Decision Time

Post by:
Anya Thomas
Public and Nonprofit MBA 2012

I know what you’re going through.

Exactly one year ago I was waiting to hear back from the MBA programs I had applied to. I can hardly express the elation I felt when I opened an acceptance letter or received a phone call telling me I was admitted to a program. However, my joy was slightly dampened when I realized that with options came the need to make a significant decision. This decision would not only affect me for the next two years, but also for the rest of my life.

So I know what you’re going through.

The good news is that you’ve done the hard work and you’ve emerged victorious. Just don’t stop there. Before you make the two year commitment, visit BU again, come to Open House, make sure you know the culture that the BU School of Management has to offer.

BU’s Open House was the turning point in my decision making process. As I mingled with students, staff, and faculty I was pleased to see how much they enjoyed relating to each other. This created an energetic and inviting atmosphere. I enjoyed hearing about various students’ ambitious dreams and yet I could see that the students were willing to help one another instead of only competing with each other. Several students connected me to classmates and alumni who could answer my specific questions. I felt like I was already a part of the community before I even signed on the dotted line.

Fortunately this was just a sample of the good times to come. When I returned to Boston last August the welcoming, collaborative, and lively culture that I had experienced during Open House embraced me and confirmed that BU was the perfect choice for my MBA.

So as you’re making your decision, know what you’re looking for, make sure you experience the culture of the universities on your short list, and get your questions answered. It is totally worth the extra effort because when you make the right decision then your only regret will be how quickly two years can pass by because you’re having so much fun!

About the Author:

Anya Thomas is a first-year, full-time MBA student with a concentration in Public and Non-Profit Management. After graduating from the University of Southern California in 2003, she worked with a faith-based non-profit called Christian Challenge. She decided to come to business school to gain core skills and learn best practices that can be transferred to the microfinance and international development sectors.