MBA Admissions Tip: Considering the Campus
There are many factors that go into deciding whether to apply to a specific school, one of which is the physical place where you’ll be spending 1-2 years. Whether speaking with current students or touring the campus for yourself, it’s helpful to approach these information-gathering experiences with as clear a sense of what matters to you as possible.
Factors to consider about a business school’s campus:
1. Facilities
Are state-of-the-art classrooms and impressive new architecture a priority for you? Would you prefer a school that is headquartered in a single building to one spread over a larger campus? What about use of technology in teaching? If any of these factors are of significant importance and could tip the balance between schools on your list of target programs, you’ll want to do this sort of research up front.
If you decide to visit your target schools’ campuses yourself, we’d recommend that you take pictures or write up your thoughts after the fact while your impression is still fresh in your mind.
2. Surroundings
In addition to the campus itself, you’ll want to allow yourself some time to ask about and explore the larger city, town or rural location. Where do students live, eat and socialize? What is the cost of living? How do they get from place to place (parking or public transit may be an issue)? Are you interested in an active night life, or a wholesome place to raise a family? While considerations of academics and post-graduation career prospects generally take priority, you will be spending two years of your life in business school, and these more subtle factors can often tip the balance in favor of a certain program when all other elements are more or less equal.
3. Atmosphere
Along with the campus and its location comes a certain culture or climate. Are students generally competitive or collaborative? Do students tend to socialize before or after class, or do they go their separate ways? How closely knit are learning teams, sections, clusters and cohorts, and what are the relationships among them? How strong are the bonds among classmates, and the ties between past and present students? This questions point to the often elusive issue of “fit.” The pervasive atmosphere that informs interactions among your peers will undoubtedly make a significant impact on your business school experience, so it’s important to get a sense of this by speaking with current students and/or visiting the school.
MBA Admissions Academy
Episode 1: How to choose target schools for application
MBA Applywire
Background: Pakistani male currently based in Tokyo, Japan
Academics:
Undergraduate degree from a leading university in Pakistan
GPA: 3.44
GRE: 334
Professional experience:
I began my career at a global research and expert network firm in Pakistan, where I supported quantitative research for major strategy consulting firms. My work included designing and delivering surveys for projects involving market entry, commercial due diligence, and growth strategy. I progressed into a team leadership role, managing research delivery and junior colleagues.
I later joined the Japan business of a large multinational consumer goods company and relocated from Pakistan to Tokyo following my professional progression. I currently work in category and consumer insights, supporting portfolio and investment decisions for a smoke free product business. My responsibilities include translating consumer behavior, market trends, and competitor activity into recommendations for senior management. I also manage our qualitative research budget, oversee external research agencies, and lead three analysts.
International exposure:
I have worked with consulting clients across international markets and have experience working for the Japanese market both remotely from Pakistan and in person after relocating to Tokyo. My professional experience has required me to adapt to a new country, business environment, and language while influencing cross functional decisions.
Community involvement:
I volunteer with a rural development organization in Pakistan, contributing to grant proposals and conducting workshops for small agribusiness owners on business planning, cost management, pricing, and digitization. This work is personally meaningful because of my family’s roots in the region.
Post MBA goal:
My immediate goal is to join the consumer products practice of a leading strategy consulting firm in the United States. Over the longer term, I want to build a consulting firm that gives small and medium sized consumer goods businesses across South Asia the evidence and strategic support needed to compete with larger companies and scale sustainably.
Target programs:
Tuck, Ross, Cornell, Yale, Kellogg, CBS
Questions for reviewers:
How competitive is my profile for these programs?
Is my school list appropriately balanced?
Which aspects of my profile should I emphasize most strongly?
Undergrad in managerial economics GPA 3.6, and masters in applied economics GPA 3.7. Over 5 years in economic consulting for mid-tier firms. Recent involuntary departure from last firm. Somewhat worried about letters of rec given that circumstance. Want to pivot into corporate side like strategic finance, probably in tech or maybe energy.
Nationality: Ghanaian
Current Location: Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire
Industry: Banking & Financial Services
Current Role: Finance
Years of Experience: 6 years
Education: BSc Accounting; MSc Business Consulting & Enterprise Risk Management
GRE: 332/340
A Ghanaian finance professional with six years of experience across the Telecommunication, Fintech, Reinsurance and Banking sectors. Currently based in Abidjan, working in finance control a within a leading bank.
Previously worked in the reinsurance industry, gaining experience across fixed asset accounting, staff debtor reconciliations, bank reconciliations, financial reporting, statutory payments, and internal controls. Was also selected by the Director of Finance to serve on a committee responsible for updating the organization's accounting manual, providing valuable exposure to accounting processes, controls, and organizational improvement.
Beyond professional experience, has demonstrated a strong commitment to community impact. Since 2020, has worked with friends through a community initiative providing food to underserved communities and street hawkers across Ghana, reaching more than 6,000 people. Has also participated in community development and school improvement projects.
Holds a bachelor's degree in Accounting and is pursuing graduate-level studies in Business Consulting and Enterprise Risk Management.
An MBA will provide me with the opportunity to build stronger capabilities in strategy, leadership, and financial management while transitioning from technical finance roles into broader leadership positions in banking and financial services. The long-term goal is to combine finance expertise, strategic thinking, and leadership to contribute to the growth and development of Africa's financial sector.