MBA tour comes to Lagos – Tips for success

As part of its drive to create great opportunities for prospective MBA holders to introduce themselves to top international business schools and to network with admissions officers and MBA alumni who are likely a part of the admissions process, MBA Tour admissions event calendar will kick off its 2015 activities with an MBA admission fair on the 24th of January at Eko Hotel in Lagos.

Prospective MBAs can also get the resources and information they need to help them make the most out of the application process.

To assist aspiring MBAs in effectively preparing for the MBA Tour event, and to ensure participants get the most out of the fair, Total Ascent is running a two-part series (this week and next week) that provides tips to ensure you get what you need out of the event, so you can ultimately be successful in the application process.

Two tips to effectively prepare you for the MBA Tour event:

Do a self-assessment TODAY:

Before attending the admissions fair, conduct a self-assessment. This exercise should help you to establish your goals and career objectives and to better understand your abilities and aptitudes and how these all affect your options and strategy for business school admissions.

If you have a stellar academic record (including your GMAT/GRE scores) and at least three years salient work experience, then you might be eligible for a top-tier school and financial aid. If you only have an average academic record and little relevant work experience, then your chances are slimmer, and you might be better focusing on the next tier of business schools. A self-assessment will help you put your resources, abilities and budget into perspective, and can open up new opportunities for business schools that are a good fit for you.

Do your research, pick your targets:

At the MBA fair, you will have dozens of business schools from around the world and it is essential that you use your time wisely and effectively. Have an idea of what industry and type of role you want to work in after business school and do your research to generate a targeted list of schools you will visit on the day.

Different business schools have different strengths and specialisations and are also more renowned in different fields and geographies – think about where you want to work after the MBA and which business schools will provide you with the greatest support for your career plans and access to relevant employers. Develop a targeted list and these should be your first points of call on the day.

More tips next week…..

Tosin has an MBA from Yale University and is the CEO of Total Ascent (www.total-ascent.com), a Test Preparation (GMAT/GRE) and Leadership Development company.

Oluwatosin Okojie