This blog critique shines the spotlight on Top MBA, a small but multinational company which specializes in creating solutions and aiding post-graduate students from around the world in their search for the best graduate study programs as well as prospective employers. Created for the purpose of linking students to post-graduate universities and MBA programs from all over the world, the blog aims to provide a one-stop online database of prospective employee and employer profiles.
The site is a repository of graduate school and job information. Major sections on the site include:
- MBA admissions
- MBA rankings
- MBA programs
- MBA careers
- Links to global business schools
- Online career guide
What makes Top MBA unique
The blog also has applications that lets users view their rankings and share information with contacts on Facebook and LinkedIn, as well as a forum where users can participate and share information. The site also features a section called the TopMBA Fair, where one can browse through schedules of business school seminars and panels held all over the world.
What separates TopMBA.com from other job pooling sites is that it does not focus its efforts on the recruiters or job seekers alone. It also works actively with schools in order to prepare future graduates for life after graduation. This comes in handy for schools with a large segment of foreign students who will need job opportunities back home. One of the site?s most visited pages is the careers page which features international jobs offered by top MBA recruiters. The site?s FAQs section also offers a helpful resource on panels, GMAT, masterclasses, and options for those looking for part-time MBA programs.
Areas for improvement
Like any other blog, this one can make do with some minor improvements. For one, a better layout is in order. The website?s layout, although it fits with the whole corporate feel that the company is trying to achieve, borders on the bland and safe. The fonts could also use more saturation to make them pop out better.
When choosing which MBA school to attend, you may want to consider going to a reputable and prestigious school. Going to a well-known MBA school may help to develop your full potential in business administration. This article will cover 2008′s top three MBA schools in America: Kellogg, Chicago Booth, and Harvard.
Kellogg School of Management (NorthwesternUniversity)
The Kellogg School of Management has developed into one of the leading MBA schools in the country. Ever since the school was first founded in 1908, Kellogg School of Management has attrtacted numerous students from many different countries around the world. With its diverse student body, MBA students at Kellogg have the opportunity to develop their skills, their education, and their social network. The Kellogg School of Management provides services for online application to their various MBA programs. Applicants should just make sure to double-check the application requirements before confirming their application.
University of Chicago Booth School of Business
The University of Chicago Booth School of Business is another premier MBA school in the US. In fact, there are numerous Chicago Booth MBA-holders that have been recognized and awarded for their accomplishments in their fields. Students can choose flexible schedules with the various programs offered at Chicago Booth, including night, weekend, and full-time programs for PhD, MBA, and executive courses. Those who want to apply to Chicago Booth should check the application section on the school’s website.
Harvard Business School, also known as HBS, is one of the most esteemed MBA schools in America and in the world. HBS is renowned for its curriculum and quality of education, but the school is also known for its educational system, which fosters strong leadership skills through the use of case studies and real-world challenges. Numerous people have garnered success and acclaim after getting an HBS MBA degree. Those who are looking to further develop their knowledge, training, and values at Harvard Business School can apply through the school’s website.
At first glance, it may seem as though it’s easy to find and choose one of the top MBA schools to apply to. In truth, although there are a number of excellent MBA schools to attend, these schools seem so similar that it becomes hard to choose which one to apply to. Here are the profiles of three of the top MBA schools in the country:
Kelley School of Business is part of Indiana University. Originally, the school was named the School of Commerce and Finance, which was later renamed as the School of Business. The school received its current name in 1997, when E.W. Kelley made a donation of over $20 million to the school and, in return, the school took on his namesake. People who want to apply for the various MBA programs, undergraduate programs, doctoral programs, executive education programs, or specialized master’s degree programs can apply through Kelley School of Business’ website.
The University of California in Los Angeles has one of the country’s best MBA schools in Anderson School. The school has gained a good reputation for its numerous MBA programs and post-graduate programs, which include PhD, executive MBA, and master of Financial Engineering programs. Anderson School has a number of special programs that are a part of the UCLA-NUS, such as Management Development programs, Global Executive MBA programs, and Management Communication programs. The Anderson School website has an application page for those who want to study at this school.
Leonard N. Stern School of Business
New York University’s Leonard N. Stern School of Business has become a premier educational institution for MBA programs of various types. From undergraduate studies in various business fields to full-time and part-time MBA programs, Stern School has a variety of courses for students to choose from. The school gets its name from Leonard N. Stern, who donated an amount of $30 million to the school. People can submit their NYU Stern applications through the school’s website.
An MBA degree can prove to be a solid foundation when you are paving the way towards success along your career path. The skills, education, and experience that you gain through an MBA education will increase your market value as a professional. Aside from this, MBA school gives you a chance to create a solid network of colleagues, friends, professionals, and people from different backgrounds. Here are some tips on why networking is important and how you can get started on your own network.
Networking: why should you care?
* In the classroom – Perhaps the most obvious way that networking can benefit you is through school help. When you miss a class, need some notes, or need reliable group mates for a certain project, your first consideration should be the people in your network.
* Beyond the classroom – Aside from getting help in school, the bonds that you form with your colleagues in MBA school will go well beyond time you spend in school. Since you are dealing with people from different professions and backgrounds, some of the people in your network may become your business partners, associates, employees, or good friends in the future. The idea is to create a ‘net’ that can ‘work’ to support both yourself and the others in your network.
Networking: how is it done?
* Socializing – Freeing up some time to socialize, talk to others, and meet new acquaintances is a good way to start networking. When you meet new people, ask about where they are from, what they do, and what their plans are. Simply talking with other people is one of the best ways of forming and expanding your network.
* Study groups and group work – There are numerous class activities that will require group work. Whether you are studying as a group or you are working together on a difficult case study, these classroom experiences will help to develop your network.
* Groups and organizations – You can also try joining groups and organizations that fit in with your interests and objectives. This is a great way of meeting other people who you share common interests with.
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Enrolling in an MBA program can prove to be very expensive, which usually means applying for student loans. Although getting an MBA degree is a good investment, this takes a lot of effort, time, and money. Before you even come close to the benefits of an MBA program, you will have to pay off the student loans you applied for. Here are some ways on how you will be able to do so:
Be a working student
Just because you are pursuing an MBA degree, it doesn’t mean you have to quit your job. In fact, there are MBA schools out there that offer night and weekend programs, which are especially designed for working professionals. Working while studying will allow you to save money and pay for other expenses such as your bills, textbooks, and food.
Consider debt consolidation
With several school loans, you may consider the option of debt consolidation for a lower interest rate, with only a single loan to pay off. Just remember to study carefully the terms of this option.
Learn to adjust
Try not to spend too much on things you don’t really need. Instead of dining out in posh restaurants, go for simpler but healthy meals at home. Save as much as you can.
Ask your employer if he or she is willing to support your MBA education
There are a lot of companies out there that would consider their employees an asset and a worthwhile investment. Check if the company you work for have policies on this. There also are companies that would offer to pay for your loan on the condition that you work for them for a certain period of time.
Look for loan forgiveness programs
You may want to check with the MBA school if it has loan forgiveness programs. These are usually given to students who have low-paying jobs at non-profit organizations. Not all MBA schools offer these so it is best to inquire first.
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Being enrolled in an MBA program may take a lot of your time, especially if you are also working on the side. Work and school are, of course, not the only things that make up your life. This is why it is important for you to manage your time effectively if you want to earn your MBA degree on time, do good at work, and be able to spend time with your friends and family. If you are having trouble doing this, here are a few time management tips so you can alleviate unwarranted stress from a chaotic schedule:
Set your goals and prioritize
You should know what your priorities are first and foremost. There are times when you will need to choose between your MBA school work and your job; it is important to know which comes first. Ideally, you shouldn’t compromise your time for studying and doing your job. The best solution for this is to avoid cramming and to always be prepared.
Make a schedule and stick to it
Work out a daily or weekly schedule for you to follow almost religiously. This way, you get to have a certain structure to your day already. You should assess how many hours you usually need to study and how many hours of work you have. If you are able to do this, then your time is pretty much compressed, giving you some free time for other things such as dates, dinner with the family, or party with friends.
Make a plan
Get everything ready for work and school. List down the things you need to accomplish for the day and see to it that you finish them on time. If not, use your free time to accomplish the task.
Give yourself a break
You also need to care for your health. Too much stress can affect the way you do your job or perform in school. Find time to rest and relax. After accomplishing a big task, let yourself enjoy a few chats and laughs with family and friends.
Have faith in yourself
A positive mindset can help make studying and working much easier for you. Find motivation in what you do. Think of the rewards you can get in earning an MBA degree.
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Earning an MBA degree certainly gives you the arsenal to survive in the highly competitive environment of the corporate world. It gives you a higher chance of getting promoted and earning more. But before you start look for MBA essay samples, you must first know your reasons for enrolling in an MBA program. Different MBA programs have different requirements; some of them may require some level of work experience for you to be eligible for admission.
The importance of work experience
There are college students in who dropped out or wasted their time shifting relentlessly in between courses, not knowing what they should specialize in. The same goes for MBA programs. But with enough experience working, you may figure out the field you would like to specialize in. Work experience will also give you the chance to know what you’re good at. This is part of the reason work experience is important for MBA.
Applying for an MBA program, your resume will most likely include a list of experiences. This will help the admissions committee assess your eligibility for the program. Your work experience can also be a means to evaluate the skills you already have or have already put into practice while working in a real-world setting. For some MBA specializations, work experience in a relevant field would also increase your chances of getting accepted for the MBA program of choice.
Highlighting your experience in the admission essay
Admission essays are not summaries of your resume, but should include detailed facts about you such as personal qualities and skills that make you a good candidate for an MBA degree. To do this, you may need to highlight relevant school and work experience. MBA essay samples would give you a clearer idea how to write about your experience. In using MBA essay samples as a guide, you may write a winning admission essay.
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There are various reasons for the importance of an MBA degree if you want to enhance your career. Whatever career you want to pursue or enhance, you can can have various choices for an MBA specialization that would suit your career goals. If you are interested in investment banking, for instance, having an MBA degree is an advantage. The following are some of the reasons why an MBA degree is beneficial if you want to pursue a job as an investment banker.
Advantages of having an MBA degree in investment banking
The job of an investment banker requires expertise. An MBA program will help you achieve this expertise by honing your skills necessary in this profession. An MBA degree will also give you knowledge regarding the useful things you have to know about investment banking. This knowledge will help you understand company management issues. And if you have a thorough understanding of the ins and outs of the business, it is easier for you to find solutions to certain company problems you encounter.
An MBA can also enhance your career as an investment banker by making you understand the different techniques and theories in business management and in the world of finance. By having a broad knowledge on these theories and techniques, you can find strategies and methods you can apply for more efficient company operations.
Ways to get into an MBA program
Getting into an MBA program means you have to compete with other qualified people for a slot in the school where you want to enroll in. So it is very important that you create a good impression to the admission officers. And you can only achieve this when you make the necessary preparations for taking standardized tests and submitting the requirements. Some of the important documents you have to prepare are your resume and letter of recommendations from your professors. Another important requirement that you should exert much effort on is your MBA personal statement. Your MBA personal statement is your way to reveal your reasons and motivations in taking an MBA program. You also have to include in your MBA personal statement your unique qualities and skills that make you a potential candidate for an MBA school.
You just have to be committed in performing your best to reach your goals. And you will see that your efforts will be paid off.
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