Ranking Masters in Management Programs: Six Questions to Ask Every Graduate Business Admissions Officer

Comparing rival Masters in Management programs is a challenge for applicants. The only criteria-based ranking, QS World University Rankings, is helpful. However, it doesn’t reveal what the learning experience is like at different schools. Most program websites share only a cursory overview of day-to-day life from a student’s perspective. Admissions-sponsored events put such a positive gloss on their programs it’s hard to get to know what’s it really like to attend.

Prospective students can assemble their own ranking of Masters in Management graduate degree programs by asking six key questions. These questions get to the heart of the who, what, how, where, when, and why of any program. Use these questions as a checklist in talking to admissions officers, faculty, and students during visits and orientation sessions. Take note when school representatives duck a question or fail to be transparent about how things really work.

1. Who will I interact with?

Look for a diverse student body with a strong contingent of students from many different countries, undergraduate majors, and interests. Be alert if more than half of the students come from one country (even the U.S.) or one undergraduate major.

Seek out faculty that have corporate experience in a range of industries. Watch out for faculty members that have never led employee teams or have a narrow research focus. Be wary if faculty profiles are not readily available. It may be a sign there’s a lot of faculty turnover. Prize dedicated career and academic support. When students can tell you a lot about their career counselor, you’ve found a program with an asset. It’s a sign that the career advisor has built one-on-one relationships with students.

2. What’s the program’s focus?

Make sure the program is focused on the foundational skills recent college graduates need to succeed in business. Be skeptical of programs that offer lots of electives and allow students to take classes across the business school. This may appear attractive but can often place MiM students in courses that don’t address their foundational needs and in teams with MBA students who have quite different learning needs and career goals.

Look for tailored programs that emphasize a core curriculum that includes financial literacy, strategy, communications, marketing, analysis, innovation, organization and behavior, and customer-centricity. Make sure that only MiM students are included in classes so you can become part of a community of learners. Beware classes that exceed 50 students. Large classes make it harder to build relationships with faculty and fellow students.

3. How does learning take place?

Avoid programs that rely heavily on only classroom-based learning. Seek out programs that incorporate classroom learning with experiential learning. Experiential learning relies on projects with corporate partners conducted by small student teams. Experiential learning builds Smart skills such as emotional maturity, adaptability, strategic thinking, developing multiple perspectives, and listening. Smart skills ladder up to higher level capabilities such as teamwork, effective communication, leadership, and problem-solving that are highly desired by employers.

Look for programs that have as many projects as possible and make them a mandatory part of the curriculum. Make sure experiential projects are supported by faculty mentors, strong company partnerships, and dedicated time to undertake the work. Ask to see a list of project partners and returning companies. A high number of repeat project partners is a great indicator the projects are generating value.

4. Where’s the return on investment?

Don’t mix up the cost of the tuition with the actual cost after scholarship or mash up placement rates with the quality of the jobs that students obtain. Examine career outcomes by searching LinkedIn for recent graduates and asking the program’s career counselor for lists of job titles and industries among their graduates. Focus on the companies and the roles. Are these the jobs you’d like to have?

Starting salary data can be very deceiving so treat it with a grain of salt. Placement rates for strong programs should exceed 80%. Be skeptical of programs that claim +95% placement rates – didn’t any graduate go on to further education, decide to travel, or take a job in a family business?

Don’t avoid programs with high tuition. Two of the top three schools in the MiM ratings have above-average tuition combined with great employment results. Keep in mind that the best measure of return on investment is the quality of the graduate jobs compared to the actual price (tuition, minus scholarship, and on-campus work).

5. When does learning occur?

Ask about the events that occur outside of the classes and project meetings. Seek out schools that provide an ample array of clubs, industry networking events, and case competitions. Look for schools in markets where there are opportunities to network with executives in high-growth industries. Make sure MiM students are allowed to join MBA or undergraduate clubs and case competitions.

Put a high value on programs that create learning experiences that are just for MiM students such as MiM career events, guest speakers, and panel discussions with local leaders. Most importantly, make sure that there is a high number of experiential events. Visits to local companies, innovation hackathons, storytelling evenings, and public service days are notable examples of the events to look for. Ask about times when the entire cohort of MiM students get together.

Don’t ignore fun. Social engagement and relaxation are an important part of student success. Does the program celebrate success through opportunities to get together over a meal or fun activities? Ask about what students do on their own and how they socialize together. Is there a sense of community?

6. Why?

Obtaining a feel for the culture of a business school or a program is one of the most difficult tasks for an applicant. Your journey begins by watching what the program leaders celebrate and praise. Collaboration should be more important than competition. Improvement should be more important than achievement. Respect and listening should be more important than speed to impact. Students and faculty will give you the straight scoop if you ask them about culture and values.

Trust your gut

Asking these six key questions should allow prospective students to evaluate programs thoroughly. Be rigorous and create a sheet that compares how different programs rate on each question. In the end fit matters most. Do the values that the students and faculty espouse fit yours? Do you want to hang out with the students you meet? Did you feel comfortable with the faculty encounter? If the answer is yes and your six questions have been answered – you’ve found the right place.

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About the author: Fred Geyer is the Director of the Masters in Management program at Boston University Questrom Business School. He is currently pursuing his third career after initial success in marketing and general management at General Foods, Crayola and Electrolux and in his second career as a Senior Partner at Prophet Growth and Transformation Consulting. He is the co-author of the Definitive Guide to B2B Digital Transformation and a teacher in the Masters in Management program.

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