Finding the Right Fit

It is hard to believe, but now is the time to begin planning for the fall 2016 admissions cycle for the full time MBA program. If you are planning to enroll next fall or just stumbled onto this blog today, here are three first steps to get your ready in your journey towards a graduate business degree:

1. Register for the GMAT exam.

The GMAT is a nec

essary evil for MBA programs to best evaluate a student for admissions. With many difference grading schema and GPA calculations from various undergraduate institutes, the GMAT is the constant that all can be compared. I would suggest allowing 3-4 months of prep time before taking the exam as it is a considerable investment of time and money ($250 test fee). Also, planning in advance will allow you to take the GMAT again if you are not happy with your first try. Look for reference and prep materials by going to www.mba.com, the same website where you will register for the exam.

2. Begin collecting MBA data from school and other websites.

Choosing to go to graduate school is a very important decision and not one to be taken lightly. You are preparing to invest a great deal of time (1 to 2 years) and money to grow your knowledge base in a particular field. Many schools offer the opportunity to earn an MBA, but you need to find the right fit for you. Location, financial aid, rankings, cohort size, career services, and placement are just a few areas to consider when making the decision. Start by broadly browsing through a number of options. Spend several hours during this time to review these websites to try and find the MBA culture of each school you are interested in attending.

3. Find a Campus Contact.

Once you have reviewed several schools and narrowed down your list of potential suitors, reach out to each of those programs and find a campus contact. This person will be the eyes and ears on the ground for learning more about the type of program you will be pursuing. At Auburn, this person is our admissions advisor, Ms. Julie Vaught. Julie is a great resource to learn more about applying, graduate assistantships, and a full overview of the program. Connecting with Julie will showcase the Auburn MBA program to see if our school is the best fit for you.

We understand that this is a big choice. Our goal is to help you make the right choice.

War Eagle!

For more information, watch the video below: