Going Back to Business School
A Panel at Columbia Business School in New York City
March 15, 2012
Panelists:
Garry Thaniel ’04, Harvard Business School ‘09
Steven Kelly ’04, NYU Stern School of Business ‘10
Shari Aser ’98, Johnson Graduate School of Management at Cornell University ‘10
Emily McClain, Associate Director MBA Admissions at Columbia Business School
Moderator:
Kate Marescello ’04, Human Resources, Goldman Sachs and MBA recruiter
Determining which school is for you and tips for applying:
GMAT Prep Courses
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Take prep course, especially if out of undergraduate for a while – consensus was that Kaplan
seems to be the best
Take practice tests, prefereably in an actual testing site (you can take GMAT multiple times)
Researching schools
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Find your fit - Attend school info sessions/fairs, get to know the admissions staff, visit schools,
attend classes, talk to current MBA students
Review school websites – look at the curriculum, make sure the classes interest you, team
based, international focused, research how they teach/class setting/techniques (case, lecture,
decision briefs, etc)
Types of Programs (no cookie cutter programs)
o FT MBA - you are a full time student and no longer work. Good if you want to try a
different career – the summer internship allows you to do this. Can finish more quickly
but will usually incur the cost.
o Executive MBA - continue to work full time and take classes on weekends. There are
several different types. Make sure you get the same degree as the FT MBA’s, i.e. your
diploma says the same thing. Good if your company will pay for it, you do not want to
leave your job and you want to stay in the same company.
Going Back to Business School
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Application Tips
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There is NO set formula for the admissions committees – schools take a holistic view of
applicants. They want to take a class with a variety of backgrounds and experiences so
different perspectives are included in the group. Following are some questions to think about:
o Who you are
o Why are you pursuing MBA
o Why their school
o What will you do with the degree
For an Executive MBA, it is OK to talk about how the degree will help you where you want to
go within your company and build your skills
Application
o Answer the questions, i.e. don’t leave any unanswered questions or room for
assumptions
o Be sure your application/essays are well written with no typos or grammatical
problems
o Highlight leadership roles and teamwork experience –at work, personal life, and at
undergrad
o Do NOT use copy/paste, they read 1000’s of applications and it is evident if they see
the same language/format
o Letters of recommendation – find out the preference for each school – faculty letters
vs. professional (work) letters
o Be AUTHENTIC, especially in essays – what distinguishes you? They want to get to
know who you are.
o Review application many times – what is missing, are there parts that are redundant,
will you be memorable?
Timing – when to go?
o Schools may have requirements or preferences of years of professional experience
desired prior to MBA – do your research
o Many schools average 7-10 years of professional experience prior to getting MBA
Going Back to Business School
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Comments about being in Business School
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Business School was hard. It was tough to get in and it was tough to get out.
It was the biggest commitment/investment I have ever made in myself and investment but it I
received the biggest reward
Yes it is a lot of HARD work, but it was LOTS of fun
There was a tremendous amount of learning from your peers
It is a competitive environment. You need to be prepared and deliver when needed.
What is great, we are now able to use what we learned in every day of work
Is there financial assistance for B-school? Ask your admissions counselor.
o Fellowships exist
o Employer contribution (time or monetary)
Reflection on getting an MBA
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There is a strong bond with my fellow students and faculty – network is amazing
I have developed close knit friendships that last today
I was able to work very closely with a diverse group – students ranging from military to CEOs,
domestic and international.
Sets you apart professionally
There is a responsibility - I now represent my business school in the professional world. I need
to deliver as a professional.
Going Back to Business School
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