Guide to Getting the Most from Your MBA Campus Visit
In that same blog post, Wells also lists what types of questions you should ask an Admissions representative:
- Specific: The question is specific to you, the school, experience, coursework, etc. When you are meeting individually with the AdCom, you can ask questions about your specific application. For example, “I don’t come from a quantitative undergraduate background. Outside of the GMAT, how can I demonstrate quantitative proficiency?”
- Poised: You are inquiring in a poised and professional manner that does not appear demanding, specifically comparative to other schools you are looking at, or uninformed.
- Accurate: You are asking questions about information that is fact-based, not based on rumor. For example, “I hear grade disclosure makes your students more competitive in nature with one another. Is that true?” is not a good lead-in.
- Reasonable: Do not demand to meet with the AdCom and then have nothing to ask, this can hurt your application! If you are able to schedule time with them, have 3-5 prepared questions as well as some solid introductory conversation regarding your thoughts on the school.
- Keen: Your questions are energetic, you appear eager, and lively. AdComs meet with countless students daily—be the enthusiastic source that they can draw energy from to remember you by.
Next up is my classroom visit — what should I be looking out for?
If you were able to schedule a visit that incorporates sitting in on a class that’s in session, that’s a huge plus. Attending a real life class gives you an opportunity to see, first hand, how professors interact with their students and what typical coursework looks like. Also keep an eye on how fellow students interact with each other. While doing so, pay careful attention to how MBA students interact with one another and to the student-professor dynamic.
An article on mbaprepschool.com suggests taking note of the following:
“Do you have a sense that students go out of their way to promote each other’s success or out of their way to promote their own? Is there a sense of inclusiveness? Do students seem engaged in class and eager to participate or are they checking their emails and more interested in their iPhones?”
After sitting in on a class, go up to a few students and engage with them. Explain to them that you’re considering this school and are visiting to get a feel for the community and campus. Ask them why they chose this particular school and what they like — and dislike — about it. Current students with no agenda (i.e. salary from the school) can provide the most honest and important feedback for you.
Any other tips, odds or ends that I should look into?
- Stop by the institutes, centers and open lectures that constitute the program’s resources within your focus area.
- Look closely at the career placement resources available and the students’ use of those resources.
- Tap into your personal network to see if you know any current students in the business college or another college within the university you’ll be visiting.
- Be sure that you have your travel plans and hotel reservations set in advance and that you’ve taken off of work.
- Create an itinerary that allows you to explore the MBA program as well as the metro that your university calls home.
About the Author
Max Pulcini
Max Pulcini is a Philadelphia-based writer and reporter. He has an affinity for Philly sports teams, Super Smash Bros. and cured meats and cheeses. Max has written for Philadelphia-based publications such as Spirit News, Philadelphia City Paper, and Billy Penn, as well as national news outlets like The Daily Beast.
