Are you an International Candidate? Then, read on
With the growing global market, business schools are anxiously reaching out to overseas candidates gradualling filling the increased need for people with an international education. Applicants around the world are also hearing the call. According to the Graduate Management Admission Council, last year nearly 40% of those who took the GMAT were from outside the US, while 85% sent their scores to US business schools. If you are an international student like me who have dreams of earning a business degree in the US, then keep reading.
Business schools in the US and all across the globe actively recruit overseas candidates. Most schools now send representatives to MBA events in different countries. I will tell you that MBA fairs provide the greatest benefit to the prospective students. I can still remember the experience I had when I attended the Harvard Business School MBA fair in my country. This fair will definitely give you an opportunity to meet with representatives from business schools all around the world as well as alumni and, in some cases, current students depending on what time of year it is.
MBA fair provides you with an opportunity to collect a great deal of information from the programs, as well as speak to the representatives and get a sense of what the expectations of different schools are of their candidates. You will also speak to individuals who may have gone through those particular programs and get a sense of what those individuals’ experiences are. In general, it’s just a great opportunity for candidates to gather as much information in one setting as possible.
You also need to make sure you have an understanding of the US educational system and the style of education. Some business schools require you to participate in projects in class and at the same time express your ideas even if you don’t agree with the professor. If you are non-native English speakers, communicating in English can be another challenge. With heavy reading material and active class discussions, building a solid foundation of English is essential.
With the events of 9/11, getting visas becomes more challenging. So, every international student needs to have an understanding of US immigration policies and leave yourself plenty of time to apply for that visa. This is one of the reasons I would encourage international students to apply as early as possible. This will make you to get a decision as early as possible, and then make your own decision about what program you are going to pursue so that you can move through the process as quickly and efficiently as possible.
So what’s left after you’ve gone through that painstaking process of applying and finally getting accepted to a US business school? Pack your bags and move as soon as you can. Move to the location where your MBA program is located as early as possible.
Technorati Tags: GMAT, MBA fairs, prospective students, business schools, MBA program
September 4th, 2006 at 2:56 am
It is interesting to know that international students may find it more difficult to study in U.S. schools that their American peers. Do you think that international students learn less because English is not their native language?
September 7th, 2006 at 11:11 am
I dont believe that International students learn less because English is not their native language. It all depends on the learning skills of each individual.