Advise to Students Interested in Pursuing a Master’s in Business Administration (MBA)

The following dos and don’ts when applying to MBA programs are adopted from Natalia Rozanova’s feature article in the January 2010 issue of EducationUSA Connections. Current and past issues can be found at http://educationusaconnections.iienetwork.org/.  

Application Process:

Do ask yourself three important questions: Why business education? Why now? Why in the United States? Before
selecting schools, make sure you have clear ideas of your future career plans and have solid reasons for starting the
process.

Do identify the criteria that are important to you. Go beyond school reputation and career placement. Look closely at
program curriculum, teaching style, campus setting, etc. Rankings should play a nominal role.

Do look at class profiles available on institutions’ web sites. This will help you get an idea of what type of student was
accepted in the past, and enable you to evaluate your own chances for admission.

Do use social networking tools such as Facebook, Twitter, Digg, LinkedIn, and YouTube, as well as blogs to learn inside
information about business schools.

Do check the Educational Advising Center’s webpage for information about upcoming educational advising events.

Do not ignore web chats that many business schools arrange near application deadlines. Students have found these
very helpful.

Admission Requirements:

Do look carefully at the application requirements of each program you are considering well before the application
deadlines. Beside test scores and transcripts, many require personal essays, letters of recommendation, academic
transcripts, and application fees.

Do pay close attention to all parts of the application package. Everything is important including the form itself. Focus
on the admission essays—business schools may require up to six! These are a very important part of the application.

Budget and Financial Aid:

Do look for schools that offer financial aid and/or loans to international students.

Do not expect to have 100% of your educational expenses covered. Much of financial aid is in the form of loans.

Do make sure you have enough money to study in the U.S. Though you may be able to find a part-time job on campus,
you will not earn enough money to pay for tuition.

Educational Advising Center, U.S. Embassy Yaounde, http://yaounde.usembassy.gov, YaoundeEDU@state.gov