Night Owl's Revenge

Text

Don’t be “That Guy/Girl” at Business School Information Sessions!

It’s that time of year again. Round one deadlines for business school applications are rapidly approaching and admissions committees from schools across the world are hitting the road to host information sessions. Enthusiastic current students and alumni will also be in attendance, and they are very excited to meet you.

Information sessions are great for a number of reasons: they provide a general overview of that institution and its culture, they introduce members of the admissions committee to applicants, and they provide an opportunity to meet current students and alumni.

Please arrive on time. I would actually recommend arriving a few minutes early if possible. Dress nicely. This shouldn’t have to be said, but I saw some people at information sessions last year that looked like they just rolled out of bed. You should treat the application process like your job search. Would you want to look sloppy and arrive late to an interview?

With these thoughts in mind you should avoid becoming one of these “types” to prevent the adcom from remembering you in a bad way:

Mr. Know-It-All: This guy usually sits in the back of the room and talks loudly to anyone who will listen. He got a 750+ on his GMAT (or so he says), currently works at a “prestigious” firm, and is certain that he is a shoe in for the best schools in the country. He has an opinion on EVERY MBA program and proceeds to list his personal ranking for all of the “top” schools. No school is worthy unless it is a member of the “holy trinity” and he will have 50 reasons why you will never make it into those schools. Avoid this guy at all cost.

Ms. Super-Secret Applicant: She comes to the presentation on time, finds a seat and does not speak to anyone but the highest ranking member of the admissions committee. Business school is all about making connections. You never know who you are sitting next to. Introduce yourself to your neighbor before the presentation begins and chat with the alums and current students after you have met members of the Adcom. I got some of the best insight and advice to MBA programs from speaking to the alumni.

Mr. Go-Getter: Young, smart, and ambitious are three adjectives that describe this applicant (and everyone else in the room by the way). He’s got big ideas and he wants the adcom to know it. As soon as the presentation is over he rushes the nearest staff member and aggressively proceeds to “hold court”, physically blocking other applicants from joining the conversation. For all the go-getters out there here’s a clue: The admissions committee already knows that you are a smart, driven individual. If you weren’t, you wouldn’t be applying to business school! They also notice your behavior at events, and it’s very easy to remember someone for being rude and inconsiderate. They are looking to fill their classes with people they believe will add value to their communities, so present yourself as the well-rounded individual that you really are!

My best advice for information sessions: research the school before the presentation and come prepared with intelligent questions about the programs, classes, and clubs that interest you. DO NOT ask questions that can easily be found on the school’s website. Speak to a few of the admissions committee members and get their contact information if possible. Make a good impression by sending a thank-you email to adcom members the next day and include a few points that you learned during your conversation. Stay far, far away from Mr. Know-It-All, and don’t let Mr. Go-Getter stop you from connecting with the admissions committee or alumni.


  1. nightowlsrevenge posted this
To Tumblr, Love PixelUnion