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How to Narrow Down Your List of Target Schools


Eric Allen
Lesson by Eric Allen
Magoosh Expert

Summary
The essence of narrowing down your MBA school list involves a comprehensive evaluation of personal priorities, program characteristics, and practical constraints. This process is crucial for crafting a focused and feasible application strategy.
  • Begin by revisiting the prepare phase to understand the framework for selecting target schools, managing risk, and choosing based on a set of criteria.
  • Evaluate personal reasons for pursuing an MBA, such as prestige, training, and networking, and weigh these against program attributes like size, location, and culture.
  • Consider practical restrictions like essay limits, recommender capacity, and your ability to visit schools, which can guide your school selection process.
  • Affordability and genuine excitement about the prospect of attending a school are critical factors in finalizing your list.
  • Engage with preparatory modules and exercises to refine your list to a core set of schools that align with your professional, academic, and emotional needs.
Chapters
00:00
Understanding the Selection Framework
01:52
Identifying Personal and Program Priorities
04:24
Navigating Practical Restrictions and Affordability
07:11
Making the Final Decision with Heart

This video was created in partnership with admit.me.