When researching your dream business school, it can be hard to find all the information you need online. Factors like culture, work-life balance, career impact, and personal growth can often only be determined by speaking directly with people who have experienced the program.

But who exactly should you talk to? Christie Jenkins (pictured right), assistant director, MBA Recruiting and Admissions at the University of Texas at Austin McCombs School of Business, recommends speaking to both alumni and current students to get the full picture of a program. 

“Current students can give you the latest perspective of recently introduced electives, which classes they’ve enjoyed the best, and what organizations they're getting the most out of,” she says. “Whereas alumni can help you see the long range of where this degree may take you in the future.” 

So, how can you find those informed people to help make your choice?  

How do you reach out to students and alumni?

According to Wienson Tran (pictured right), senior recruiting officer, Master of Science programs at UT Austin, the best ways to reach out to alumni and students are by using a school’s website, LinkedIn search, or even getting in contact with a school directly. 

“If you're not able to find anyone on LinkedIn yourself it doesn't hurt to ask the admissions team,” he explains.

Another good idea is reaching out to people you know and look up to professionally. 

When senior HR manager Judy Barker decided to fill gaps in her business communication skills, two of her professional mentors recommended UT Austin's Weekend MBA at Houston as a way to hone her abilities.

Judy’s next step was to visit the Houston campus and meet students for herself: “I was able to introduce myself to the community before I made the decision to actually enroll, which was really important, because it showed me what I would get to be a part of.”

Similarly, before enrolling, marketing and finance grad Eleni Kapetanakis (pictured right) also sought a master's program that would grow her skillset—particularly in the realm of marketing analytics.

 

With her sights set on UT Austin, she decided to attend a panel-led info session to connect with program directors and alumni. This experience convinced her to enroll in the Master of Science in Marketing program. 

“It was a very valuable introductory session, as we got to understand how alumni were utilizing the tools they picked up during the program in their current roles,” Eleni says.

To get the maximum possible value out of these introductions, both Eleni and Judy needed to ask the right questions. So, what were they?

How do you get a feel for the campus culture?

Making connections is an intrinsic (and, arguably, the most important) part of business school life. However, the only way to become acquainted with a school’s atmosphere is to speak with the people in it.

“I was super curious about the dynamic of the cohort, whether they were very friendly with each other, or whether it was a competitive program. I wanted to make sure that I was joining a program that fostered a very friendly and cohesive environment where people had the opportunity to get to connect with each other on an individual basis,” Eleni shares. 

How do you gauge the program’s flexibility?

Pursuing a graduate business degree takes a great deal of time and effort—and not all programs offer the same degree of flexibility to busy students. Often, the best way to discover how people balance their college schedules is to ask them directly. 

As a professional with a busy career, time management was a top priority for Judy (pictured below): “Getting [a student] perspective on balancing life, school, and a career gave me really helpful tips for how to prepare myself for success.”

How do you uncover the true career impact?

Business degrees often require significant investment of both time and finances. That’s why it’s important to ensure you’re going to get bang for your buck in terms of career progression. 

“I asked students: did you find the program valuable? How did it change the course of your career?” Judy shares. 

Similarly, if location is important to you, it’s a good idea to ask graduates where they ended up working—particularly as this information isn’t always posted on school websites.

Given that location was a priority for Eleni, she made sure to find out exactly where UT Austin grads were landing roles.

“I knew going into this program that I wanted to have a career in Austin, so it was important for me to know where alumni were working after the program. I also wanted to see if there was variety to the industries that they were working in,” she says.

How do you ask about the personal impact?

Often, the most valuable assets students gain from a program are the ones that aren’t as tangible as academics or income. Studying in an environment that allows you to grow and develop as an individual is just as fundamental as the new skills you’re looking to put on a resume. 

Judy was especially interested in hearing alumni’s personal stories: “Their change in perspective and how they apply that to being leaders in the business world was something I really wanted to understand, too, because I am hoping to emerge from the program as a stronger business leader.”

There you have it: some of the top questions and topics to ask business school students and alumni when deciding on your dream school.