AN AGENDA OF PRELIMINARIES FOR PROSPECTIVE APPLICANTS TO MASTER'S PROGRAMS IN BUSINESS

Decisions abound for anyone applying to graduate business schools. Practically at every juncture, a decision must be made and is best made if based on sufficient, worthwhile information. The AGENDA OF PRELIMINARIES has been developed to aid you as you delve into the decision whirlpool. Look over it and try to incorporate as many as possible of the pointers into your own personal agenda.

Item 1. SCHOOL VISITS

General visits to business schools are always helpful in gaining a sense of what the school is about - the atmosphere, size, location, student body, faculty. These visits should be informal. Since such visits are part of the preliminaries, it is probably too early in your search to schedule an interview, but a (casual) stop by the admissions office is practically a must. Also, be on the look out for Duke students at the schools and ask them questions about decisions they made in selecting a business school.

Item 2. ADVICE FROM THE FIELD

It is a certainty that wherever you go and whatever you do, you will encounter people who have already made the decision to attend or not to attend business school. You can build your decisional base by quizzing them on the choices they made: Did they enter directly after college? How important was location? How many applications did they complete? What is the general market for MBA's? What are their school's strengths and weaknesses? Family, friends, summer employers, and academicians all have a perspective (and probably a different one); do not hesitate to ask them questions and hear their side of the issue.

Item 3. THE GMAT

The Graduate Management Admission Test must be taken since most business schools require it. It is a good idea to take it as early as possible in the school year in which you are making applications. Some find that taking the test during the senior year gives them a headstart; others prefer to wait until closer to the application year.

Gaining an understanding of the GMAT is an important preliminary and should be undertaken with great care. There are several study guides available as well as test preparation courses. The extent to which you seek aid in preparing for the test is your decision, but the idea is not to enter the test blindly. Test application booklets are in the Prebusiness Advising Office, 02 Allen Building.

Item 4. INFORMATION AND PRINTED MATTER

Early in the application year, write schools or visit Web sites for information and to request bulletins, applications, financial aid information, and program announcements. It is a good idea to seek information from all of the schools that interest you; more information, better decision.

As you receive materials, look through them noting admissions criteria, application dates, program options, and courses to be taken during the first year of study. Too, try to note differences and get a feel for approaches that are commensurate with your abilities. Several readings of the materials will be needed if you are to benefit from comparative shopping. A grid for comparing various qualities among schools and a checklist for applications are in the Prebusiness Handbook for Duke Seniors and Alumni.

Item 5. WORK EXPERIENCE

If you have time for an enriching work experience, during the college years, try to secure a position in which you can engage in some business function. Internships, private efforts in enterprise, and volunteer work are all examples of activities that can be helpful to you. Business schools do value work experience, be it full-time or part-time, and if you have a chance to gain some, by all means do so. The need for full-time work experience remains high at most schools.

Item 6. REMAINDER OF ACADEMIC PROGRAM

A review of the publications from various schools should give you information about what is expected of you. While academic preparation may not be clearly defined, there are some expectations, particularly in terms of background courses. You should look over your Duke program to date with an eye toward altering it. For instance, mathematics, economics, accounting, statistics, computer science, and foreign language are especially recommended. If you have not taken any one of these, you should schedule one in your academic program as soon as possible. Alumni needing to take preparatory courses can take advantage of institutions in the area where they reside.

Item 7. RECOMMENDATIONS

Recommendations are an important part of your application profile; thus, it will be to your benefit to select carefully the persons you plan to ask to provide a recommendation. Now is not too soon to begin identifying and approaching prospects for recommendations. Faculty, deans, employers are all possibilities to consider. Remember, it is important to ask someone who knows you well and who has had a recent association with you. A variety of recommenders who can respond from various viewpoints will be useful.

Item 8. PREBUSINESS ADVISOR

The Prebusiness Advisor is always available to answer questions. Whenever you are in the area of the Allen Building, drop by the office to give her an update on your progress or to look through the materials on the resource shelf. Plan to spend some time browsing through other selected materials. At any rate, make an appointment to see her early in the senior year; appointments begin around mid-September.

Item 9. INFORMATIONAL MATERIALS

The Prebusiness Advising Office houses a wide collection of up-to-date materials, books, articles, and publications regarding business school. You are invited to stop by to browse and gather some items.

Item 10. BULLETIN BOARDS AND WEBSITE

The Office maintains two bulletin boards, one on the first floor and the other on the lower floor in the Allen Building. Check them periodically for news and opportunities. The Graduate Management Admission Council has a Web site at www.gmac.com or www.mba.com. Check it out; it has loads of information.