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There are several factors to consider when deciding where to apply.
Information on these factors can be found in magazine rankings of business
schools, books that profile business schools, prospectus materials from the
schools themselves, and Internet web sites.
Overall Reputation: Rankings like those produced each year in
Business Week and US News and World Report can give some idea of a school's
reputation relative to other schools. Reputation can be important for
placement success, because companies will sometimes only recruit at certain
schools.
Instructional Method: Two predominant methods are theory based and
case method. Theory based coursework emphasizes learning theory in lecture
formats. Case method emphasizes discussions about real-life business
situations and how to resolve them. Some schools, like Harvard, are case
method only, but most schools offer a blend of both. Instructional method is
usually discussed in a school's prospectus.
Curriculum: If you are interested in a particular concentration,
find out which schools are noted for that field of study. Northwestern's
Kellogg School, for example, is considered to have one of the best Marketing
departments in the country. Consult any one of several books that profile
business schools and highlight noteworthy departments for more information.
You may find information using the MBA websites to which BC has links.
Placement Success: This is often a measure in determining
published rankings of business schools. Check the business school's
prospectus to see what companies recruit on campus, what percentages of
graduates are employed within three months of graduation, and what the
average starting salary is for graduates with different concentrations and
different backgrounds (prior industry experience, length of experience).
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