Understanding the New GMAC MBA Rankings Tool

With so many different MBA rankings, it can be difficult for the typical applicant to understand why one business school may be ranked higher in one publisher’s ranking than in another’s. This can create a culture of bias and distrust around the rankings, which limits the value of the information they present, especially considering few applicants will actually dive deep enough to uncover the DNA of each specific ranking. The new GMAC rankings tool seeks to shed light on the differences between the various rankings. This tool provides a one stop shop for finding the right rankings system for your personal school selection process. Here’s a brief summary of the topics the GMAC rankings tool evaluates: Distinctive Emphasis A quick summary headline describing the most important criteria influencing the rankings of the publisher. This quick information will  help orient your criteria for pursuing an MBA with the most relevant rankings publisher. Rankings Methodology A visual breakdown of how the publisher determines its rankings. This is a deeper dive into the â€Å"distinctive emphasis,† showing the full spectrum of the ranking criteria. Rankings Fluctuation An estimate of how much the average schools’ position changes from edition to edition. This can provide good insight into how stable and reliable the rankings of a particular publication are. Schools Included Information on what schools are included and the criteria each publication uses to determine inclusion. There are many MBA programs around the world and some publications are more U.S focused, international focused, full-time, or part-time focused so this category provides information on the publication’s coverage area. Regional Popularity A visual map of the most popular regions for a specific publisher’s ranking. The influence of a particular publication can vary from region to region, thus influencing its value to candidates in other areas. Rankings Lists The actual publication-specific rankings. This is the ranked list of schools that have resulted from each publisher’s unique methodology. Once you have identified the right publisher based on your target program criteria and future goals, then this list can help inform your school selection process. This new offering from GMAC is a great tool to kick start your school research and selection processes. Leverage this resource  to find the right rankings system for your MBA goals. Applying to business school? Call us at 1-800-925-7737 and speak with an MBA admissions expert today, or take our free MBA Admissions Profile Evaluation  for personalized advice for your unique application situation! As always, be sure to find us on  Facebook,  YouTube,  Google+  and Twitter. Dozie A.  is a Veritas Prep Head Consultant for the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University. His specialties include consulting, marketing, and low GPA/GMAT applicants. You can read more articles by him  here.