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9 Tips for MBA candidates before attending the MBA Tour

  1. Eyes on the prize. Make concrete connections between the value the tour represents and your personal and professional goals. Outline several goals that you are committed to and keep them in mind throughout this process.

  2. Who RSVP’d? Review the agenda to see what schools will be in attendance.  Plan your schedule, be selective and strategize your time.

  3. Google it. Research the schools that might be of interest to you.  If you spend a little time getting some background, then you can ask focused and specific questions. Showing a genuine interest in a program will impress representatives.

  4. Pull Rank. According to your preference, visit programs you are most attracted to FIRST. This ensures plenty of time to gather as much information as you need.

  5. Elevator pitchWrite, edit, and practice, practice, practice your “elevator pitch” – the ability to sell yourself in a concise, yet informative manner in the briefest moment of time.  The formula: name, relevant experience, and highlights of skills and strengths. Remember to tailor your introduction to each school based on thorough research and knowledge of their programs.

  6. Shake it off. While you’re at it, check your handshake. Is it lettuce limp? Or bone crushing?

  7. Ask away. Prepare a list of the most important questions you want answered.  It is easy to forget things when rushed or anxious. This will help you determine if there is a match between the program and your goals. Your questions may address topics such as: Reputation of Faculty, Quality of Program, Cost, Admissions Requirements, Curriculum, Employment/Placement, Geographic Location and Student Life.

  8. Answer away. Be prepared to answer questions from the admissions representatives, such as, “Why do you want to attend business school?” and, “When?” They will also inquire about your experience, long-range goals, and strengths and weaknesses.

  9. Supplies. Figure out what you need to take to the event and get them ready NOW. Unwrinkle that suit, polish those shoes, print out the ole resume, grab a nice lookin’ notebook and a shiny new pen from the store

We hope you have read : 

I am done with the MBA Tour. Now what?
MBA Aspirants - 11 Tips to Consider during The MBA Tour

 

The MBA Tour

www.TheMBATour.com

The MBA Tour events offer unique formats to explore MBA programs and discover your ideal business school

Atul Jose F1GMAT's FounderAbout the Author 

I am Atul Jose, Founding Consultant of F1GMAT, an MBA admissions consultancy that has worked with applicants since 2009.

For the past 15 years I have edited the application files of admits to the M7 programs: Harvard Business School, Stanford Graduate School of Business, the Wharton School, MIT Sloan, Chicago Booth, Kellogg School of Management, and Columbia Business School, together with admits to Berkeley Haas, Yale School of Management, NYU Stern, Michigan Ross, Duke Fuqua, Darden, Tuck, IMD, London Business School, INSEAD, SDA Bocconi, IESE Business School, HEC Paris, McCombs, and Tepper, plus other programs inside the global top 30.

 

My work covers the full MBA application deliverable: career planning and profile evaluation, application essay editing, recommendation letter editing, mock interviews and interview preparation, scholarship and fellowship essay editing, and cover letter editing for funding applications. Full bio with credentials and admit history is here.

 

I am the author of the Winning MBA Essay Guide, the best-selling essay guide covering M7 MBA programs. I have written and updated the guide annually since 2013, which makes the 2026 edition the thirteenth.

 

The reason I still write and edit essays every cycle: a good MBA essay carries a real applicant's voice. Writing essays for F1GMAT's Books and Editing essays weekly is how I stay calibrated to what current admissions committees respond to.

 

Contact me for school selection, career planning, essay strategy, narrative development, essay editing, interview preparation, scholarship essay editing, or guidance documents for recommendation letters.