In today’s digital landscape, many b-schools use social media platforms such as LinkedIn, TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook to connect with both current and prospective students, offering a behind-the-scenes look into the school. As such, following your target business schools on social media could help you make a more informed decision when selecting your ideal b-school—turning your usual mindless scrolling into something highly beneficial.
So, here are four ways following b-schools on social media can help you choose the right school.
1. Insight into campus life
With many b-schools frequently posting about various aspects of campus life, following your target b-schools on social media can be a great tool during the application process. It gives you a deeper understanding of the campus culture and offers a glimpse into what your day-to-day life could look like at the school. This is particularly useful for international students who may not have the opportunity to visit a school's campus before applying.
Reels and TikTok videos, although often only 60 seconds or shorter, are very effective for this, as they allow you to virtually explore student life and put yourself in the shoes of the current class. These short, visual formats can give you a quick yet immersive look at what it’s like to be a student on campus, helping you asses whether the school's atmosphere and environment aligns with your preferences.
Lancaster University Management School (LUMS), which offers several MBA programs, including a Cyber Security Executive MBA, is especially good at this. The school often gives students the opportunity to document their MBA journey and everyday campus routine on camera and share it on the school's Instagram (@lancasterunimanagementschool), providing prospective students with an authentic view of life at LUMS.
What’s more, with schools often documenting their campuses throughout the different seasons and terms, following your target b-schools on social media can help you get a more comprehensive understanding of how campus life unfolds throughout the year—not just during a pre-organized campus tour.
2. Stay updated on important school news and events
It is crucial to remain on top of the latest news coming out of your prospective b-schools, as it may affect which school you choose. Social media offers an easy and accessible way to do so, as b-schools often share updates via their social media pages. For example, Nanyang Business School (@nanyangbusinessschool) recently documented its place in the Financial Times ranking via its TikTok.
As the information provided on schools' socials will likely be bite-sized, such as informative text posts on Instagram or LinkedIn posts, which are limited to 3,000 characters, it will also leave you enough time to keep up-to-date while still immersing yourself in the rest of the application process.
Additionally, most b-schools share details about events open to prospective students, both virtual and in-person, on their social platforms. These events could include information sessions, networking opportunities, or campus tours, and attending them could significantly influence your decision-making process, making it well worth having followed them on social media.
3. Network with fellow students and alumni
Networking with current students and alumni before choosing a b-school can be a very effective way of narrowing down which school you want to choose. Equipped with insights from those who have experienced the school’s culture, programs, and career prospects first-hand, you’ll feel more empowered to make your decision.
Following your favorite b-schools on social media can be a very effective networking tool. You can engage in the comments of posts, building connections with others in your cohort. Through private groups hosted by the b-schools on platforms like Facebook or Instagram, you can also engage with current students and alumni, ask questions, and learn more about the school from their experiences. The information you learn could even help you when drafting your application, as you can align it with the school's culture and values.
Some schools, such as Copenhagen Business School (@copenhagenbusinesschool-mbaprogrammes), regularly share information about their alumni on LinkedIn, even offering the chance to personally connect with them. Therefore, by following the school, you open up opportunities you might otherwise miss.
4. Be part of the community
Engaging with your prospective b-schools on social media fosters a sense of community, providing a space where you can connect with other prospective students, current students, and alumni and learn more about the school.
Feeling part of the community before applying can be a valuable way to determine if the school is the right fit for you, helping you assess whether it meets your expectations.
Harvard Business School (@harvardbusinesschool), for example, regularly updates its LinkedIn with posts celebrating its faculty and history, allowing prospective students to understand and evaluate the legacy they would be a part of if they join the school.
Finally...
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