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Success at Business School!

Resources and strategies to help you find the program that fits your needs

MBA Programs in the Boston Area

Compiled from the 2015 Boston Business Journal Book of Lists. 

  • Babson College (F.W. Olin Graduate School of Business)
  • Bentley University
  • Boston College (Carroll School of Management)
  • Boston University (Questrom School of Business)
  • Brandeis University
  • Cambridge College
  • Curry College
  • Harvard Business School
  • MIT (Sloane School of Management)
  • Northeastern University (D’Amore-McKim School of Business)
  • Simmons College
  • Suffolk University
  • University of Massachusetts Boston

Welcome

Welcome to the Success at Business School Guide.  This guide provides resources and suggestions of how to manage your application process and be a successful student in your first year and beyond.  Topics include:

  • Choosing a program or school that fits your career goals
  • Tips and resources for a successful application
  • Preparing for the GMAT
  • How to pay for school
  • Success in your first year and beyond

We wish you the best of luck!

Choosing a School or Program

An advanced degree in business is a serious investment in time and money.

Earning an MBA is certainly not a guarantee that you will be successful (however you define success)--it's how, when, and where you apply those skills. 

Move through the tabs in this box to help you determine the kind of program you should pursue and whether or not pursuing an advanced business degree is right for you. What is your primary motive for perusing a graduate program in business?

  • Skill Building--Do you lack leadership or management experience to pursue the career of your choice? 
  • Career Change--Do you want to move into a different industry or a different role?
  • Career Enhancement--Do you want to move forward with your career but the lack of an advanced degree is holding you back.

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Consider different kinds of schools and programs, because each has their distinct benefits and drawbacks. Use this list as a starting point when evaluating the programs. 

  • Part time
    • Pros: No lost wages if you continue working, your employer might help you pay
    • Cons: Takes longer to finish, may have a negative impact on your work/life balance, course offerings may be limited in comparison to full time programs
  • Full time
    • Pros: Immersive experience, shorter time to completion, many scholarship and grant opportunities
    • Cons: Lost wages and lost real world experience
  • Online
    • Pros: Allows you flexibility and to keep working,  your employer might help you pay
    • Cons: Takes longer to finish, lack of classroom interaction with fellow students, may have a negative impact on your work/life balance

Where the program is located can set you up for success or failure. Figure out the ecosystem where your chosen program operates. Here are some questions to consider if you are thinking about moving a across country or staying local:

  • What industries are flourishing in the area around your prospective program?
  • Is the school in close proximity to companies where you can secure an internship while in school or a job post graduation?
  • Would you stay in this location post graduation? Or are you willing to move?
  • How much will it cost for you to relocate?
  • Will a move disrupt your partner's/spouse's career or your family?
  • If staying local, how long is the commute?  And how much will it add to your commute after work?

There are more costs to going to back to school than just money.  Here are some questions to consider:

  • How much in lost wages will you have by staying out of workforce if you choose go full time?
  • What is the financial impact on your family/household?
  • Will your employer help you pay?
  • Can you get a scholarship/grant?
  • Will you have to take out loans?
  • How much time is this going to take away from your personal life?
  • Can you handle the added stress?
  • Will going back to school part time force you to adjust your work schedule?
  • Similarly, is your employer willing to be flexible with your schedule so you can attend class/group meetings?

Here are some questions to consider to determine whether or not the school/program fits your needs. This is not an exhaustive list but a good starting point:

  • How does the school rank? 
    • Which rankings are important to you?
  • What is the program/school's reputation?
  • What is the acceptance rate?
  • How many alumni are employed in your chosen field?
  • Is there a specialty program that aligns with your career goals such as: 
    • Finance
    • Health Care
    • Entrepreneurship
  • What kind of perks does the school/program have?
    • Career Center with coaching and exclusive job postings? 
    • Dedicated library or library staff?
    • Study abroad opportunities?

Web Resources

  • Last Updated: Sep 4, 2024 11:23 AM
  • URL: https://guides.bpl.org/bizschool
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