Five Tips on How to Select The Right B School

Author: Preeth PM

At times, the option of choice can be as tricky an affair as the lack of it. Nowhere is this more true than in the selection of the right business school. For many, the ‘Which B school do I select?' question is as profound and complicated as ‘What is the meaning of life?' would have been to Eastern philosophers. But believe me, it is not that complicated after all. Here a few simple things to remember when presented with the luxury of choice.

• In real estate, if there is one thing that is more important than any oth er it is location, location, location. In a similar vein, when it comes to selecting the right school, there is no real substitute to doing research, research, research. In today's times, information is everywhere. Read up on the internet, talk to alumni, visit the school, do anything but be informed.

• There is nothing like knowing what you want. So ask yourself those tough questions - ‘Do I really like numbers?'; ‘Would I be happy waking up every morning to sales targets?'; ‘Would having every 2 meals out of 3 in an airplane be my definition of success?' Work on your resume if it helps. The answer to these seemingly tough questions might sometimes have the answers.

• Make the tough choices if it gets to that. If you have figured it out that you are born for marketing and get an admit from the best business school for finance, let it pass. There is reward in making the tough choices; and in following your true calling.

• Remember rankings are rankings and what is best in the world might not be the best for you. Neither is what is best for your friends, the best bet for you. Be judicious about ratings, rankings and peer choices. It will do you good.

• Be sure about what you want from your business education. If it is a quantum jump in your designation, so be it. If it is a paradigm shift in career, well enough. Choose your school based on whether it has a track record of delivering this. Very often, people dissatisfied with their MBA experience are those who have failed to manage these expectations.

Concluding remark: Business education at the end of it is not the only road to glory. Every wondered which business school Mark Zuckerberg, Bill Gates or Steve Jobs went to?

About the author: Preeth is a freelance columnist and has mentored many B-school applicants

Date: 10th February, 2011

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