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Transitioning to Your Program

February 23, 2018 | Graduate Management Admission Council

To make your transition to a graduate business student easier, have a plan in place. 

Preparing for business school often includes major changes to your current lifestyle. To make the transition successful, have a clear understanding of both your career goals and priorities and discuss these things with people in your industry and program. Read on to hear graduate business admissions professionals share their advice on how hit the ground running in your program. 

Discuss your career goals

As you commence work on your graduate management degree, start planning for your future career goals. Conduct informational interviews with people in the workforce and those that are already doing the job that interests you.  

Prioritize your education

As a business school student, it’s important to be in the right state of mind. For your own benefit, and the benefit of your peers, your first priority should be dedication to the program. Many students balance work and other activities but success in your program requires commitment to your education.  

Talk to your peers

Talk to as many people as can who have already started your program. For example, if you are applying to a multi-year program, talk to students that have already completed their first year. Hear first-hand the lessons learned and trust the advice from your peers regarding the best pathway to success.

Video: How should I prepare for graduate school after being out for several years?

Full Video Transcript

It can be a little intimidating if you've been in the professional world for a while to think about going back to school. And I think the message that we like to give candidates is that, you know, this is what we do all the time. We help students transition back into school and then help them make their next steps in their career. So if they've been having a strong professional experience, really, they're in a great position. There's nothing to worry about. We don't feel like there's any classes that they really need to take. We do offer some preterm coursework to help get them brushed up on topics, but as far as enrolling in classes or really studying prior to enrollment, we don't really think that's necessary. The on the job experiences that you've been having is really gonna benefit you in the Kellogg classroom and other classrooms as well. Taking that experience and being able to use it in the classroom to help your fellow classmates learn is gonna be what we're looking for.