| Brad is a laid back guy, he likes to watch football and | | | | but he would have certainly burned out at the other |
| relax at home with a beer, a salami pizza and a | | | | firm and either quit or gotten fired. Then, where would |
| smoke. He's got his eyes set on this 6 foot tall fashion | | | | he have been? |
| model (let's call her Angelina) who is a vegan, active in | | | | When you meet with an admissions officer, they're |
| politics, hates TV and male sports, and socializes at | | | | looking for somebody who is going to compliment the |
| fashionable events every week. What do you think | | | | school. And believe me, they can usually tell when |
| the chances are that he's going to catch her eye? | | | | somebody isn't going to be the right fit based on the |
| And if he does, how happy do you think the two of | | | | questions they ask and the answers you give. This, in |
| them will be in the long run, especially when she's | | | | fact, is one of the key things they look for in an |
| never home because she's out running around all the | | | | interview. If you know what the school values are, you |
| time and he prefers to stay home? | | | | might be able to fake it. But you would be doing |
| Silly analogy, but you get the point. No matter how | | | | yourself a big disservice. You just might end up getting |
| badly we might want something, sometimes what we | | | | your wish, being admitted.... and regretting it. |
| want is just the wrong fit for us. That can be just as | | | | If you go to a school that really isn't a fit for you, you're |
| true about the MBA program we're thinking of getting | | | | not going to connect with the classes, professors or |
| into. | | | | students, which is ultimately going to lead to an |
| Not all schools are the same. Each one has a different | | | | unhappy time, poor grades and possibly even to |
| atmosphere. Sometimes they have dramatically | | | | dropping out. |
| different atmospheres. The curriculums might be similar, | | | | So, make sure the school you want to attend is the |
| but the professors teaching those curriculums are | | | | right fit for you. The best way to do this is to visit, and |
| going to make a huge difference in how well you do | | | | talk to students and professors. This will give you |
| and how much you enjoy your classes. If you don't fit | | | | something you could never get by reading about the |
| into the culture of that business school, you are going | | | | school. You'll get a feeling for it, and instinctively know if |
| to have a very tough go at it. And, you'll probably be | | | | it's the right fit for you. If you decide you like it, you will |
| miserable. | | | | be able to talk comfortably about why during your |
| I know one guy who always wanted to work a certain | | | | interview. In fact, that will be the easiest part of the |
| large law firm. He finally got an interview and landed | | | | interview, and your enthusiasm will naturally shine |
| the job. After 6 months, he quit. Why? He hated it | | | | through. |
| there. In spite of the reputation of the firm, he found | | | | Lastly, don't worry about what anyone else says |
| that the the atmosphere just didn't sit well with him. He | | | | about which school is best. Only you can decide that. If |
| ended up taking a job with a smaller firm, and stayed | | | | you let others influence your decision, it may turn out to |
| there happily for years. He made slightly less money, | | | | be a huge mistake. |