Visiting campus in person is still one of the best ways to research MBA programs, but doing so does require an investment of time and money. So, before you book your trip to HBS, Stanford, Wharton, Northwestern Kellogg, Chicago Booth, Columbia, or MIT Sloan—or any of the many top MBA programs out there—consider these ten tips to make the most of your MBA campus visits:
1. Start the conversation right.
The school visit is an opportunity for you to get to know the school, but it is also an opportunity for the school to get to know you. Think of it as a conversation. Show up having done your research. Understand what the school values and how you connect with those values. Go there only if you have an honest interest in the school. The admissions committee does not give you credit just for showing up; a visit must be meaningful to both you and them.
2. Speak to the right people.
Yes, everyone wants to speak to the dean of admissions, but that appointment is hard to get—and this approach may not actually be the most effective. Most schools have an admissions contact for each region of the world and the United States, and this is the person who can make or break your admissions decision. Figure out who manages admissions decisions for your location! This individual will be the one with the most influence in reviewing your candidacy.
3. Work on your plan.
Your scheduled meetings with a campus contact will last 30 minutes or less. Therefore, be sure to set clear goals for these meetings. Review the school website in detail so that you can ask more in-depth questions. For example, after reading about Northwestern Kellogg’s MMM program, you could ask more specific questions about the Business Innovation Lab, which is a capstone experience in that program.
4. Talk to students.
The only way to really get to know an MBA program beyond the marketing material is by talking to actual students and hearing what they like and do not like about the school. Are these things that you will like? Good people to connect with are students who share your background or lead the clubs you would like to join. Track down their contact information (most MBA programs now list contact information for student ambassadors and club leaders on their website) and see if you can set up meetings to get coffee and learn about their experiences and how you might fit in.
5. Plan your schedule.
Timing your visit correctly can help you maximize your experience at the school. What days are classes in session? You do not want to show up when students are taking exams or are away on break. Are there dedicated events or special weekend open houses that might interest you? Perhaps you could visit when a student club is hosting a conference that aligns with your goals. Many MBA programs offer special-event weekends geared toward women, underrepresented minorities, veterans, members of the LGBTQIA+ communities, and others. While it is not ideal to visit in the summer, since most students are not on campus, it could still be worth the trip if the school is hosting a specific event. Dartmouth Tuck has offered open-house events in the summer that have been a valuable way for prospective students to learn a lot about the school’s program.
6. Use all your senses.
When visiting a campus, use all five of your senses to get a feel for the program. Observe how students interact with each other. Do these seem like “your people”? Are there inviting spaces for students to gather and collaborate? Sit in the chairs! Are they comfortable? Could you imagine yourself working on projects here? How did you feel during the class you attended? Are the teaching methods aligned with your learning style? Did you enjoy the lunch options that were served in the cafeteria when you visited? It may seem like a small thing, but if you attend a program and all you can find for lunch options are pizza and sandwiches—and you are gluten-free—then this could actually turn into something that impacts your overall experience in a program. Additionally, if a program says that social impact and sustainability matter and yet you see no evidence of having local or sustainably sourced food in the cafeteria, this might give you an idea of how deeply the school values this commitment.
7. Go beyond the classroom.
Make connections through affinity clubs such as the Veteran’s Club or the Women’s Business Association, where you will find students with shared interests. You are not just going to school in this new place; you are going to live there, too. Investigate food options both on and off campus! You may find a great local farmer’s market or a vibrant restaurant scene that will make your time in the program more enjoyable. Likewise, consider the extracurricular and sports options if these are important to you. If you love skiing, you may enjoy a program like Dartmouth Tuck, which offers easy options to ski on the weekends.
8. Make it fun.
Spending a quick couple of hours on campus rarely provides you with the insight you need to decide if you really want to live in a place for two years. Consider making your MBA program visits something of a vacation: stay overnight, enjoy the nightlife in and around campus, and tour around a bit. This is a great opportunity to visit Boston (HBS and MIT Sloan), Chicago (Chicago Booth and Northwestern Kellogg), San Francisco (Stanford and Berkeley Haas), Los Angeles (UCLA Anderson and USC Marshall), or North Carolina (UNC Kenan-Flagler and Duke Fuqua).
9. Consider the needs of your significant other.
Reach out to Partners’ Club programs so that you and your significant other can find out about life at this school for students with partners and families. Consider employment options for your significant other if this is important to them. If your significant other is a banker, for example, they may find more options in a big city like New York or Boston rather than a more rural location. (However, with increased remote work options, this may not be as big of a factor as it used to be.)
10. Follow up.
Thank the students and staff who have spent their time sharing information with you. Look for ways to build these relationships by providing any additional information related to your conversations that could be useful to the people you met during your visit.
The spring semester is an excellent time to plan these trips, as all the students will have experienced at least one semester in the program. With Round 1 deadlines coming in September or even earlier, there will not be enough time to make a campus visit in the fall before those dates.
Not sure where to start? Need help unpacking your experiences to date and figuring out what path you want to take? Sign up for a free 30-minute consultation with one of our Stratus MBA admissions experts.