Who do you want in your MBA class?

IveyMBA

Who Do You Want in Your MBA Class?

by Maria Phillips (Director of Ivey MBA Recruiting & Admissions)

Class profiles can tell interesting stories.  They provide candidates with data and information to assess the ‘quality’ of the class that they may one day join.  While class profiles are a worthwhile research point, as an informed MBA decision-maker, it is important to consider that your experience as an MBA will not be shared with data and information – but, with  people! Smart people – driven people – people with unique experiences that contribute to your own MBA experience. The real story about how an individual fits into a program experience comes from a multi-dimensional view of a candidate. You can tell a lot of about what you can expect from a program based on the school’s candidate evaluation process and requirements for admissions.

You put a lot of effort into your MBA application and soon the time will come that you will make a life-changing decision about which program to choose. There are many ways of assessing program quality and fit, but who is “living the MBA” with you is critical to both the program experience and your long-term professional network. Get the information you need. Visit campus. Review online student profiles. Consider the organizations you are most interested in and the alumni that are running those organization at various senior levels. From an evaluative perspective – Is an interview part of the process? Is the Admissions Committee rigorously looking over each and every file? Have you had a professional and thoughtful experience with the Recruiting & Admissions team that demonstrates their interest in your decision? Or rather, has the experience felt transactional or expedited to fill the class?

The MBA market is a competitive one. There are many schools offering MBAs and all schools compete for the best talent. The overall MBA market (for quality candidates) is in a relatively steady state of demand. Despite this, many programs are choosing to grow the size of their programs. Growing the pool of candidates may mean changing selection criteria, including decreasing requirements for pre-MBA work experience. This may be an exciting opportunity for a recent undergrad, but for those on a progressive career path – consider how this might impact your overall experience. At Ivey, we believe that a minimum of two years, full-time work experience ensures that you and your classmates will have experiences to contribute to team and class discussions, along with the context and maturity to apply this learning in a professional setting.

As Director of MBA Recruiting & Admissions at Ivey, I am proud of the candidates we attract and the class we admit. At the end of the day, and I tell my team daily! – “We admit people, not files, into Ivey’s MBA program”  Our process is what helps assess fit and ensure a transformational experience for all!

More information about Ivey Recruiting Admission, please visit Ivey MBA Recruiting Admissions Blog: http://sites.ivey.ca/mba/
Ivey MBA Information Session will be held in Beijing on May 12, and in Shanghai on May 13. More details pls visit http://www.chasedream.com/show.aspx?id=9874&cid=11