We’ve all heard it in the media, in the workplace, and from our friends. Choose your Business School carefully, because that name will be associated with you for the rest of your career. Great advice, but what exactly does that mean?
Yes, a Business Program’s name and reputation mean a lot, but that doesn’t mean that you should only target the most recognizable or top-ranked names. A school’s ranking does matter, now, don’t misunderstand us. But within the top 10 (or so) programs, you will generally get top-notch peers, professors, and opportunities. After that, choose the school that is the best fit for you. Take a look at your background, career aspirations, academic setting preferences, and match that to those of top schools. You will find that schools have very different cultures, and you will be best served by finding a good fit.
That said, if you know that your dream is to go to one of the top three business schools in the world, follow your dream. Just remember, while the name is important, it isn’t everything.