We often get asked by candidates how to go about networking with students and alums to learn more about the MBA programs that interest them. This is an important question – it is imperative to learn about the business schools that you are planning to apply to in order to demonstrate fit, and firsthand accounts from people who have actually gone through the programs can be incredibly helpful in that regard. In particular, you can often get invaluable insight from students and alums that you cannot get by perusing a school’s website.
So, what are the different channels through which you can go about reaching out to current MBA students and alums?
Tap into your personal network
As you are likely already doing, your personal network is a great place to start. If you know people personally (e.g., family, friends, colleagues) who have attended the MBA programs that you would like to learn more about, ask them about their experiences. These conversations are usually very insightful since the people whom who know personally will be the most honest about what they liked about their programs as well as what some of the drawbacks may have been. You can even ask them to put you in touch with others in their network who have gone to the MBA programs that you are considering, and therefore, gain even more perspective.
Tap into each school directly
Another avenue to learn more about MBA programs, especially if you do not know anyone who has gone down the business school path, is to tap into each school directly to speak with current students. Many schools offer opportunities to get to know them through channels such as on-campus school visits, info sessions (both virtual and on-campus), and webinars. These sessions are often hosted by current students, so come prepared to ask questions!
Beyond this, another way in which you can speak with students is through conferences and clubs. Often, conferences that students organize (such as finance, tech, or women in business conferences) are open to the broader public; attending these conferences is not only a great way to network, but also to learn about a topic of interest. In addition, if there is a particular club at a school that you are especially interested in, you can reach out to the officers of the club to request a 10-15 minute chat to hear about their experiences firsthand.
Tap into LinkedIn
LinkedIn is another helpful channel to contact students and alums if no one in your personal network has earned an MBA degree. However, instead of sending out cold requests to connect (which is likely to result in no response), we would suggest reaching out to MBA students and alums whom you have something in common with; for instance, search for MBA students and alums on LinkedIn who may have attended the same college or worked at the same companies as you. Establishing that connection when you reach out to them will increase the odds that you will get a positive response.
If we can help you in your MBA journey, feel free to peruse our website to learn more about how we work with clients to maximize their chances of admission!
About Ivy Groupe:
Ivy Groupe is a boutique MBA admissions consulting company founded by Shaifali Aggarwal, who has been recognized as a top MBA admissions consultant by Business Insider and Poets & Quants. She received her MBA from Harvard Business School and undergraduate degree from Princeton University. Shaifali’s philosophy focuses on authenticity and storytelling to help clients craft compelling and differentiated applications that stand out. With this approach, Shaifali’s clients have gained admission to top-tier MBA programs such as Harvard, Stanford, Wharton, Kellogg, MIT, Columbia, Booth, Tuck, and Yale, among others.
Click on the links to learn more about our company and how you can work with us to maximize your chances of gaining admission to the MBA programs of your choice.
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