Making the Most of the Campus Visit

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Ask students to describe the school's culture in their own words, have them discuss the level of competition among students both in class and for jobs, ask about the level of help they receive from the career placement office, and find out if they are satisfied with their decision to attend this program. Keeping in touch after the visit, even if just via e-mail or Facebook, says Wallace, is a way to stay on top of what's happening on campus.

Investigate Job Placement

MBA applicants making a campus visit shouldn't knock on the doors of the career management office, because the staff needs to stay focused on current students, Wallace says. Still, she adds, applicants need to seek information about jobs.

"You need to get the full picture of career management without visiting the office," she says.

Her advice to visitors is to track down job placement statistics for the school and think of the admissions committee as a liaison between candidates and the career office. Direct all career questions to admissions staff and keep an eye out for Web chats or information sessions with career placement representatives, Wallace wrote in an e-mail.

Asking about the latest available placement statistics is an obvious place to start. Candidates should also ask about the kind of help they will get looking for nontraditional jobs, the kinds of workshops that are available through the office, and the types of recruiters who come to campus or have strong relationships with the school. Of course, asking about specific employers and industries that interest you is always a smart idea.

In the school profiles available on this site, you can find out which companies recruit at each program and some recent placement statistics, including the percentage of graduates finding jobs, average salaries, and top internship recruiters.

Get to Know the Faculty

Sitting in on a class is a part of most structured campus visits and will quickly give you a sense of whether professors rely on lectures or case studies, the extent of student participation—even the kind of relationship students have with faculty.

Getting to know the faculty is a smart move, says Bruce DelMonico, director of admissions at Yale School of Management (Yale Full-Time MBA Profile).

"You'll be spending a lot of time in the classroom," he says. "Getting an idea of classroom culture is important."

In class, visitors cannot participate because that right is reserved for paying, enrolled students. By organizing a meeting with a professor who conducts research in the prospective student's target field, a candidate can get a greater perspective on how the business school can help him reach his goals, says Richmond. Questions about the research, how students can get involved in research projects, and what kind of links the faculty have with the greater business community serve candidates well.

"Ask for a sit-down," he says. "It gives you a measure of how accessible the professors are."

Asking the admissions staff to pair a candidate with someone who has similar goals or with the president of a club that interests him, says Abraham, is another way to get more information about the issues most pertinent to that person. Use your time with these individuals to learn about the kinds of roles one could take on as a student.

Is the Program Family Friendly?

Some business school students bring with them a spouse, significant other, and children. Meeting with members of the school-sponsored partner's group or others who have children will give you an idea of what life will be like for your family, points out Wallace. Ask lots of questions about the living arrangements, schools and activities, and jobs, both on campus and in the surrounding area. Be sure to also find out if the campus is family friendly or geared more to single students.

Take the Grand Tour

MBA applicants visit B-schools to get a sense of what life would be like if they joined that particular community. They shouldn't neglect the greater university outside the B-school, Kang says.

"They should explore the entire campus, not just the business school, because the entire university will be at your disposal," he says.

Candidates should ask current students and recent alumni about where students like to hang out, what parts of the university are most relevant and accessible to the business school students, and what living in the city or town is like.

In fact, Wallace says that one of the questions candidates ask current students is, "Where should I grab dinner around here?" She suggests that visitors to her campus check out the Chapel Hill neighborhood beyond the university. In addition to being part of the Research Triangle, a center of high-tech and pharmaceutical research, it is also home to a vibrant music scene.

"Get a feeling for the community you might one day join," she advises.

Di Meglio is a reporter for Businessweek.com in Fort Lee, N.J.

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