Online MBA Forum

GMAC, the Graduate Management Admission Council that runs the GMAT, have some really interesting information about the MBA courses that are run globally. I was reading a report of a survey that they carried out in 2003 about how many MBA graduates would recommend the Business School where they studied their MBA. Some 4,123 graduates said that they would definitely recommend their school.

The decision factors were also interesting. The major reasons were program management, curriculum quality and the quality of the administration in the school. Other factors were linked with the contribution that the MBA degree had made to them finding good jobs, and the quality of their fellow students.

Many schools pay attention to the mix that they have in class. They will often limit students with some backgrounds, and actively seek out students with other backgrounds in order to be able to have groups of people who will help to contribute to the class learning experience.

I was reminded today of some of the benefits that can come out of a good MBA program that are peripheral to the program, but can be really useful to students.

Some companies will give scholarships to students from specific MBA programs to help them with their studies. Other benefits include sponsorship during the program, which can be linked to guarenteed employment after the program.

Other benefits involve competitions for MBA students. Prizes can include employment opportunities as well as money and fees being paid. Some venture capital companies run competitions for entrepreneurial MBA programs, which can result in venture capital being awarded to suitable ideas, projects and companies started by MBA students.

According to a survey of 95 schools from around the world conducted via Internet by GMAC, the body that offers GMATs, nearly half of all MBA graduates change jobs after they have finished their MBA. They use the degree as a springboard to find new jobs and to position themselves further up the management ladder.

Prestige of the business school that they are going to attend for their MBA is also really high on the list of criteria for selection of their degree. 39% said that global recognition was a major factor in their choice of schools, and beat other factors such as location, subject options and rankings.

It seems that quality of the school is a major issue that they feel will add to the reputation of their own degree - most important when you are looking for a new job, as you will wish to be associated with "the best".