7 Things to Know Before Applying for a MBA

Everyday competition for jobs is becoming stiff. To be a step ahead, job seekers should strive to make their resumes more appealing than others so as to stand a chance of earning an interview. Earning an MBA is the best decision one can make towards increasing chances of landing a job. Although an MBA can open new opportunities in the job market, applying for the course is not as easy as it looks and should not be treated like an undergraduate program. Therefore, a potential post graduate student needs to analyze the options available and consult widely before making a decision. Following are seven things to know before applying for an MBA course;

Motivation
A potential student should understand his/her motivating factor towards acquiring such honors. Unlike an undergraduate degree where going to college seems like the next logical thing to do, an MBA is a highly specialized program.

Course work
Remember you have a motivating factor which the program should meet. As such, consider the course work offered by different schools and select the one that compliments your motivating factor. Perhaps you want to specialize into a certain field, in this case the program should offer the opportunity to specialize into the field of your choice.

Reputation
Some MBA programs are better and carry more weight than others. A potential student should take time to research and establish schools whose programs rank better than others. The ability to land a job increases in proportion to the reputation of a school.

Admission requirements
A student should check whether their undergraduate qualifications meet their graduate school of choice standard requirements. Some schools will even require potential students to take some extra tests and obtain a certain score.

Time commitment
Length of the program and time commitment should be taken into consideration too. It is wise to understand whether the program will allow students to work on it on a part-time basis and the timing of the classes and whether there are online classes in case a student is working.

Cost
Unlike an undergraduate degree, an MBA does not come on the cheap. A student should clearly know all the cost involved to earn the degree. Also, they should research the types of financial assistance available such as grants, scholarships or student loans.

Accreditation
Check whether your school of choice graduate program has passed the standard of excellence. If a school is not accredited, a student’s work might not be recognized at another school if the student decides to transfer or further an education in a doctoral program.