How to Prepare for Your First Year in Business School
Entering business school is an exciting and transformative experience. Your first year will be fast-paced, filled with academic challenges, career opportunities, and new relationships that can shape your future. While much of the preparation for business school revolves around acing your application, it’s equally important to set yourself up for success once you’ve received your acceptance letter. These seven key steps will help you prepare for your first year in business school and make the most of this pivotal time.
1. Attend All Orientations and Meet-and-Greets
One of the best ways to start strong in your first year of business school is to build meaningful connections early. Attending orientation events and networking mixers allows you to meet classmates, faculty, and alums while getting a feel for your new academic environment. These events provide valuable opportunities to form relationships that can support you throughout your MBA journey.
If you’re relocating or unable to attend in-person events before school starts, check if your program offers virtual networking opportunities. Many MBA programs have Discord groups, Slack channels, or WhatsApp chats where you can start connecting with classmates before day one. If your program doesn’t have one, consider starting one yourself.
Getting comfortable with your new environment before classes begin will help you adapt more quickly and focus on the opportunities ahead.
2. Leverage Your Existing Network
While expanding your professional network is a significant part of business school, don’t overlook the importance of maintaining your existing relationships. Before starting your first year in business school, reach out to mentors, former colleagues, professors, and any MBA alumni in your circle.
Tell them about your plans, ask for advice, and discuss your career goals. These connections can offer valuable insights into the business school experience and help with job opportunities down the road.
Beyond professional contacts, leverage personal connections, too—friends, former classmates, and even social media groups for your incoming MBA class. These informal networks can provide support, shared resources, and insights into various career paths.
Here are a few key ways to maximize your existing network before business school:
- Reconnect with former classmates and colleagues —They may have industry insights or connections that can be valuable for your MBA internship search.
- Engage with alums from your MBA program—Many schools have alumni mentorship programs where you can get firsthand guidance.
- Join LinkedIn and Slack groups for incoming students—Schools and industry organizations often create networking spaces where you can start engaging before classes begin.
- Leverage your employer’s alumni network—If you’re leaving a company with a strong MBA presence, connect with employees who have completed the program to get tips on how to maximize your experience.
Staying connected to your existing network helps with recruiting and provides a support system as you transition into the intense business school environment.
3. Prepare for Recruiting Season Early
Recruiting season starts quickly in business school—often within the first few months—so it’s essential to be ready. Before your first year in business school begins, research the companies that recruit on your campus and make a list of those that interest you.
Take proactive steps by:
- Connecting with alums who have worked at your target companies.
- Setting up informational interviews to learn about different industries.
- Updating your resume and LinkedIn profile to reflect your most recent accomplishments.
- Setting Google alerts for key companies so you can stay informed about industry trends before interviews.
Additionally, consider whether a pre-MBA internship might be beneficial. These short-term roles, typically lasting a few weeks before school starts, offer hands-on experience and can be particularly valuable for career switchers or those targeting competitive industries. However, skipping it is perfectly fine if you’re confident in your career direction and would benefit more from taking time to recharge.
By preparing early—through networking, research, or gaining hands-on experience—you’ll set yourself up for a successful recruiting season and maximize your MBA experience.
4. Brush Up on Quantitative Skills
Many incoming MBA students have varying levels of experience with quantitative subjects such as statistics, economics, and finance. Business school courses are math-intensive, so it’s wise to refresh your knowledge before your first year begins.
Several resources can help you strengthen your quantitative foundation:
- HBS CORe (Credential of Readiness): An online program covering business analytics, economics, and accounting.
- MBA Math: A self-paced platform offering tutorials on essential quantitative topics.
- Harvard Business School Online: Another option for structured pre-MBA coursework.
If your program doesn’t offer a formal refresher, consider reviewing syllabi, using free resources like Khan Academy or Coursera, or working through problem sets to build confidence before classes start.
@stacyblackmanconsultingMath for Management: MATH X402 at UC Berkeley Extension Mathematical Solutions for Businesses: MGMT X 110 at UCLA Extension? original sound – Stacy Blackman Consulting
For a deeper dive into pre-MBA quant prep, check out this guide.
5. Ramp Up Your Reading Habits
Your first year in business school will involve an intense reading load. MBA programs require students to analyze case studies, business reports, and academic materials—often hundreds of pages per week. If you haven’t been in the habit of reading regularly, now is the time to start.
To get back into the rhythm:
- Read business books, industry reports, or Harvard Business Review articles.
- Practice summarizing key takeaways from readings to develop analytical skills.
- Listen to business podcasts to stay informed on current trends.
Developing strong reading habits before business school will help you keep up with coursework and contribute meaningfully to class discussions.
6. Prepare Mentally for the Rigors Ahead
Business school is a high-pressure environment, especially during the first year. You’ll be balancing coursework, networking, recruiting, and social events while adjusting to a new academic setting. Preparing mentally for this shift is just as important as preparing academically.
Some strategies to help you manage stress and stay focused include:
- Time Management: Create a structured schedule that balances study time, networking, and personal activities.
- Stress Management: Develop habits like exercise, meditation, or journaling to help manage pressure.
- Support System: Lean on classmates, family, and mentors for advice and encouragement.
By setting realistic expectations and prioritizing self-care, you’ll be better equipped to handle the demands of your first year in business school.
7. Embrace the Journey
Finally, remember that your first year in business school is just the beginning of an exciting transformation. It’s easy to get caught up in grades, internship offers, and competition, but don’t lose sight of the bigger picture.
Some of the most valuable experiences in business school come from the people you meet, the leadership skills you develop, and the personal growth you experience. Here are a few ways to maximize your MBA experience beyond the classroom:
- Get involved in student organizations – Whether it’s a professional club, a student government role, or an affinity group, these extracurriculars help you build leadership skills and expand your network.
- Build relationships with professors and guest speakers – Your professors are often industry experts with deep networks. Take the time to engage with them beyond the classroom.
- Explore global or experiential learning opportunities – Many MBA programs offer international consulting projects, global immersion trips, or startup incubators that can give you hands-on experience in different industries.
- Step outside your comfort zone—take a class in a new subject, attend networking events in industries outside your immediate interests, or collaborate on a project with classmates from different backgrounds.
By staying open to new experiences and relationships, you’ll walk away from business school with more than just a degree—you’ll have a well-rounded skill set, lifelong connections, and a clearer vision of your career path.
Here’s a snapshot of the caliber of expertise on our SBC team.
Ashley
Ashley is a former MBA Admissions Board Member for Harvard Business School (HBS), where she interviewed and evaluated thousands of business school applicants for over a six year tenure. Ashley holds an MBA from HBS. During her HBS years, Ashley was the Sports Editor for the Harbus and a member of the B-School Blades Ice Hockey Team. After HBS, she worked in Marketing at the Gillette Company on Male and Female shaving ...
×Pauline
A former associate director of admissions at Harvard Business School, Pauline served on the HBS MBA Admissions Board full-time for four years. She evaluated and interviewed HBS applicants, both on-campus and globally. Pauline's career has included sales and marketing management roles with Coca-Cola, Gillette, Procter & Gamble, and IBM. For over 10 years, Pauline has expertly guided MBA applicants, and her clients h ...
×Laura
Laura comes from the MBA Admissions Board at Harvard Business School (HBS) and is an HBS MBA alumnus. In her HBS Admissions role, she evaluated and interviewed hundreds of business school candidates, including internationals, women, military and other applicant pools, for five years. Prior to her time as a student at HBS, Laura began her career in advertising and marketing in Chicago at Leo Burnett where she worked on th ...
×Andrea
Andrea served as the Associate Director of MBA Admissions at Harvard Business School (HBS) for over five years. In this role, she provided strategic direction for student yield-management activities and also served as a full member of the admissions committee. In 2007, Andrea launched the new 2+2 Program at Harvard Business School – a program targeted at college junior applicants to Harvard Business School. Andrea has also served as a Career Coach for Harvard Business School for both cu ...
×Jennifer
Jennifer served as Admissions Officer at the Stanford (GSB) for five years. She holds an MBA from Stanford (GSB) and a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Jennifer has over 15 years experience in guiding applicants through the increasingly competitive admissions process into top MBA programs. Having read thousands and thousands of essays and applications while at Stanford (GSB) Admiss ...
×Erin K.
Erin served in key roles in MBA Admissions--as Director at Haas School of Business at UC Berkeley and Assistant Director at Stanford's Graduate School of Business (GSB). Erin served on the admissions committee at each school and has read thousands of applications in her career. At Haas, she served for seven years in roles that encompassed evaluation, outreach, and diversity and inclusion. During her tenure in Admissions at GSB, she was responsible for candidate evaluation, applicant outreach, ...
×Susie
Susie comes from the Admissions Office of the Stanford Graduate School of Business where she reviewed and evaluated hundreds of prospective students’ applications. She holds an MBA from Stanford’s GSB and a BA from Stanford in Economics. Prior to advising MBA applicants, Susie held a variety of roles over a 15-year period in capital markets, finance, and real estate, including as partner in one of the nation’s most innovative finance and real estate investment organizations. In that r ...
×Dione
Dione holds an MBA degree from Stanford Business School (GSB) and a BA degree from Stanford University, where she double majored in Economics and Communication with concentrations in journalism and sociology. Dione has served as an Admissions reader and member of the Minority Admissions Advisory Committee at Stanford. Dione is an accomplished and respected advocate and thought leader on education and diversity. She is ...
×Anthony
Anthony served as the Associate Director of MBA Admissions at the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, where he dedicated over 10 years of expertise. During his time as a Wharton Admissions Officer, he read and reviewed thousands of applications and helped bring in a class of 800+ students a year. Anthony has traveled both domestically and internationally to recruit a ...
×Meghan
Meghan served as the Associate Director of Admissions and Marketing at the Wharton MBA’s Lauder Institute, a joint degree program combining the Wharton MBA with an MA in International Studies. In her role on the Wharton MBA admissions committee, Meghan advised domestic and international applicants; conducted interviews and information sessions domestically and overseas in Asia, Central and South America, and Europe; and evaluated applicants for admission to the program. Meghan also managed ...
×Amy
Amy comes from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania where she was Associate Director. Amy devoted 12 years at the Wharton School, working closely with MBA students and supporting the admissions team. During her tenure at Wharton, Amy served as a trusted adviser to prospective applicants as well as admitted and matriculated students. She conducted admissions chats with applicants early in the admissions ...
×Ally
Ally brings six years of admissions experience to the SBC team, most recently as an Assistant Director of Admission for the full-time MBA program at Columbia Business School (CBS). During her time at Columbia, Ally was responsible for reviewing applications, planning recruitment events, and interviewing candidates for both the full-time MBA program and the Executive MBA program. She traveled both internationally and dome ...
×Erin B.
Erin has over seven years of experience working across major institutions, including University of Pennsylvania, Columbia Business School, and NYU's Stern School of Business. At Columbia Business School, Erin was an Assistant Director of Admissions where she evaluated applications for both the full time and executive MBA programs, sat on the admissions and merit scholarship committees and advised applicants on which program might be the best fit for them based on their work experience and pro ...
×Emma
Emma comes from the MBA Admissions Office at Columbia Business School (CBS), where she was Associate Director. Emma conducted dozens of interviews each cycle for the MBA and EMBA programs, as well as coordinating the alumni ambassador interview program. She read and evaluated hundreds of applications each cycle, delivered information sessions to audiences across the globe, and advised countless waitlisted applicants. ×
Kate
Kate served in the MBA Admissions Office at Columbia Business School for over five years. In her capacity as an Associate Director, Kate advised applicants daily and reviewed hundreds of applications per cycle. She was also an applicant interviewer, a liaison to other offices within the School, and a CBS representative at events around the world. Kate managed several recruiting and operational projects for the Admissions Committee. After Columbia Business School, Kate transitioned into cam ...
×Holly
Holly worked as a member of the NYU Stern MBA Admissions team for seven years and holds an MBA from NYU Stern. In her tenure as Director of NYU MBA Admissions, Holly worked closely with admissions teams from Columbia, Michigan Ross, UVA Darden, Cornell Johnson, Berkeley Haas, Yale SOM, and Duke Fuqua on recruiting events domestically and internationally. On the NYU Stern admissions committee, Holly conducted interviews, planned and hosted events, and trained staff on reading and interviewi ...
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