Does networking with the staff, students or alumni of your target business schools help you in the admissions process? The answer is, it depends why you’re networking.
If you’re eager to meet school affiliates with the intention of influencing the admissions process, you’re likely wasting your time. Many admissions directors share openly that those types of unofficial recommendations hold no weight. (How much faith would you place in an endorsement written after a 20 minute interaction?)
So how can networking with members of the school community benefit you? By giving you insight and information that you can use in your application. What better way to understand the culture of an MBA program than to talk with its current students or recent alums. If you’re interested in a professional club on campus, its president would be a great resource to help you understand the type of programming the club offers and the ways you could get involved. Talking with local alumni can give you a great sense of a school’s community, engagement level, and continuing education and networking opportunities. Setting up a phone meeting with a faculty member to discuss a topic of mutual interest can shed light into coursework, research, or relevant campus initiatives.
Then, when writing your essays about why that school is a great fit for you, you’ll have conversations to reference. You’ll sound buttoned up and well-informed, beyond what’s written on the website. Furthermore, the extra steps you’ve taken demonstrate your passion for the program. And THAT can actually help you in the admissions process.
So, network for the right reasons, and you’ll derive great benefit: in your essays, in your interviews, even in your conversations with school representatives at MBA fairs. Your candidacy will be all the stronger for it.
[For personalized advice on MBA admissions consulting, please contact us at info@shineadmissions.com]
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