Top MBA Programs

Various publications, including Business Week and the Wall Street Journal, are often looked upon as the authorities when it comes to which schools offer the top MBA programs. Although different programs may top their lists from year to year, there are several characteristics that most top MBA programs share.

They offer the chance to specialize: Some schools offer full-time MBAs that can essentially be looked upon as general MBAs. All students take the same courses, regardless of the area in which they plan to work after graduation. Top-rated schools, on the other hand, allow students to take courses that reflect their specific area of interest and career aspirations.

There is a good choice of electives: Most top business programs will offer students a wide variety of choices when it comes to electives. Someone who is pursuing a specialization in marketing, for example, can take courses that deal specifically with market research. In this way, they can become experts in a certain area of marketing, making them highly valuable to employers.

They have high standards: The top MBA programs are very selective about who they let in. Applicants must meet numerous requirements, and the admissions process is quite rigorous. GMAT scores, interviews, references, work experience, essays, and application forms are all required by most top schools. The goal of the institution is to find out as much as possible about the student's academic, work, and personal accomplishments so that they can be sure they are only admitting the most qualified applicants.

They encourage diversity: Although this is not a requirement, most top MBA programs make an effort to admit individuals from diverse academic, career, and cultural backgrounds. In this way, students have the valuable opportunity to look at issues from other points of view and learn from others.

They are rigorous: The best MBA programs are described by students as exhausting. A top MBA program will challenge students with difficult coursework and regular deadlines. It may be possible to complete an easier program at another location, but most students find that the learning that takes place within the program and the opportunities that present themselves after graduation make the more demanding program well worth the extra time and effort.