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What Questions Should Ask When Interviewing an MBA Program?

//What Questions Should Ask When Interviewing an MBA Program?
What Questions Should Ask When Interviewing an MBA Program? 2014-05-10T03:10:03+00:00

Choosing the best possible business school is important, and because of this, you should have a long list of MBA program interview questions to ask prior to selecting where you will attend. When you are studying to become an MBA, you want to know that the curriculum is designed to teach you principles and theories while still focusing on real world situations. Not all MBA programs are created equal, and this is why conducting interviews with admissions counselors is so very important for students who want to gain as much as possible from attending business school. As you compare schools, here are some important admissions interview questions that you should always ask at the end of your interview to show that you are serious about making the best decision:

Who Are the Faculty Members and What Type of Experience Do They Have?

If you possess an undergraduate degree, you know from experience that a college course is only as good as its faculty. If you have a passionate professor who has dedicated their professional life to the field, you are much more likely to become passionate about a subject than you would with a lack-luster faculty member commuting to class simply to earn a paycheck. You should ask the admissions dean about the full-time and part-time faculty members and how they specialize in a specific area of study. By choosing a program dedicated to choosing faculty members who were at the top of their class, you can get more from business school.

How Does the Program Incorporate Hands-on Learning Into the Curriculum?

Do you want to sit in a classroom listening to lectures throughout your entire MBA career, or would you prefer learning opportunities that are more geared towards hands-on learners? Studies show that MBA’s tend to perform much better when the program integrates hands-on projects with the curriculum. Give yourself the opportunity to make the most of attending school by picking a program with hands-on integration if you want the best focus on experiential learning.

Is There a Competitive or a Collaborative Culture?

You may not know exactly what type of environment is best for you as you are applying to school, but distinguishing between competitive and collaborative environments is important. What type of learner are you? What work environment is most comfortable to you? Would you prefer to work as a team or do you like working independently? Are you the type of student who likes a challenge, or are you more focused on being part of a larger support system? Some schools focus on creating a very supportive environment, and others schools have much more rigorous and challenging classes for the competitive student.

Studies show that the greatest return on investment for MBA students is attained when students attend one of the top MBA schools. While the value of the MBA degree has changed over time, the degree can still be valuable when you take time to choose a program that ranks highly and still caters to your needs as a student. With the average salary of MBA grads at top schools coming in at $145,000, you can see how important it is to interview schools. Make sure you have a list of MBA program interviews questions to ask, and get all of the important answers.

For more information on earning a MBA degree, please see “The 20 Most Affordable Top-Ranked Business Schools and MBA Programs“.