An essential part of the process when you apply for an MBA is events. On or off campus, formal or informal, in-person MBA admission events are opportunities for applicants to connect with current students and alumni, sit in on classes, meet the admissions team, and take campus tours. Many schools’ second-round deadlines are days away while programs take a semester break. There are virtual chats and webinars available, and there are still in-person events for prospective students to meet administration team members, current students, and tour campuses. Here’s what’s scheduled for January.
Why attend MBA events?
More than just another step in the process you want to check off your list, this is where you can assess for yourself whether a school or program is the right fit for you and will set you on the career path you really want. This is where you’re going to get your questions answered, network with other potential members of your cohort and recently graduated professionals, understand the program structure, and get a feel for the school culture.
It’s also an opportunity to make an impression on the admissions committee. Unlike online application workshops and program webinars, in-person MBA events allow applicants to be observed interacting and socializing. You’ll be expected to actively engage with the presentation and other attendees.
What to expect at an MBA event
Most schools hold a variety of MBA admissions events to accommodate the availability of all prospective applicants and reach a more diverse applicant pool. Some are more structured than others. Review the event description carefully. Some events are targeted at specific demographics or industries, and at certain times during the academic year, schools may restrict certain events to those who have submitted an application or been admitted.
Regularly scheduled campus visits are generally based around tours and may also include mock classes or class visits, student panels, a lunch or other more informal social gathering, and Q&As with the admissions team. These are good opportunities to get application tips, and some campus visits also include application workshops..
An MBA Fair is a large convention-style event where multiple schools are on hand, catering to prospective students still deciding which programs to apply to. Similar to a job fair for business schools, some of these will also have industry-leading companies and independent academic organizations in attendance. Multi-school MBA fairs will be picking back up in the spring, but there are a few you can check out now while most schools are on a break. See our list at the bottom of this month’s post.
Off-campus MBA events are often held in major cities and tend to be less formal. Here, you’ll be able to socialize with local alumni and get more insight into the school’s career services and the alumni community.
MBA admission events are generally not for walk-ins and are limited in group size. You must register for these events. Pay careful attention to the registration details, as the form will often ask for specifics about your career and program interests and present several class visit options to tailor your experience.
Regardless of how casual the MBA event you plan to attend appears, these events are rigorously organized, and you must adhere to what may be a strict program schedule. Your ability to be prompt and professional says a lot about you as an applicant.
January 2026 MBA Events
Be sure to check the schools’ calendars for updates in the coming weeks and months.
But First…Clear Admit’s Webinar Event Series Continues:
Does an MBA Still Open Doors for You? The Truth About Growth, Leadership, and What Comes Next
On January 28 at 10am EST, Clear Admit welcomes experts and faculty from IU’s Kelley School of Business for a 45-minute, moderator-led session to discuss how MBA programs are shifting to stronger analytical skills, strategic thinking, and the ability to lead through complexity. This webinar is for early- to mid-career professionals with two to eight years or more experience who are serious about an MBA program and want to understand how the right program matters for long-term career growth. Register here!
Click on the following list to jump to your target school’s in-person events coming this month:
Dartmouth Tuck
Duke Fuqua
Indiana Kelley
London Business School
Michigan Ross
MIT Sloan
NYU Stern
SMU Cox
UT Austin McCombs
UVA Darden
Washington Foster
Yale SOM
MBA Fairs
Dartmouth Tuck
Tuck Campus Visit
Hanover, NH
January 20, January 26, 2026
Designed for prospective and admitted Tuck students, campus visits include a tour and Q&A. Visits begin at 8am.
Duke Fuqua
Daytime MBA Campus Visit
Durham, NC
January 23; January 26, 2026
Campus visits at Duke Fuqua offer a variety of activities based on your interests, including a campus tour and lunch, group chat with Health Sector Management, admissions office hours, and a class visit. Select Fridays include Fuqua Friday. Visits are scheduled from 8:30am to 6pm.
Indiana Kelley
Kelley Full-Time +Flex MBA Coffee Chat
Westlake, OH, January 2; Minneapolis, MN, January 3; Cleveland, OH, January 5, 2025
Meet current students for two-to-three hour coffee chats in casual cafes. Reach out directly to student contact for your preferred day and time with any questions.
London Business School
Campus Tour with the MBA Recruitment and Admissions Team
London, UK
January 8, 2025
Designed for prospective MBA students, attendees can connect with a member of the LBS Recruitment and Admissions team or an MBA Student Ambassador for a tour around campus. Scheduled for 2 to 2:45pm
Campus Tour with an MBA Student Ambassador
London, UK
January 16, 2025
Designed for prospective MBA students, attendees can connect with a member of the Recruitment and Admissions team or an MBA Student Ambassador for a tour around campus. Scheduled for 2 to 2:45pm
Degree Programmes Open Evening
London, UK
January 22, 2025
Designed for prospective students, connect with Recruitment & Admissions team members for various degree programs and the wider LBS community at the Ratcliffe Building in Regent’s Park. Scheduled for 6 to 9pm
Michigan Ross
Michigan Ross FTMBA Campus Visit ft. Tauber Institute for Global Operations
Ann Arbor, M
January 30, 2026
Join current Ross full-time MBA students and the Admissions team, and the Tauber Institute for Global Operations for a program presentation, Ross tour, lunch and AMA with current students, a Tauber Institute, and drop-in advising with admissions. Scheduled for 10:30am to 4pm
MIT Sloan
Student Hosted Coffee Chats
Through January 31, 2026
Meet current Sloan students and other prospective applicants in interactive, small group sessions at a local coffee shop or cafe to ask questions and learn more about the MIT community. Times vary by location.
NYU Stern
Stern MBA Visit: Information Session, Tour, and Q & A
New York, NY
January 8; January 12; January 22, 2026
Take a guided tour of NYU, get an overview of the Stern MBA program, and get your questions answered. Visits are scheduled at 4:30pm.
SMU Cox
SMU Cox MBA & MS Spring Preview Day
Dallas, TX
January 31, 2026
Learn more about SMU Cox’s business programs and learn more about the admissions process. Enjoy a light breakfast, sample lecture, breakout program sessions, lunch with current students and alumni, and a campus tour. Scheduled from 8:30am to 1pm.
UT Austin McCombs
Group Chat with a Full-Time MBA Student
Buenos Aires, Argentina, January 2; New York, NY, January 2; Brooklyn, NY, January 3; Monterrey, Mexico, January 3; Austin, TX, January 3; Colorado Springs, CO, January 3; Seattle, WA, January 3; Paris, France, January 4; Campinas, Brazil, January 4; Toronto, Canada, January 5; Atlanta, GA, January 6; Miami, FL, January 8
Meet a McCombs Full-Time MBA student to discuss the program,, the application process, student life at McCombs, life in Austin, Texas. Please note that admissions staff will not be present at these events. Times vary by location.
Group Chat with Full-Time MBA Admissions
Denver, CO, January 9; Boston, MA, January 13; New York, NY, January 14; Washington, D.C., January 15; Houston, TX, January 30
Join Full-Time MBA Admissions for a group chat in a relaxed, conversational setting. Discuss application strategy, student life, or career support. Before attending the event, it is recommended that attendees either attend an info session or watch a pre-recorded session to learn more about the program.
Discover McCombs: MBA at Dallas Campus Visit
Dallas, TX
January 30; January 31, 2026
Visit campus for a Q&A with Admissions and Career Management, lunch or a chat with current students, and a class visit. Times and program vary by date. Class visit options will be available to select closer to the event.
UVA Darden
Darden Full-Time MBA Coffee Chat
Accra, Ghana, January 5; Lagos, Nigeria, January 6; Hyderabad, India, January 9 2026
Meet with a current second-year Darden MBA student for an informal gathering to learn about academics, recruiting, student life, and helpful tips for preparing a strong future application. Times vary by location.
Friday Chat and Tour
Charlottesville, VA
January 9; January 16; January 23, 2026
Join a member of the Admissions Committee for a small group chat and a tour of the Darden Grounds to learn about the application process and the case method style of learning. Scheduled from 9:30 to 10:15am.
Washington Foster
Full-time MBA Shadow Day
Seattle, WA
January 26, 2026
Visit the Foster campus for a walking tour, lunch and a Q&A with an MBA admissions counselor, and class visit. Meet and network with other prospective students and current students. Shadow Day has an AM Session that runs 9:30am to 1:30pm and a PM Session from noon to 3:30.
Yale SOM
Winter Socials
Dhaka, Bangladesh, January 2; Gainesville, FL, January 4; Seoul, South Korea, January 5; Singapore, Singapore, January 10; Milan, Italy, January 10; Boston, MA, January 10; New York, NY, January 12, 2026
Winter Socials are small, casual gatherings hosted by current Yale SOM students during their winter break. Times vary by city.
MBA Fairs, Tours, and Festivals
Access MBA
San Francisco, January 24; Los Angeles, January 25; San Diego, January 26, San Antonio, TX, January 27; Austin TX, January 28; London, UK, January 29; Houston, TX, January 29; Fort Worth, TX, January 31
Access MBA offers One-to-One Meetings with admissions directors of over two dozen top business schools (with no fee!). Event times vary and usually span four hours.
Reminder: pre-registration is generally required for MBA events. Events are subject to change, so be sure to check the schools’ websites.
