CONSIDERING EARNING AN MBA? 5 TIPS TO HELP YOU PREPARE

You may not have thought about how to prepare once you’ve made your decision.

There are things to consider and five practical measures you can do to get ready for day one, whether you want to attend an intense, two-year residential programme or go part-time to a neighbouring school.

HOW DO I GET READY FOR AN MBA?

1. Speak with current and former students and alumni.

Speak with acquaintances who have attended business school, as well as those who are currently enrolled or recent alumni of your chosen programme.

While the admissions office can arrange for campus tours and introductions, existing students may be simpler to reach on LinkedIn or Instagram. Students and recent graduates are undoubtedly ecstatic about their accomplishments and have shared them on social media.

2. Read a lot of books

Because problem-solving and leadership abilities are so important in a Distance MBA programme, you may wish to brush up on your knowledge in those areas by reading. Essentials of HBS Online Management Professor Joe Fuller told Business Insider about a few of the books he recommends to his students.

3. Begin by warming up

You might want to consider taking an online business school primer if you’ve taken a break after graduating from college or if you studied liberal arts and feel like you’re at a disadvantage.

There are millions of courses available, but HBS Online provides a three-course preparatory programme called the Credential of Readiness, or CORe, that was created particularly to assist people preparing for an MBA. CORe consists of three courses: Financial Accounting, Economics for Managers, and Business Analytics, all of which are taught by HBS professors. You can pick between a 10-week programme or a 17-week programme, depending on how much time you have to devote to courses each week.

4. Decide on a focus

Many business schools are recognised for particular strengths, such as entrepreneurship, marketing, or international business, which might help you narrow down your options. Most provide concentrations or specialisations as well.

It’s critical to determine the speciality you want to pursue based on your professional goals. Your elective options will be influenced by this decision, as well as your ability to take advantage of on-campus recruiter visits. Many colleges begin recruiting in the autumn, so picking your specialisation early will allow you to get a head start on locating the proper internships.

5. Mentally prepare yourself

Most candidates for business school anticipate a tough academic curriculum that would be intellectually difficult, but they may not anticipate the social demands of the programme. Many former MBA students think that the social components of the programme are almost as important as what you learn in class.

Knowing what to expect ahead of time will aid mental preparation. Get plenty of rest to ensure you’re ready for the intellectual and social rigours of business school