This blog post is part of our "Application Insider" blog post series that provides insider information, tips, and advice about applying to the UCLA Anderson MBA program.
APPLICATION INSIDER TOPIC:
RESEARCHING MBA PROGRAMS
As application deadlines for many MBA programs are approaching, how do you begin to narrow down the schools you are applying to? There are a variety of ways you can research MBA programs and as someone on the other side of the process, there are numerous ways someone like myself reaches out to prospective students like you!
Web Resources
The first place to research programs is through websites like ours. The website will have plenty of information pertaining to the admissions process, curriculum plans, student life, and career placement data. Taking a deep dive into our program’s website will give you a good feel about what we are looking for in our students and if the program will fit your needs. UCLA Anderson has a blog in addition to various social media accounts like Twitter and Instagram for you to check out to get first person insights on who we are. In addition, if you would like to stay in touch, fill out an inquiry form to find out about happenings around campus and when we'll be in a city near you.
School Visits
If you’re up for it, just about every school will have some type of campus experience program. They can be something short like an information session or a class visit or something with more robust programming like an open house where you can learn more about the program through networking with faculty, administration, and current students. Speaking of open houses, UCLA Anderson will have our Access Anderson event on Saturday, October 13th. Taking a trip to campus (if you can) may be ideal to determine if the school and its surrounding environment is a place you'll want to immerse yourself in for two years.
MBA Fairs & School Events Around the Globe
If you’re not in the area or if it’s not feasible for you to visit a school, admissions officers like myself will travel around the world to meet with you and introduce our programs. We usually travel from the summer months through early fall. UCLA Anderson does this in two ways: The first way we travel to meet prospective students is through fairs sponsored by partner organizations such as the MBA Tour, Centre Court, and Forte Forum to name a few. In these events, a number of schools will be tabling and looking to help you learn more about their programs. This is a very economical way to learn about many programs and schools in one afternoon and there are usually many admissions officers, current students, and alumni on hand to answer your questions. The second way we travel is to host UCLA Anderson Information Events in various cities across the world. Here you will learn about the program through an admissions officer, listen to an alumni panel from graduates residing in that particular city, and lastly network with alumni, admissions, and other prospective students.
Networking
The final way to research a program is to look within your own networks. You might have colleagues or friends who have gone through a specific program or they might know someone who has and they are typically a great resource for information and can share their experiences.
The above list is only a sample of the many different things you can do to research MBA programs. However, by partaking in just some of the above action-items, you'll successfully equip yourself with key information and insights that may be able to help you decide where to apply and ultimately, which school offer to accept.
Check back for more "Application Insider" blog posts that will cover information and tips on the many aspects of applying to the UCLA Anderson MBA program!
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