Visiting Schools

As you consider what’s important to you in an MBA program and which schools might best meet your needs, it’s a good idea to visit campuses that interest you. Most schools welcome visitors from October through April; if pos- sible, visit the school during the spring before the fall in which you apply. Obviously, the visit will help you to decide whether a school suits you. If it does, then your experience there will help you tailor your personal statement, so take copious notes during your visit. Additionally, Admissions Committees keep track of who visits; if you havevery positive (or negative) interactions with current students, professors, or admissions staff, that information can make its way into your student file. At the very least, the Admissions Committee will notice that you were interested enough to take the time to visit the school, and every little bit helps.

Do your background research before you go — look up average GPA, GMAT, demographics, and other statistics that interest you. You don’t want to ask questions with readily available answers. Then investigate the school’s reputation and specialty areas, as well as its potential weaknesses and downsides. You may also want to research clubs and other extracurricular activities at the school to get a sense for the interests of the student body.

Once you’re on campus, be sure to visit classes and speak to current students, as well as attend any official events. If you attend a class, ask the professor a very good question after class (don’t ask any random question just to ask a question — make a good impression).