So, You too want a career enhancement . . . The MBA way!!!

My hello to all aspirant friends!

You might have known this earlier but have you studied this carefully . . . No? . Take a moment, read this and yes invest in your future – The MBA.

Every person has his/her own reasons to pursue a graduate degree in business. You will not only gain an enhanced degree for your resume but also a set of business skills and the confidence to become a go-getter.

Now, think practically and start the daunting . . Yes! A daunting task for your dream school. The process of finding the right school and application can be hard for even working professionals with more than couple of years of experience. You have a different reason to enroll and there is a different MBA program for you. Remember! This is also going to be a costly affair.

Start your search. Your first resource can be numerous business school rankings. US news, business week and financial times can be some useful sources. Rankings are based on factors like average scores on the Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT), acceptance rate of the school, average undergraduate scores of the enrolled students, tuition fee, type of programs offered (full time or executive) and average salary upon graduation etc. These rankings vary slightly from year to year. You can use rankings to ignore the schools that definitely do not fit your needs.

The application process would be exhausting and expensive, so choose your schools meticulously. You should keep in mind certain things like your financial situation. If finance is a constraint, speak with the admission officers and current students to evaluate the options for financial aid/scholarships. There can be many sources based on need, GMAT scores, undergraduate grades or some cumulative factors. You should carefully evaluate the return you expect from your investment over one/two years.

You should contact current students or alumni. They will give you unbiased opinion about the school, program and job opportunities upon graduation. You can also get first hand information about the industry you want to join after your MBA. They will also help you understand the criteria that companies look for while hiring students from that school for internship and full time positions.

Location of the school and community in which it is located are important. Look for a school that fits your personal style and environmental preference.

Remember to remember:

• Evaluate your goals and strengths.
• Get in touch with the school authorities, current students and alumni.
• Think about your personal considerations: will it be a regular 2 year program or an executive degree? Are you willing to relocate a more expensive state?

Let the game begin !