Veritas Prep Gives Wall Street Journal Readers Some Tips for Thriving in Business School

Yesterday The Wall Street Journal ran an article titled "Return to the Classroom," highlighting some things that new MBA students should do to make the most of their time in business school. For the article, WSJ reporter Diana Middleton turned to our own Scott Shrum for advice on how students should organize their priorities in the hectic business school environment:

"You haven't even unpacked yet and you'll already have another calendar—school and the job search," says Scott Shrum, director of M.B.A. admissions research at Veritas Prep, a business-school admissions consulting firm in Malibu, Calif. "A lot of people tend to trip up on that."

Scott emphasized something that we experienced for ourselves when we went to grad school, and that many of our clients experience every year: Students tend to overestimate how tough the academic are, and underestimate how challenging it is juggle everything else, including the job hunt (of course) and getting involved with the seemingly hundreds of activities and new friendships that a business school student will experience.

Mr. Shrum says those who are switching careers need to take special care preparing for job interviews—which may mean spending less time on academics. "I'm not saying not to focus on your classes, but you're trying to get a lucrative job and you'll need to start prepping right out of the gate," he says. "It's nearly impossible to find someone who failed out of business school, so throw your energy into the career search."

By no means do we mean that the coursework in business school is easy -- many students find it very challenging. But, if you overcome tough odds and earn admission to a top business school, you probably have what it takes to do well in the classroom. What will probably catch you off guard is how business school is a 24/7 proposition... Classes, team meetings, socializing, company presentations, participating in clubs, doing community work, preparing for job interviews, running on-campus events... In no other environment will you be exposed to so much in such a compressed period of time!

The best thing you can do is just throw yourself into it with an open mind (and a big cup of coffee!):

Mr. Shrum warns that being an M.B.A. student can feel more time-consuming and difficult than your previous full-time job. When you aren't in class, you'll be doing group work, attending study sessions or reading on your own.

"You have to embrace the craziness, or it's going to drive you insane," Mr. Shrum says.

For more advice on getting into business school, visit veritasprep.com and take a look at our MBA admissions consulting offerings. Or, call us at (800) 925-7737 and speak with an admissions expert today!