How To Impress Admission Officers During MBA Admission Events

It is that time of the year when Business Schools all over the world send their Admission Officers on a multi-city or multi-country tour in search for the right type of candidates for the various MBA programs on offer.

For the aspirants, the question is how to make use of such events to advance their study and career goals. More importantly, steps to be taken to create a good impression on the admission officers and the alumni to land you a seat in a program and school of your choice.

MBA Tour session generally comprise three parts, a presentation by the Business School, question and answer session by admission officer or representatives and alumni besides networking.

So, a little bit of preparation is necessary.

1. Do Your Homework

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Start by gathering at least basic information about the Schools, the various programs on offer, the faculty, scholarships, placements and other facilities by visiting the official websites.

2. Bring Out the Note Pad

Get a notepad to jot down the questions you may want to ask the admission officer or representative. The questions could range from the curriculum, teaching methodology, funding and flexibility, Career opportunities post MBA and job placement trends among the alumni.

A point to remember is to avoid general questions. Bring in the necessary background and the right context. For example, state your background and MBA goals. If planning to switch career, ask whether the plans are feasible.

If any of the questions you had noted down was asked by some other participant, do not repeat it just for the sake of posing a question.

3. Dress Up for the Occasion

You have to create an impression of being a serious candidate. So choose such clothing that you would wear for an interview. Reach the venue in advance so that you could find out about the program schedule, the schools participating and most important, meet the alumni.

 The alumni would help you gain a better understanding of the various aspects of student life and career prospects besides networking opportunities.

4. A Code of Conduct

Keep that smile on your face while meeting the admission officers or representatives. Greet them with a firm handshake and make eye contact.

Be relaxed and spend some time on chit chat to build up the essential rapport. Build a conversation around the questions that you are asking.  Be inquisitive but specific. Listen carefully to their questions and answers.

Note down the representative’s name or refer to their name tag. This will help you network, establish a rapport and follow-up after the tour.

Show assurance through certainty in your voice. Avoid using filler words such as ‘um’, ‘like’ and ‘you know’. Remember that often body language can betray you. Do not fidget, play with your hair or rock from side to side.

ALSO READ: Tackling INSEAD MBA Admission Interviews

Make use of the notepad to jot all the details collected and about the next steps to be taken. However, do not spend all time in note taking. Also, be aware that you may have to remain on your feet for a long time while collecting the information. So take steps necessary, including refreshments, to avoid mental or physical exhaustion.

5. Avoid Such Behaviour

Admission officers are engaged in a stressful selection process of the right type of candidate amid a hectic tour schedule. They are not amused by those who occupy the front row only to remain fully engaged with their mobile phones and paying no attention to the proceedings.

Then, there are others who have not even bothered to do basic research either about the School or about the program they intend to pursue.

6. Gains from MBA Tour

Those aspirants who manage to create a good impression on the admission officer and the alumni stand to get an offer or even the ways and means for a scholarship to smoothen their way to earning the coveted degree. (Image Courtesy : en.kremlin.ru)