Network Your Way to an MBA

People always talk about how much networking can help students get into top MBA programs, but what do they really mean? Yael Redelman-Sidi, an experienced admissions consultant at Admit 1 MBA, offers this advice on the do's and don'ts of MBA networking to About.com readers:

Do's:

• Do Your Research - Read about the school you're applying to before you meet with anyone from the program. Make sure you know how to pronounce names properly and know the basics--is it a case-study/immersion/concentrations-based program, etc.
• Do Get Yourself Out There - Make every effort to go and meet the school's representatives at MBA conferences, information sessions in your area, or even online webinars and tours. This is a great way to gather information about the school that can be used later in applications and essays.
• Do Your Homework - Spend time thinking about your career goals and the best way to tell your story before meeting people. If you tell the admissions committee representative, "I'm debating between full-time, part-time, executive, and online MBA programs," they might not take you as seriously as you would like.

Don'ts:

• Don't Neglect Current Students and Alumni - They are a great resource to learn about the school and the school's mission. It's also the first step to building your MBA network.
• Don't Postpone - Start networking as soon as you start thinking about an MBA. The networking process takes time; the earlier you start the higher your chances are of submitting a quality application on time.

Visit Admit 1 MBA for more MBA admissions tips from Yael.