Networking And Admissions Advice Q&A: Concordia University, John Molson School Of Business

To find out about networking and admissions support at Concordia University, John Molson School of Business, we spoke to the school’s recruitment and marketing manager for graduate programs, Keum-Yeo (Anna) Brochet (pictured below).

How can I get the most out of attending admission events?

It varies depending on your personal objectives. Some candidates go to MBA or Masters fairs to initiate their search and find out more about the GMAT, the types of available programs or general application requirements.

Other candidates have already done most of their search and come to events with the goal of meeting specific school representatives to find out in-depth details about the programs they’re interested in.

In my opinion, the best way to make the most out of attending an admission event is to first figure out the reason why you’re attending it, and to identify the stage of the application where you are. If you are at the preliminary search stage, you should gather as much general information as possible. Don’t hesitate to pick up brochures and attend presentations, panels and workshops. Discuss with other candidates the reasons why they are at the event and network with recruiters.

If you have already decided to go to graduate school, start identifying programs of interest to you based on a variety of factors (personal and professional goals, business school teaching methodology, location, cost, personal fit, etc.) and initiate a conversation with the school representatives. Keep your questions as general as possible, so the answers provided can benefit other candidates as well. Get our contact information and schedule a one-to-one meeting with us after the fair if you have very specific questions or if you wish to discuss your profile in detail. Our goal is to help you find the right fit for your academic and professional goals, so don’t hesitate to connect with us in person.

What are the benefits of attending these events?

One of the biggest benefits of attending an MBA or Masters event is the opportunity to meet with a variety of schools all at once and to gather a wide array of information. Business school representatives travel from all over the country and even the world to meet with graduate program candidates and to tell them more about programs offered. Meeting face to face allows candidates to ask about everything that can’t be found online, and get more in-depth details about various programs and the study environment provided by the school. Candidates can also get admissions advice, resume feedback and GMAT-related information, since various panels and workshops take place.  

What would you recommend the applicant do to prepare for these events?

I would recommend you do some research online prior to meeting with the school representatives. I would also recommend to list out the few things that matter to you when it comes to choosing a business school. Is it class size, ranking, price, program type or something else? List the items in negotiable items and the non-negotiable items columns. For example, you might be willing to compromise on the location of the program, but you might not be willing to compromise on the class size. Keep these factors in mind as you prepare for the event and the information provided will help you assess whether a school is a good fit for you.

Can the Alumni Networks help me with the admission process?

Speaking to alumni and current students is the best way to get more details about the program and to find out what to expect from a student perspective. Alumni can tell you more about the student experience, the opportunities outside of the classroom, the support provided by the faculty and their journey during the program. On the other hand, admission-related questions are best answered by a school representative, as requirements and regulations may change from one year to another. At the John Molson School of Business, our team is more than happy to provide you with personalized support and to provide you with answers to all of your admissions questions.

How important is it to talk to alumni before applying to a school? What is the best way to contact them?

I recommend graduate program candidates get in touch with alumni and current student ambassadors to find out more about what the school offers both from an academic and student life perspective. At JMSB, the best way to contact them is usually through the ambassador page of the school, although most of our students are also on LinkedIn.

Does your school publish networking events and fairs? How do I find them in my city?

You can find the list of events that we are attending here. Our team is also happy to arrange in-person meetings or coffee chats, as well as Skype meetings if we are not visiting your city. Feel free to reach out to us at gradadvisor.jmsb@concordia.ca