We’ve spoken with Oliver Cotton, a prospective MBA, to find out about his MBA admissions journey and his experience attending the Access MBA One-to-One event.

Oliver is a Business and Economics graduate from Exeter University. He gained experience on the graduate scheme at spread betting firm City Index in London and then decided to explore the world of start-ups.

Two of the exciting start-ups he’s worked with recently are Troopsave, an e-commerce website that offers tailor made deals to the Armed Forces and their families, and Folioshack, a publishing platform for investment banks and other finance firms to create dynamic presentations for distribution on iPads and smartphones.

Oliver is only 25 but he doesn’t feel it’s too early to start making preparations to apply to the right MBA programme. He attended the Access MBA fair in London in October 2012 to gain more first-hand knowledge of the different programmes. He currently has his eye on a number of programmes including INSEAD, IESE, IE Business School, Rotterdam School of Management and Wharton.

Access MBA gives candidates around the world face-to-face time with recruiters from top international business schools. By registering for the One-to-One event, Access MBA matches your profile with hand-selected schools, giving prospective students a chance to meet admissions directors from global business schools in private 20-minute meetings. Participants also get the inside scoop on upcoming business school conferences and alumni mixers, advice and support from the Access MBA consulting team, and information about the GMAT and scholarships.

Oliver told us that he made headway by meeting one-on-one with business school representatives and alumni. He learned more about the application process, what they were looking for in a candidate, funding and how the programmes are structured, and got a better feel of life as a student at different schools.

He met with representatives of IE Business School and IESE Business School. After the event, he followed up with IE Business School by attending an alumni event held in London. He’s even visited the Rotterdam Campus and is planning on visiting a few other relevant business schools.

An MBA programme is a serious financial commitment, so Oliver wants to make sure that he’s making the best decision possible. “The Access MBA fair was a good way to meet people and add more flavour to the schools. It is also your opportunity to determine which business schools you feel best meet your needs,” he said.

Access MBA regularly organises One-to-One fairs around the world and the next one will take please on February 2 in London. Register here

Source: BusinessBecause