What You Should Really Ask MBA Alumni & Current Students

Malvika Patil
22 hours ago
5 min read

Ask an MBA student what the most valuable part of their MBA was, and you’ll likely hear: “the network”.

While the curriculum and resources at top b-schools can get you ahead, it’s the connections you make at school that can get your foot in the door in many places and give you credibility.

It’s the same for MBA applications, too. Schools know you can click through their website and find the resources, clubs, and classes that fit with your interests. But that doesn’t necessarily make you a good fit; anyone could get that information online.

What differentiates you is the conversations you have with the school’s alumni and students. That’s where the real insights into the school’s culture, student associations, lesser-known clubs, employment opportunities, and community are. Think of it as a “vibe check”.

Here’s how you can go about building relationships with alumni and students at your target schools.

How much weight do alumni and student conversations carry in admissions?

In short, a lot.

Speaking to alumni and students won’t automatically get you admitted, but it factors significantly into how schools perceive you.

Compare this to a job referral. If you're recruiting for a company, it's good practice to have contacts at that company who refer you and attest to your skills and work ethic.

Here’s how it helps both sides see that there's a cultural fit:

Demonstrated interest: Schools like to admit people who’ve taken the time to understand their culture. Mentioning specific insights from your conversations with students and alumni shows the AdCom that you know exactly why the school is right for you and what you can get out of it.

Better essays: When you mention these conversations, your essays sound more authentic and personalized. Especially when you speak with people from your target industry or role, as it shows that they found success at the school on a similar career path as you.

Interview prep: These chats can help you prepare for common interview questions or understand what interviewers look for at that specific school. Alumni and current students have already gone through the interview process, so they know best!

Letters of support: Warning: do not try this with people you don’t know well. If you’ve known an alum of the school for a while and have a positive, longstanding relationship with them, you can ask them to send the school a letter of support. These soft referrals can add value, especially at schools that actively engage alumni in the admissions process. They’re also a great plus when it comes to waitlist decisions and might just tip the bucket in your favour.

Where should I mention alumni and student conversations in my MBA application?

Some schools have direct application questions about the people you’ve spoken to.

For example:

Michigan Ross

Have you attended any Ross events (online or in person) or been in contact with a member of the Ross community in the past year? If so, please list event and location, and/or contact name and association with Ross. Please also share any referrals to the Ross program made by staff or alumni (No word limit).

London Business School

If you know any London Business School Alumni or Students, please give their names, graduating class and tell us how you know them. (300 words)

Besides these, the most effective place to mention these conversations is in your school-specific essays that ask questions like “Why [this school]?” or “How will you contribute to our community?”

For example:

Cornell

At Cornell, our students and alumni share a desire to positively impact the organizations and communities they serve. How do you intend to make a meaningful impact on the Johnson community? (350 words)

Dartmouth Tuck

Why are you pursuing an MBA and why now? How will the distinct Tuck MBA contribute to achieving your goals and aspirations? What particular aspects of Tuck will be instrumental in your growth? (2000 characters)

Northwestern Kellogg

Intentionality is a key aspect of what makes our graduates successful Kellogg leaders. Help us understand your journey by articulating your motivations for pursuing an MBA, the specific goals you aim to achieve, and why you believe now is the right moment. Moreover, share why you feel Kellogg is best suited to serve as a catalyst for your career aspirations and what you will contribute to our community of lifelong learners during your time here.

Use this space to weave in what you’ve learned from alumni and students, because it shows you’ve done your homework.

But don’t just name-drop. You want to show that your conversation gave you a unique, personal insight into the program. For instance, instead of saying you spoke to current student Gary who said the school has a “strong collaborative culture”, say something more specific and reflective:

“After speaking with Ella Kim (MBA’23), who shared how her study group stayed up with him all night to rehearse for a case competition, I saw how Tuck’s culture of mutual investment in each other’s success plays out in real life.”

You can also reference these conversations briefly in your interviews, especially when asked why you’re applying or what makes the program a good fit.

How many alumni and students should I talk to?

There’s no magic number. We recommend having meaningful, meaty conversations with 3 to 5 people per school, instead of 10-12 brief, cursory chats on LinkedIn DMs.

Try to diversify the people you speak with. Reach out to:

One or two recent alumni from your target post-MBA industry
A current student involved in clubs you’re interested in
Someone with a background similar to yours

You don’t need to speak with half the student body. That will overwhelm you, and all you need are a few thoughtful perspectives.

Questions to ask alumni and students for MBA admissions

The more generic your question, the more generic the answer. Don’t waste their time!

Naturally, you’ll need to do your research before you reach out. Read the school’s website, go through recent employment reports, check out club pages, and see what professors are teaching which electives.

Here are 5 targeted questions to ask:

“I noticed you were involved with the Tech Club. How accessible were leadership roles for first-year students?”
“What kind of support did you get during recruiting for investment banking?”
“Was there a professor or course that really changed how you thought about your career?”
“How easy is it to switch tracks once you're on campus. I want to pivot from consulting to entrepreneurship, what resources are available for me to enable that transition?”
“I’m interested in building a career in sustainability. Are there specific clubs or initiatives on campus that support this?”

The more specific your question, the more insightful the response. They’ll also remember you positively, and now you’ve made a strong connection you can count on.

What makes a good MBA alumni/student outreach message?

Alumni get a lot of messages, especially from prospective applicants. If you want them to respond, avoid generic templates and put in some effort. Here’s what makes a message stand out:

Use a connection if you have one: Mutual school, city, club, industry, or even a shared alma mater can help build rapport instantly.

Be clear and concise: Start with a one-line intro about who you are and what stage you’re at. Then ask one or two focused questions. Don’t send your life story! Keep your message to a few short paragraphs.

Avoid buttering them up: Saying “you have a great profile” without saying why comes off as lazy. Instead, say what specifically about their profile caught your attention.

Don’t be vague: “Would love to hear your thoughts on the program” doesn’t inspire anyone to reply. Approach with a purpose.

Don’t be entitled: Avoid following up aggressively or demanding quick replies. They’re volunteering to talk to you despite their busy schedule, so put in the effort to show you care about their time.

Remember: these relationships can continue even after the application cycle. One day, you might be the alum someone else reaches out to. Pay it forward.

Want to craft your outreach strategy for alumni and current students at your target school? Get in touch for a free chat.