Student Life and Environment

Your first focus is on those programs that suit your academic and career goals. 

But how do they fit in your lifestyle and your preference of where you want to live and study? If your choice is a family decision, think about how your selection will affect those closest to you.

The student culture is also important as you decide where to apply. You will learn as much from your fellow students, with their wide range of work and diverse cultural backgrounds, as you will from faculty members. Student-run organizations, community programs, and international field trips can also greatly enhance your experience.

Consider the following:

• Do you want to stay in your home country or travel abroad?
• Would you prefer a college town or a city? How important are convenience, access to services, safety, and cost of living?
• How might the local business community be an advantage or disadvantage?
• What is the prevailing culture of the student body? To what extent does the environment foster competition over collaboration? MBAs, like all high achievers, are competitive, which can certainly affect the atmosphere of a school.

Because students and alumni are usually not representing their schools officially, their comments tend to be candid. They can be a great resource to find out what life is really like on campus. Ask them:

• “What is it really like getting an MBA?”
• “Does/did the program meet your expectations?”
• “What would you do differently if you were to start the MBA program all over again?”
• “What’s the student culture at your school like?”

You’ll have more access to students and alumni once you are admitted, but some schools may provide access early in the application process. Make connections by asking whether any current students are from your undergraduate alma mater.