BSchool.com Business Schools Directory

The Internet has made searching for top business schools and MBA programs much easier but also overwhelming. When you want MBA rankings and thorough but easy-to-read descriptions of the best business schools, you can turn to well-researched lists from BusinessWeek, The Princeton Review and others. These directories feature information about the campus environment, faculty, administration, career resources, graduation and retention rate, admissions, and even personal testimonies from students who attend those schools. Don’t get caught up in a school’s overall rank: look for the specific factors that are considered, and evaluate your needs against those rankings. For instance, if a school ranks highest for best career resources and networking connections but comes in at a lower rank overall, don’t dismiss the school altogether if your main reason for getting an MBA is to make professional contacts and advance your career. Another tip for making the most of business school directories and MBA rankings is to compare lists and understand the different ranking systems of each list. Schools are rarely ranked in the exact same order, so to get a more realistic feel for top business schools, make sure you compare several directories.

Look for business school directories that are not directly affiliated with any business schools; otherwise, their rankings might be biased and therefore unfounded. Also beware of school websites that claim to be highly ranked on national polls or other listings but do not link to or specifically reference the list. If you are suspicious about a school falsely claiming a high rank, then double check the original list to verify the recognition. Also check the year that the list was published: if the school topped the list five years ago but hasn’t been seen since, then the program may have failed to keep up with industry standards and cutting edge courses that train students in areas like technology and international business affairs.

When researching business school directories and lists of MBA rankings, don’t neglect to conduct your own background checks. Just because a school gets a good score on a national list does not mean that it is a good fit for you. Consider factors like program flexibility and the kinds of enrollment options available, like online programs, and evening or weekend schedules. This feature could play a more important role in your academic and professional successes than other ranked factors like government funding or financial aid. Check the school’s website to get a feel for its specific mission and program goals for students: this message and the overall feel of a college or university may be more important to you than cold numbers and statistics.