10 Reasons to Attend a Graduate Open House

Attending a Graduate Open House used to dominant the way perspective students learned about a program. However, thanks to the proliferation of online information, many applicants are foregoing this ritual and missing out on an opportunity for a first-hand view. Applicants who decline the offer do so at their own peril. Imagine purchasing a new luxury vehicle without visiting the dealership. Open Houses are extremely beneficial to those seeking to kick the tires and determine if the program is right for them. Here are 10 good reasons to move the Open House back to the top of your priority list, including advice on what to do while you are there.

1. Get under the hood.

Due diligence is part of the decision-making process in any industry. MBA programs look and sound great online, but it is often difficult to tell who is actually living up to the hype. Instead of relying on the website, see for yourself if the program seems like the best way to enhance your career. Most professionals have only one Master’s degree in business so it behooves the applicant to take the program for a test drive. One of the best ways to do that is a face-to-face conversation with faculty, current students, alumni, admissions and career counselors, and the staff.

2. Meet the Admissions team.

The admissions team reviews lots of applications, but, depending on the program, they usually don’t meet one-on-one with every applicant. Don’t underestimate the importance of making a good first impression on an admissions officer. Show your enthusiasm and knowledge of the program by asking good questions. It is difficult to influence the decision-makers if you’ve never met them. This is the time to ask what makes for a great applicant. At the same time, you can judge the level of service and support you receive from them – it usually sends a good signal about how you’ll be treated by the program staff.

3. Network with faculty, current students, and alumni.

Think of an Open House as a networking event, attended by successful and enthusiastic professionals who are excited about continuing their formal education. Inquire about the backgrounds of the faculty, program director, and current students. See what drives their passion for business. Do they represent companies that are highly regarded – perhaps one that you might like working for someday? Ask the alumni how the program has impacted their career. And don’t be afraid to exchange business cards. You never know where a brief encounter may lead.

4. Ask what makes the program unique.

Each program representative may have a different response to the question of what makes the program unique. Compare the answers from college staff to those of the current MBA students and alumni. Current students tend to talk about the course load and managing work-life balance; alumni tend to provide a more subjective measure of the return on their investment. Importantly, listen carefully to what isn’t said. If the program advertises its leadership orientation but none of the students or alumni mentioned it, perhaps the program has fallen short.

You won’t be able to remember everything, so be sure to write down whatever catches your attention.

5. Identify areas of concern.

The answers people give you about what makes the program unique will lead you to the areas where you will need clarification. If you are considering an accelerated program, inquire about the curriculum tradeoffs vs. a full time or a la carte program. Take a few moments to ask about the quality of the applicant pool – is the program loosening standards just to fill seats? What services are available for professionals who miss class due to a business commitments? What academic support is there for non-business majors who are struggling in a particular class?

6. Inquire about career services and alumni events.

Since most part-time enrollees are already working, they often minimize the importance of having a strong Career Service Center. If you choose the right program, at some point you’re going to need advice and counsel regarding your professional advancement: resume, LinkedIn profile, professional coaching, negotiating and/or interview skills. Is the Career Service Center up to the challenge? Are services available to current students as well as alumni? What kinds of events are planned for alumni and how well attended are they? Is a career services representative participating in the Open House?

7. Meet potential classmates.

You won’t be going it alone. One of the best reasons to attend an Open House is to get a sense of the business professionals considering the same program. What’s top of mind for them may differ for you? Have they attended other Open Houses? How much work experience do they have?

Some of the connections you make during your MBA program will last a lifetime so getting a free look at your potential classmates is invaluable. In addition, students attending a cohort program claim they learn just as much from their classmates as they do from their professors. Don’t wait until the first day of class to meet them.

8. Get to know the campus.

Is the business school designed for seminar style learning? The traditional-styled classroom accommodates lectures – sometimes very large ones – but they’re not particularly well suited for the back-and-forth discussions that characterize graduate learning.

Go early or stay late at the Open House. Get familiar with the campus, parking, study areas and the library. Even if you will only spend one or two days per week in class, your study groups will want to meet in a central location where you can work productively. Get a good map of the campus and walk around to get a sense of the campus vibe.

9. Test the commute.

Don’t underestimate the value of your time. You would never choose a graduate program just because it’s convenient to your work or home, but proximity can be extremely valuable when juggling work, family and school. Just as you would for an interview, visit the destination and note the drive time. Open Houses are typically scheduled in the early evening and will give you a first-hand look at rush hour traffic.

10. Schedule a class visit.

Going back to school to pursue an MBA can seem daunting, especially for those with a non-business undergraduate degree. If you’re on the fence about a particular program, nothing beats a class visit to either inspire you or send you back to the drawing board. See if you find the discussion stimulating or too far over your head. Try to identify the students who have an undergraduate liberal arts degree. Is the discussion open to different opinions? During the break, ask students about their biggest concerns when they were going through the selection process. You might be surprised to learn that your concerns are not unique.

The Open House looks very different now, doesn’t it? It’s not a social gathering and a time sink. It’s an information resource center and investigative opportunity that you won’t find anywhere else. Get a jump on your education and get the answers to your questions at the Open House.

Categories: MBA