Explore Student Life

How do the programs that suit your academic and career goals fit your lifestyle?

Like undergraduate programs, attending graduate business school is about so much more than academics. Your fellow students, the program culture, and school location also play a big role in your education. In fact, 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 trips and exchanges can also greatly enhance your experience.

Ask yourself the following:

• Do you want to stay in your home country or travel abroad?
• Would you prefer to live in a college town or a city? How important are convenience, 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? Are they more competitive or collaborative?

Whether you visit the campus, attend a recruiting event, or conduct an information interview, students and alumni can provide valuable information on 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 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. Also be sure to ask whether any current students are from your undergraduate alma mater and connect with them.