MBA Guide Book

2018
“Develop a passion for learning. If you do, you will never cease to grow.”
 – Anthony J. D’Angelo
 Table of Contents

1.0 INTRODUCTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 2

2.0 BENEFITS OF AN MBA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 3

3.0 WHAT IS YOUR FIVE YEAR PLAN? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 4

4.0 AN IDEAL MBA CANDIDATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 5

5.0 A LOOK INTO MBA PROGRAM TYPES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 6

6.0 WHICH PROGRAM TYPE IS BEST FOR YOU? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 7

7.0 MBA APPLICATION TIMELINE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 9

8.0 WHEN TO SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 10

9.0 DON’T BE INTIMIDATED BY THE GMAT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 11

10.0 GMAT: ONLINE PREP COURSES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 12

11.0 GMAT: IN PERSON PREP CLASSES AND MOCK EXAMS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 13

12.0 FINANCING YOUR MBA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 14

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12.1 Scholarship And Other Options

13.0 WHAT’S NEXT? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 16

14.0 ADDITIONAL QS RESOURCES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 17

MBA Guide Book

 Is an MBA Right For Me?

Are you considering an MBA?

Do you want to learn more about an
MBA and its application process?

If so, this guide book has all of the information

you need! In this guide book, you’ll be able to get
all your questions answered about:

 What it takes to apply for an MBA

 What timeline you should follow

 How to pick the right MBA program for you

and more!
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You will either step forward into growth, or you will step backwards into safety.
 – Abraham Maslow
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 Benefits of an MBA

If you’re going to take the time to invest in

an MBA, you need to know why an MBA
will be worth your efforts in the long run.

There are countless benefits of getting an MBA, but

some of the main advantages include:

 Strong return on investment

 Improved managerial/entrepreneurial skills

 An MBA looks great on any resume -

it will give you a leg up against other job applicants

 Opportunities to climb the career ladder,

change careers or start a business

 Networking opportunities

 Developing leadership skills

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 Study abroad opportunities

The roots of education are bitter, but the fruit is sweet.

 – Aristotle
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 What’s Your Five Year Plan?

Have you taken time to think about

your goals for the next five years?

Do you see yourself:

 Moving up the career ladder

 Switching careers

 Opening your own company

If you have your goals written out, you can begin

to think about what you need to do to accomplish
them.
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What we learn with pleasure we never forget.

 – Alfred Mercier
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 An Ideal MBA Candidate

After determining that an MBA would help

you achieve your goals, it’s time to look at
what business schools would consider an
ideal MBA candidate.

Typically, an ideal MBA candidate is someone who has

one or more of the following qualities:

 Two to 10 years work experience

 A GMAT score of 547 or higher (average)

 Interest in furthering their education

 Desire to expand their professional network

 Leadership and analytical skills

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An investment in knowledge pays the best interest.

 – Benjamin Franklin
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 A Look Into MBA Program Types

Whether you’ve decided to study  Online MBA Program

• Lasts one to two years
abroad or stay in your current country,
• Study from the comfort of your home
you’ll still have to decide which type • Requires time management and self-discipline
of MBA program is right for you.
 Executive MBA Program
 Full-time MBA Program • Designed for the working professional
• Typically lasts one to two years • Typically requires 5-10 years work experience
• Classes take place on weekdays at the school • Builds managerial skills
• Provide internship opportunities • Offered in a part-time format

If you’re unsure about

 Part-time MBA Program
which program would
• Typically lasts three years
• Classes take place in the evenings or on best suit your needs,
weekends make a list weighing
• Most part-time students keep their jobs the pros and cons
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of each program.

Education is the passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to those who
 prepare for it today. – Malcolm X
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 Which Type of Program is Best for You?

It can seem overwhelming with so  School Reputation

many MBA programs out there to

Reputation is a key factor to consider when
decide which programs you should choosing which school is the best fit for you.
apply to. • Rankings: If a business school turns up in the
top of various different rankings, this can indicate
Consider these factors to make your decision a a high quality of education.
little easier: • Other factors: Excellent business schools
might not be ranked because they don’t meet
 Class size certain criteria such as a number of graduates or
amounts of surveys filled out.
When you end up spending almost every waking
hour during the intense one- or two-year course,  Employability rates after graduation
your number of classmates will matter.
• Small class size: You can enjoy personalized If you’re looking to pursue a new career after your
attention from the faculty, more face-to-face time MBA program, employability rates are important.
with your teachers, and bonding opportunities This indicates how the school’s graduates
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with your classmates. perform in the job market.

• Large class size: You will have opportunities to
make connections across industries, a variety of
people to study with and motivate you, and more.

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 Continued - Which Type of Program is Best for You?
 Specializations  Location of the school

Many MBA programs around the world vary The location of your MBA program will
because of the different specializations they offer. have a large effect on your study
experience and the kinds of
 Networking opportunities opportunities you’ll be exposed to.
• Studying in a foreign city: If you’re
Networking with alumni from your MBA applying to a school in a country or city
program can help you get referred to a job you’re not familiar with, it’s smart to visit
after graduation. Your classmates may also be the area beforehand to make sure it
potential business partners to work with after would be a good fit for you.
graduation. • Consider your specializations:
Different cities can be advantageous
for different specializations.
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Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.
 – Nelson Mandela
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 MBA Application Timeline

The MBA application process is a  Preparation Phase (9 - 12 months)

lengthy process and takes both time

• Begin studying and preparing for the GMAT
and effort to complete. It is highly • Average GMAT scores vary but range from
recommended to apply for 3-4 620 - 700 for top programs
programs that fit your goals. • Network with alumni and current students
• Prepare your financial options
The actual MBA application is just a small portion • Take your proof of English proficiency exam
of what needs to be done to during the time that (IELTS, GRE, TOEFL, etc.)
you’re preparing to apply.
 Application Phase (6 - 9 months)
During this time frame, you also need to focus on
the following: • Gather letters of recommendation
from employers, colleagues, and more
 Research Phase (12 - 18 months) • Update your resume to highlight
your career progression to date
• Research schools, MBA program types, and • Begin writing your essays
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locations (make them unique)

• Make a short list of schools you’re interested in • Prepare for interviews with
• Speak with admissions directors to understand MBA programs
program requirements • Submit your application!

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 When To Submit Your Application

Once you’ve completed all of your MBA

applications, it’s recommended that you submit
your applications in the first round of the
admission cycle promoted by the school.

There are many benefits to submitting your MBA applications in

the first round of deadlines like:

 Having extra time to manage details (visa, accommodation, etc)

 Allowing time to apply for other programs if needed

 Planning your financing options for the school you’re accepted

into

 Showcasing your motivation and interest towards the school

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Education is the foundation upon which we build our future.

 – Christine Gregoire
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 Don’t Be Intimidated By the GMAT

Preparing for a test like the GMAT can

seem like a daunting task. However,
there are many resources you can
use to get you up to speed with the
material tested in the GMAT.

 Start with research:

• See which score you need to get accepted to

the programs you’re interested in.

• Schools can place a lot of emphasis on GMAT

scores, while others are more concerned with the
professional experience.

• According to Prep Scholar, the average GMAT

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score needed to get into a top 100 business

school ranges from 620 to 700.

The goal of education is the advancement of knowledge and the dissemination of truth.
 – John F. Kennedy
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 GMAT: Online Prep Courses

You can find a lot of GMAT resources and

prep-courses online which are available for
free.

From mock exams to webinars, there are plenty of

providers with a range of resources you can use for
no cost.

If you prefer a more personal approach to tutoring,

QS Leap is a tool that allows you to book one-on-one
private classes with tutors remotely. This way, you can
save time and money, while receiving world-class tuition
from certified teachers.

Another benefit of QS Leap is you can connect with

other test-takers who will motivate each other which
will make you more likely to stick to your study
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schedule.

The best way to predict the future is to create it.

 – Abraham Lincoln
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 GMAT: In Person Prep Classes and Mock Exams

Sometimes, the only way to get the

help you need to be able to prepare
properly for the GMAT is by taking
classes in person.

You can get connected with one of the in-person

test prep courses in your city at one of our QS
events visiting your city.

After you’ve taken all the prep classes you can

and have participated in a few webinars, what’s
next?

Take a mock exam in the same conditions as the

real thing!   
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If opportunity doesn’t knock, build a door.

 – Milton Berle
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 Financing Your MBA

One of the biggest concerns people • Attending the QS World MBA Tour in your city
gives you access to a QS scholarship pool of more
have when considering whether or not than $7M
to go for an MBA is the cost. • There are also scholarships available from
institutions, foundations, associations, and NGOs
While an MBA can be pricey, there are financing for grades, specializations, the location of study,
and scholarship opportunities available that can and more!
make your MBA more affordable.
2. If you plan on working while getting your MBA,
 Scholarships & Other Options ask your company about funding opportunities

One of the biggest concerns people have when 3. If you land a new job after your MBA, ask if they
considering whether or not to go for an MBA is have a program to help pay off your MBA loans
the cost.
Don’t let worries about the cost of an MBA
Consider your options: hold you back! Don’t forget about return on
1. Always look at scholarship opportunities first. investment! Countless studies show that an
• Most schools offer scholarships directly linked to
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MBA proves to be worth the investment.

their MBA program

Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.
 – Confucius
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 It’s Time To Start Your MBA Journey!

Now that you have everything you During the research phase it’s great to use our Now that you’re knowledgeable on what it takes
MBA rankings and university search tools to to apply for an MBA, it’s time for you to follow
need to get started on your MBA help you learn more about different available your dreams and get started on the MBA
journey, what are you waiting for? MBA programs. application process!
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 Additional QS Resources
 MBA Rankings

 University Search - Research MBA programs

 Events Page - Meet with Admissions Directors

 
 QS Leap - Prepare for the GMAT

 Scholarships
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Perseverance is failing 19 times and succeeding the 20th.

 – Julie Andrews
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 Thank You!

Looking for more information on an MBA

and the  application process?

Contact us at topmba@info.qs.com

Join us at one of our MBA events!

Visit us at topmba.com/events
to find us in a city near you!
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