5 Things You Need to Know Before Attending an MBA Fair
MBA Fair events provide an opportunity for candidates to efficiently learn about a variety of MBA offerings. Some Fairs might include as many as a hundred programs, in a trade fair type setting. We’re offering five pointers in terms of the best way to use these events as part of your application strategy.
1. Come prepared
Events that include multiple MBA programs can be overwhelming. The natural inclination is to come away from the event with as much information as possible, which can mean, visiting as many schools as possible, to gather that information. This approach really means you will end up knowing little about any of the programs. It’s much better to do your online research first. Go to the event’s web page. Look closely at the list of schools attending, and do your initial research online, narrowing down a list of target schools. Know your career goals and objectives for pursuing the MBA, and come to the event prepared to talk to each of your selected schools about those goals.
2. Bring a notepad
While it would seem obvious, take lots of notes during the event. Summarize your conversation with each of the schools you meet with. You might find yourself returning to a school, later in the day, after your knowledge of the MBA program space evolves, through your various discussions with the different school’s admissions teams. Your notes from the event will be useful as you draft your application essays, they also may prove an important guide for your interview preparation.
3. Don’t monopolize
You may need to wait a few minutes to talk to a specific school, especially one of the more popular ones. When it’s your turn, ask thoughtful questions (see point 1), don’t just try to get unnecessary facetime. You will annoy the admissions officer if you do this. Rarely will you be able to make a positive impression during an MBA admissions fair, but the reverse is not true. You can easily leave a bad impression, and this might get noted.
4. Dress appropriately
If you feel comfortable in a suit, feel free to wear a suit. If you feel comfortable wearing business casual dress, that’s good too. Don’t attend a fair in your beach wear, shorts and a T-shirt. Again, you don’t want to leave a negative impression. Look like you fit in, not stand out.
5. Collect contact information and follow up
Most admissions officers will have their contact information available for interested candidates to collect. Make sure you do this. Follow up with the admissions officer within 24 hours. Your follow up should include a thank you for their time, as well as some acknowledgment of the specific conversation you had. You will be helped in this endeavour by the note taking you did during the MBA fair (point 2.)
MBA Applywire
Chemical Engineering Bachelors and Masters (3.44 and 3.88 respectively)
Currently mentoring entry level engineers as well.
Worried about transition from a more engineering field to consulting and how the masters impacts admission odds
Background:
24F, Indian
GPA - 7.5 from a Tier 1 Indian college
Participated in CBSE Swimming nationals, and won medals in relay
Took part in badminton clusters
Was part of the prefectorial body in which we welcomed delegates from all around the world
Took part in a NASA program wherein we visited the Johnson Space Centre in Houston
College:
Not good GPA but can defend it
Part of college badminton team and won many laureates
Got bronze in an inter-collegiate tournament as the women’s badminton team captain. And created history as this wasn’t achieved before by any woman’s badminton team
Was the sportswoman of the year for my college
Was part of the incubation center management team of the college. Was part of the strategic relations team (where we almost got Steve Wozniak to deliver a speech) and was the event management team lead
Work Experience:
3yrs Software eng/ quant experience in a top investment bank (front office and back office Eng roles)
Got a promotion
Lead a 2months intern project
What are my chances for the above colleges for a MBA and can I expect any scholarship?
Should I retake the test? Planning to apply in R1
Two-time founder (marketing agency during undergrad, then a fintech post-graduation), ex-Kearney consulting, currently on the founding team of a boutique financial consulting firm. Based in Pakistan, 29. Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree. Undergrad from LUMS (top business school in Pakistan) with a 2.91 GPA, which I know is my main weakness.
Targeting HBS, Stanford, and MIT Sloan for R1. I'm aware these are reaches given my GPA. GRE is in progress, currently retaking to push into the 315 to 320 range with a strong quant score to offset the academic profile.
Post-MBA goal is to scale into senior operating or founder roles in fintech and financial services, building on my consulting and startup background.
GMAT/GRE waiver, realistically what are my chances? I have 4 major exercises and 1 deployment. The reason for the waiver is time constraints as I am currently deployed.
I'm a dentist from India exploring international MBA programs and would appreciate some advice from people who have either gone through a similar transition or have experience with MBA admissions and outcomes.
My long-term goal is to move into the healthcare/healthtech ecosystem, potentially in areas such as healthcare consulting, product management, healthcare strategy, or healthtech startups. I am particularly interested in leveraging my clinical background rather than moving into a completely unrelated field.
I'm currently evaluating MBA programs in Europe and Asia (Singapore, Japan, HongKong)
For context, I have a GMAT Focus score of 575 with 4 years of work ex within the clinical and corporate side of the healthcare sector
MBA LiveWire
Frustrating that no feedback is given. Felt like I had a great profile/ fit for the program. Good luck to anyone else still waiting