With the dizzying array of programs on offer, how can prospective students find their perfect fit?
In 2018 alone, over 225,000 would-be students applied to MBA programs, according to data from GMAC.
With the MBA’s continued popularity, courses have sprung up the world over, giving applicants literally thousands of options to choose from.
MBAs are available in full-time, or part-time versions. Online MBAs are also becoming more and more popular, with application volumes up year on year according to GMAC.
For potential business school students, this presents a huge dilemma: how do you find your ideal program in this sea of possibilities?
Like many big decisions, asking the right questions is a good place to start. Here are five questions to ask yourself as you search for your perfect MBA program.
1. What are my goals?
Most MBA participants go back to school with a specific goal in mind—whether switching industries, building a network, or starting their own business.
Although many MBA programs share core modules, each has its own unique focus. Knowing what you want to get out of your MBA experience will help to narrow down your options, and uncover a program that matches your specific interests.
If your goal is to switch industries, for instance, look out for programs with a strong track record in this area.
On the at , which prepares its graduates for careers in Luxury Brand Management, Consulting, or Tech, for example, over half of graduates (52%) change sector after graduation.
2. Who will my classmates be?
On a good MBA program, participants are encouraged to learn from each other as often as they learn from professors.
With this in mind, having a rough idea of who your classmates will be can help you make an informed business school decision.
If you hope to forge a global network, look out for programs with a high percentage of international students. At ESSEC, for instance, over 85% of Global MBA participants are international.
If you want to study alongside similarly experienced peers, check out the current cohort’s average work experience duration.
Asking these questions early on in your search will help you make the professional connections you need to achieve your goals.
3. Will it offer global experiences?
Today, 57% of people are connected to the internet, and 45% use social media. In this interconnected landscape, learning to work in a global environment is crucial.
For this reason, it’s important to ask whether an MBA program will give you access to international experiences. Many programs offer study-abroad electives, while others have overseas modules built into their core.
On ESSEC’s Global MBA program, for example, participants in certain majors have the option to split their time between ESSEC’s campuses in France and Singapore, benefiting from a bi-continental experience.
During week-long business trips, participant on this program also have the chance to visit key business hubs, and see how business is conducted in different regions.
For would-be MBA participants, this kind of global experience will broaden their perspectives, opening the doors to a wider range of post-graduation options.
4. How will the program help me enter my desired industry?
MBA programs are a great way for professionals to pivot into a new career or industry.
Although most MBAs are designed to be quite general in their scope, a good program will let you choose one—or a few—areas in which to specialize, allowing you to develop industry-specific know-how for a successful career switch.
Look out for a program that offers plenty of courses related to the industry you would like to enter, and allows you to hone your expertise and knowledge in your areas of interest.
On ESSEC’s Global MBA, for instance, students can select one of three specializations: luxury brand management, strategy and management, or strategy and digital leadership.
Training on in-demand skills, from Google Analytics (For all majors) to Tableau software (For Strategy & Management majors), is also integrated in the program.
5. What real-world experiences are on offer?
Classroom learning is a great way to build knowledge, spark discussions, and practice leadership skills in a supportive environment. However, certain abilities just can’t be honed in a lecture hall.
When selecting your MBA program, look out for a course that provides hands-on experience. This might include business trips, real-world projects, visits from executives, and networking opportunities.
Remember that soft-skills are also real-world skills. Being able to connect with people on a personal level is vital for success as a leader. During ESSEC’s Global MBA, for example, where they participants are exposed to topics such as personal branding, interview skills, and networking skills.
Having this kind of experience gives you a chance to explore a few different roles and industries before graduation, helping you work out your interests, gain the practical know-how, and polish your pitch so that you hit the ground running.
Student Reviews
The best intercultural university
There are more than 50 nationality in the grade, so there are opportunities to interact with people from all around the world. In terms of academics, the BBA course offers diverse courses for the 1st
Creativity, adaptability and entrepreneurship
The Master in Management program at the ESSEC Business School allows the students to choose their courses accordingly to their preferences and their professional targets. We can also go through international exchange and take part in internships with companies that are also partners with the school. The school is also next to the city of Paris.
Top business school in France
Doing PhD in essec took some time, to be precise about five years. But the experience was very good and cost effective too. There are opportunities for the student for teaching assistantship and that helps both financially and in career. In the final year I could manage to teach marketing to M1 students and this helped shape my career
Great college
The program is well suited for early professionals with an engineering degree preferably or a degree in economics. I would suggest taking the ceasure irrespective of the experience level as it helps you take your time to adjust to the job market.
Good school in France
I am currently enrolled in M2 in Essec business school. I am specialising in marketing management. The Grande Ecole programme is valued in France and my school ranks very high up. There are a lot of opportunities for internships and CDD.
The program curriculum
BBA program. The program is really practical and useful, provide us many international opportunities. Like internship and humanitarian experience, and the flexibility is also really cool, we can choose different campus and tracks as we want.
International Course
This school is very international and business oriented. Highly recognized by the companies The campus has been renovated and is very functional and modern from now on. Excellent atmosphere. Reputation of essec is a plus
Friends, Career opportunities.
The program I did gave me the opportunity to start in Singapore. I got the chance to know all the students that started there and we bonded and made some friends for life. The career opportunities that ESSEC also gave me were unbelievable.
Practical and useful
I think the best thing about Essec is that it's not focusing on academics rather it emphasizes on future job mindset and professional experiences..
The classes are interesting and we have plenty of workshops attributing to different sectors..
The campus is very nice with a good cafe and wonderful library.
The only problem is the location of the campus. It's quite far from Paris.
Amazing experience! Must try
I think its a very amazing school with great and experienced faculty. Also the alumni network is very solid and useful. The school has a great balance of studies and work experience which is really essential for a student.
GBBA: Diverse, Enriching, and Career-Boosting
My experience at ESSEC Business School has been outstanding. The Global BBA program offers a rich academic curriculum and diverse learning opportunities. I appreciated the chance to study on different campuses, including an international exchange, which broadened my perspective. The social environment is culturally diverse and vibrant, enhancing both my personal and professional growth. The administration is attentive, constantly offering new academic and student life opportunities. The campus facilities and classrooms are excellent. I highly recommend ESSEC for its excellence, global exposure, and career opportunities.
ESSEC BS BBA REVIEW
The English track BBA program at ESSEC is simply exceptional. Courses are taught by internationally renowned professors who are experts in their field. The subjects taught cover a wide range of disciplines from marketing to finance, strategy and entrepreneurship. The English track is a major asset because it allows you to develop perfect mastery of professional English, essential in today's globalized business world. Some students love student life at Essec, which is one of the best in France, but it all depends on taste.
Great program, incredible school
I love almost everything about this school, from the student life to the academic program and the opportunities it provides.
I'm currently at the Paris campus, in Cergy, and I'm really enjoying it.
The BBA program is very rich and diversified, you can start with geopolitics and then finance, what I mean is that there's a great balance between the subjects in this program.
I was also lucky enough to spend a semester at the Singapore campus, and I loved that experience on the other side of the world.
ESSEC is also known for its dynamic and rich student life, with access to several parties a week and the various associations within the school.
If I could recommend just one school, it would be this one - I'm 100% satisfied.
Great experience
First of all, what I appreciate the most is the academic environment. The courses are extremely stimulating and are taught by high-level professors, often experts in their field. The diversity of subjects offered, ranging from marketing to finance, including entrepreneurship, allows you to acquire a complete and versatile education. The group projects, although sometimes stressful, are also an opportunity to learn to work in a team, which is essential in the professional world. One area that I feel could be improved is the management of student events. Although many activities are organized, I have noticed that some events can lack organization or communication, which can frustrate those who want to get involved. Better coordination between the different student associations and the administration could really improve the overall experience.
