Best MBA Program

There is a lot to consider when you are trying to find the best MBA program.

With so many rankings out there, it can be confusing as to which rankings, if any, are useful in your MBA search.

To simplify things, we have provided a 10-point checklist of things to consider when looking at MBA programs.

Do note that when considering the best MBA program, the only important choices are the ones that are applicable to you.

If something about the school, program, or curriculum is not important to you, don't even consider that aspect of it.

These considerations are not listed in order of importance. In fact, these factors are only relevant if they have meaning to you. Below is a list of important considerations that will help you find the best MBA program...

• Business school - Is it well respected and/or prestigious? Does it have a defined reputation or culture? Is it known for a certain type of program? Has it been around along time? Has it made certain types of rankings?
• Location - Will you have to relocate to attend the program? Is it conveniently located? Is it in the United States or internationally based? Is on-campus attendance required? Is the program online or distance-based?
• Accreditation - Is it institutionally accredited regionally or nationally? Does it have specialized accreditation such as AACSB, ACBSP, or IACBE? How long has it been accredited?
• Admission Requirements - What is the required GMAT score? What is the required undergraduate GPA? Is work experience required? What prerequisites are required before entering the program? Are requirements minimums or averages?
• Program Format - What is the program type? Does the program fit your lifestyle? How long will the program take to complete? Is there more than one enrollment term? How many units can be taken per term?
• Financial Implications - What does the program cost? Is there a different rate for non-residents? What do the books, fees, and other expenses cost? Is a laptop or other equipment required? What forms of financial aid are available? What is the ROI?
• Classmates - How many students in the program? What is the average class size? Is the program based on cohorts? What is the average age of the students in the program? Does the program cater to certain types of people? Is there a diverse student population?
• Course Content - Are the foundation classes well represented? Are elective classes available? Does the curriculum have the specializations (tracks, concentrations, emphases, focuses)? Is there a lock-step class sequence? Is there a final project or thesis option?
• Learning Methods - What teaching methods are favored? Is the case-study method used? Are lectures used a lot? Is there a lot of collaboration and group work required? Is there a focus on quantitative methods or theory?
• Career Resources - Does it have the resources to help you with your career goals? What networking opportunities are available? Are internships offered or encouraged? Is recruiting done actively? Does the program do well with job placement?

The best MBA program for everyone else is not necessarily the best MBA program for you. Remember, what makes a particular program the "best program" is the fact that the program is the best for you!