MBA Student Ambassadors: The Secret Resource for MBA Networking
This article was originally published on June 22, 2023. It was last updated on September 16, 2025.
If you’re targeting Round 2 deadlines, now is the perfect time to focus on school research. Laying this groundwork early will make your essays, recommendations, and interviews much stronger.
While online research and admissions events are helpful, nothing compares to speaking directly with someone who has lived the MBA experience. Student ambassadors, who are current students or sometimes alumni, can offer candid perspectives, share details about program culture and resources, and connect you with peers who align with your interests.
What is an MBA Student Ambassador?
MBA student ambassadors are current students (and sometimes alumni) chosen to represent the school to prospective applicants. They showcase the school’s culture, values, and academic offerings while providing a personal connection to the institution.
Ambassadors are typically selected for their academic achievements, leadership skills, and enthusiasm for the program. Schools also aim for diversity among ambassadors to reflect a broad range of perspectives. Because they have extensive knowledge of the program, ambassadors serve as a bridge between the school and prospective students.
Is Networking with MBA Student Ambassadors a ‘Must Do’?
The simple answer is no, it’s not absolutely necessary to speak with student ambassadors. However, if you don’t already know someone at your target schools, ambassadors can be extremely helpful.
They offer unique insights that can level the playing field, particularly for applicants from non-traditional or underrepresented backgrounds. By sharing their experiences, ambassadors give you a clearer understanding of the program’s culture and resources, helping you make a more informed decision.
Why You Should Consider Connecting with MBA Student Ambassadors
Authentic Perspectives
Student ambassadors usually provide candid insights about their experiences, which can give you a real sense of what to expect. Since they are selected by the school, you are less likely to hear strongly negative perspectives. Even so, most are genuine and open about what day-to-day life in the program is really like.
Insider Knowledge
Ambassadors have detailed knowledge of the curriculum and extracurricular activities. If you are interested in a niche area, they can often answer your questions directly or connect you with a peer who can.
Cultural Fit
Each business school has its own distinct culture. By connecting with student ambassadors, you can better understand the school’s environment and evaluate whether its values, community, and student life align with your goals. Ambassadors can also answer specific questions about social life, competitiveness, and housing options, giving you a more complete picture.
Career Resources
Student ambassadors can share valuable insights into the school’s career services and recruiting opportunities. They can speak to internships, networking events, and the support students receive during the job search. This helps you evaluate how effectively the program can support your professional development.
Demonstrating Interest
For Round 2 applicants, this step is especially important. Many schools include application questions about how you have engaged with their program. Reaching out to student ambassadors not only gives you useful information but also shows genuine interest. The insights you gather can strengthen your essays and interviews by helping you explain why the school is a great fit for your goals.
Student Ambassador Resources at Top MBA Programs
Below is a list of student ambassador resources of some of the top US business schools as well as London Business School and INSEAD:
1) Chicago Booth
The admissions team at Chicago Booth has curated a diverse group of students who are readily available for you to connect with. They even offer a convenient directory where you can find a match based on career interests and other criteria.
2) Wharton
Wharton has a dedicated team of Admissions Fellows consisting of 55 second-year students who come from diverse backgrounds, pursue various careers, and have a wide range of interests. Like Booth, Wharton provides bios and a searchable database to help you find the best fit for your needs.
3) Northwestern Kellogg
While Kellogg does not provide the opportunity to directly connect with student ambassadors, it does offer a wide variety of in-person and virtual admissions events, some of which involve Q&A with alums or current students.
4) Stanford GSB
Similar to Kellogg, the GSB offers opportunities to connect with MBA student ambassadors within the context of its virtual and in-person admissions events.
5) Harvard (HBS)
HBS invites local alums to join in-person admissions events in a variety of cities and also occasionally hosts Q&A sessions with current students.
6) MIT Sloan
‘Sloan on the Road’ events are designed to offer an immersive experience that provides valuable insights into the program and are joined by MIT Sloan alumni, who make themselves available for 1:1 networking sessions.
7) Yale SOM
Yale School of Management (SOM) takes pride in its dedicated MBA Student Ambassadors who are current students that play a crucial role as contacts for various clubs, interest groups, and programs within the school. Connecting with these ambassadors will give you a deeper understanding of the Yale SOM experience.
8) Columbia Business School
Columbia’s MBA Student Ambassadors, also known as members of the Hermes Society, represent diverse clubs, careers, and interests, with the mission to offer a student perspective on the vibrant life at CBS, both on and off campus. CBS also offers a convenient searchable directory.
9) University of California-Berkeley (Haas)
Haas Student Ambassadors are passionate current students who provide prospective students with firsthand information and help them dive into the distinctive culture and collaborative community that defines Haas.
10) University of Michigan (Ross)
Ross takes pride in its extensive network of student ambassadors, which it claims surpasses that of any other MBA program. With such a robust group of ambassadors, it’s easy to find individuals who share your interests, backgrounds, and goals.
11) London Business School
To provide new students with a glimpse into the LBS ecosystem, the school has thoughtfully compiled a collection of profiles featuring students, alumni, and ambassadors. To connect with an ambassador, simply review the profile and contact them through their email.
12) INSEAD
INSEAD offers the opportunity to connect with an INSEAD Ambassador by request through admissions. You can also read MBA student blogs to learn more about the INSEAD experience.
In Summary…
MBA student ambassadors are valuable resources when exploring different business school programs. Their insights can provide you with a deeper understanding of the curriculum, culture, campus life, career resources, and more. By leveraging their experiences, you can make a more informed decision about which MBA program aligns best with your goals. We think they are a secret resource for MBA networking!
If you are applying in Round 2, now is the right time to start these conversations. They can give you the kind of insider perspective that strengthens your school research and helps you present a more authentic story throughout your application.
If you need a more personalized action plan and hands-on coaching to strengthen your MBA candidacy, click here to schedule a free 30-minute consultation!
Katie is a passionate mentor and coach, helping her clients craft a unique, compelling story by leveraging her experience as a corporate executive, alumni interviewer, and campus recruiter. Before completing her MBA at Kellogg, Katie spent five years in banking where she learned practical finance skills as well as how to operate in a demanding, high pressure environment. She pursued an MBA in order to transition to an industry role where she could utilize her finance knowledge to drive change within an organization. Post-MBA, she worked in finance and strategy for a leading CPG firm, progressing to an executive role leading the finance function for a $2B business segment. Her experience managing diverse teams led to a passion for developing others. In addition to her day-to-day responsibilities, she led her firm’s MBA recruiting efforts and served as an alumni admissions interviewer for Kellogg.
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