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Head start on your MBA

Earning a college degree in any subject will boost your job prospects and, likely, your starting salary. But furthering your education with a master’s degree in business can deliver even greater advantages.

If you’re thinking about going on for a master’s degree, you’re likely aware of the amount of classroom and study time you’ll have to invest.

But according to Robert Franek, editorial director of The Princeton Review, success in business school begins before you get there.

Franek is the chief expert on higher education issues for The Princeton Review, publisher of more than 200 guides on college and graduate school.

He recently spoke with Decision Times writer Tranette Ledford and offered the following advice for service members interested in enrolling in business school.

Q Do service members generally make good candidates for business school?

A Students with military experience should be energized and reassured in their research of business schools. They are well-heeled candidates for admission thanks to the experiences they bring to the table. Working with teams, holding command positions, honing razor-sharp management skills, and being able to act quickly in difficult situations are just a few examples.

Q Is a prospective student’s military service considered when applying for admission to business school, and if so, how?

A Business schools have traditionally favored applicants who have done something other than been a continuous student since graduating from college. It means candidates have matured and bring real-world experience to the classroom. Because business school is designed for you to learn from your classmates, each student’s contribution is important, and your contributions will be enhanced by your experiences.

Q When it comes to essay topics on the application, are there any “right” or preferable subjects to cover?

A Some students may worry they don’t have interesting stories to tell. Or maybe you just don’t know what to write. What do you do? Ideally, several months before your application is due, you should read the essay questions and begin to think about your answers. Could you describe an ethical dilemma you faced? Are you involved in anything outside your official duties? If not, now is the time to do something about it. Look back over your calendar and see if you can find some meaty experiences for the essays. Keep your eyes open for a situation that involves questionable ethics. And if all you do is work, work, work, get involved in activities that round out your background.

Q Who are the best people to ask for recommendations?

A By the time you apply to business school, you shouldn’t have to scramble for recommendations. Like the material for your essays, sources for recommendations should be considered long before the application is due. Good work is a prerequisite. Whom you ask is equally important. Commanding officers who know you well will recommend you on both personal and professional levels. Business-school recommendations are made in confidence; you probably won’t see exactly what’s been written about you. Choose someone you can trust to deliver the kind of recommendation that will push you over the top.

Q How important are math skills in business school?

A Number-crunching is an inescapable part of business school. If your experience has failed to develop your quantitative skills or you got a low Graduate Management Admission Test math score, take an accounting or statistics course for credit at a local college or business school. Getting a decent grade will go a long way toward convincing the admissions committee you can manage the quantitative challenges of the program.

Decision Times writer Tranette Ledford interviews a career transition expert each month for the Ask an Expert column.