Pick a program type -- full-time, part-time or online -- that will fit into your schedule. If you plan on working full-time while pursuing an MBA degree, a part-time program might be better suited. Some full-time MBA programs can be completed in one year, although most will take two years to complete. There are also evening programs for those students who will be working full-time during the day. Executive MBA programs are designed for the working MBA student but aren't as comprehensive as regular MBA programs. Some programs are offered entirely online or have online components for those students who can't physically attend class on a regular basis.
Select a specialization like finance, marketing or entrepreneurship. When you select a specialization, you will take additional classes that provide a well-rounded education in that particular field. Decide what type of work interests you and visualize where you want to see yourself in the future. If you are great with numbers, finance may be a specialization that interests you. If you are interested in running your own business, consider studying entrepreneurship.
Determine the type of job you want to pursue with your MBA degree. For example, if interested in becoming a marketing executive, pursue a specialization in marketing. Those interested in CFO or CEO positions might pursue a specialization in finance or management.
Find a school that offers a strong program in your specialty. Not all MBA programs offer a specialization in every subject. For example, health care administration is a specialization not offered by every MBA school. BusinessWeek ranks business schools by specialization. Look at the school's course offerings to see if that school offers classes that you find interesting and engaging in your specialization.
Research MBA programs. Some programs are highly-ranked and prestigious, and many graduates from these schools go on to lead some of the top companies in the U.S. Both BusinessWeek and U.S. News & World Report rank MBA programs every year by competitiveness and graduate achievement. Also research the cost of attendance, as most private schools will cost more than public universities. Pick a school that is within your budget.
Choose a location. There is probably at least one school with an MBA program near you. If you want to move to attend school, you will have more options. When selecting a school, think about the city where the school is located. For instance, if you plan to study finance and pursue an internship on Wall Street, attending a school in or near New York City may be to your advantage.
Look at the class profile for the current MBA class. The class profile is usually listed online as part of the school's MBA program description. The class profile will indicate the class size, the incoming median GMAT or GRE score and GPA, age and sex. Select at least one MBA program where your GMAT and GPA meet or exceed the median score. Then select a program where your score meets or is lower than the average score, your number one or dream school. This program may be harder to get into, but you can make your application stand out with your experience and extracurricular and community activities.
Visit the school and speak with an admissions counselor. Get a feel for the campus and surrounding neighborhood. If you are moving away to attend school, check out their dorms and rent prices in the nearby community. Ask a counselor what types of employers hired students that graduated in the past few years, what type of internships MBA students took part in and what companies recruit MBA students at the school's career fairs.