Never accept a statistic at face value. Know what went into the calculation. Ask good questions to clarify. Pay attention to ranges rather than averages. View averages as working estimates of what may be possible, while you view ranges as realistic highs and lows that real people experienced.
Rankings are both helpful and misleading-all at the same time.
While it may be helpful to have comparative views of different programs, the research methodologies used in any particular study will affect its outcome, and those methodologies are not always made clear. By comparing and contrasting various studies and by talking to numerous MBA graduates, you will develop a broader view and reduce the chances that any one person's bias or any one study's bias becomes your own. How well a particular MBA program fits your education, career, and lifestyle goals is the most important consideration. Visit Pre-MBA Resources for listings of additional publications and web sites about the MBA experience and potential MBA careers.