Where can I find detailed info about B-Schools?

[hamiltonmd]

I'm hoping to apply to a number of schools for admission in 2009. I'm trying to narrow down which schools I'll be applying to. What I'm looking for is a source of information on strengths/weakness of various schools. I've requested literature from a number of schools, but is there another source?

I've gotten titles to a couple books like "The MBA Advantage" and "The MBA Career Guide" which are supposed to have that kind of info, but they all seem to be more than 10 years old, so I'm concerned they are out of date.

Any idea?

Thanks,
Mike

[MBAApply]

The best and free way is to contact current students at the various schools. Go visit a few schools as well. Current students are usually the best source of info not only on their own school -- but on other schools as well (since quite a number will have friends going to other schools - as "ethnically and culturally diverse" as schools may be, it's still a relatively small world particularly at the top schools - many graduated from the same colleges at approx. the same time, worked at the same firms, have ex-girlfriends/ex-boyfriends in those schools, etc.).

Everyone is going to have a slightly different opinion, and from there you can get the best idea for yourself which schools fit for you -- there's really no substitute for that.

As a start, go to the student club websites (usually linked from the MBA school's website) where you'll find contact info for club officers - some may reply, others may not, but so long as you get a few and have decent social skills, you'll be surprised how honest students can be about their own schools as well as others'.

Also, the one thing you need to keep in mind that what differentiates schools isn't their academics or even career placement -- particularly at the top-16 schools. They are top schools precisely because they're strong overall in just about everything. With career placement at top schools, they reflect more the student's interests than the ability for the school to help you get the job.

So when it comes down to it, the biggest difference (and material difference) is in the student culture and learning environment -- which is dictated by a combination of the geographic location (west coast, east coast, midwest, etc.), locale (urban, suburban, rural), and size (300 students vs. 600+ students). Also, teaching method for two particular schools -- HBS and Darden -- which are 100% case method. Every other school uses a combo of case method, lecture, experiential, simulation, etc.

Alex Chu
alex@mbaapply.com
www.mbaapply.com
http://mbaapply.blogspot.com

[hamiltonmd]

Great info!

Thanks!
Mike