Top 25 Resources for Current and Aspiring MBA Students
Published 12/14/2022
A Master of Business Administration (MBA) is one of the most popular degrees for graduate students.
According to Fortune.com, 526 accredited U.S. schools offered online MBA programs as of the 2021 academic year. Comparing data from 2009–2010 to data from 2019–2020, the National Center for Education Statistics found that the number of master’s degrees earned in business-related fields rose by 11%. In addition, their data shows that business is the most common field of study for graduate students.
Whether you’re just getting started on your MBA journey or are almost ready to graduate, plenty of support resources are available to you. We’ve curated a collection of websites, tools, and other resources that can help you excel in your MBA program.
Resources for Prospective MBA Students
The following resources may be beneficial as you prepare to apply for an MBA program.
1. GMAT Exam Prep
The Graduate Management Admission Council offers a variety of free Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) prep resources, including practice exams and a sampler of GMAT questions. Additional study resources on their site are available for purchase.
2. GRE Exam Prep
Prepare for the Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) exam with this collection of free and low-cost preparation tools from ETS, including practice tests, reviews, videos, and more.
3. Sallie Mae Graduate School Scholarships
Sallie Mae offers a search tool for graduate school scholarships. This site allows you to create a profile and get matched to scholarships based on your field of study, interests, and skills.
In addition to using this resource, you may want to check in with your school for additional scholarship opportunities. For example, the Wake Forest School of Business partners with the Yellow Ribbon Program to provide aid to students who are veterans.
Tools to Help You Succeed During Your MBA Program
From productivity apps to research databases, a variety of tools can make your life as an MBA student a little easier.
Most of the resources listed below are free, but some require a membership or subscription. Colleges often have established student accounts for multiple research tools, so be sure to check in with your school before signing up for a new service.
4. AdAge Datacenter
AdAge Datacenter is a business resource for trends and reports about the advertising industry. All users can download a sample of Datacenter content, but unlimited access to data is only available for subscribers. That said, many schools provide AdAge access to their students.
5. BibMe
BibMe is a free service that reviews papers you’ve written, creating citations and checking for plagiarism. The base tool is free, but there are also paid upgrades available.
6. Bizminer
Bizminer digs into market and industry research to build profiles and reports. This site offers tools to benchmark, compare, and explore new industries and markets.
Most of Bizminer’s data requires a subscription, so check with your school to see if they already have a login available for students.
7. Evernote
Evernote is a notetaking and productivity application. Features include a calendar, document scanner, webpage clipper, and more. A free version is available, though additional features need to be unlocked with a paid subscription. A student discount is also offered.
8. Gartner
Gartner offers analytical business tools from benchmarks to frameworks to rankings, which enable students to provide measurable results.
Much of Gartner’s research can be accessed for free, but some features require a membership. Your business school may provide you with a Gartner login.
9. Grammarly
Grammarly uses AI to correct spelling and grammar in anything you write, from documents and reports to emails, messages, and social media. Grammarly has both free and paid versions.
10. Cold Turkey
Need help minimizing distractions? Cold Turkey to the rescue. This convenient website and app blocker is designed to boost productivity and help you make the most of your time.
11. Google Scholar
A high-powered Google search for academic purposes, Google Scholar combs through academic archives and journals, along with case law. You can also save articles in Google Scholar for reading later.
12. Mintel Reports
Mintel’s Industry Reports provide you with a detailed analysis of key global and regional markets. These reports need to be purchased, but some schools may provide you with a Mintel Reports login for free.
13. Pomodor
Pomodor is an online timer meant to help you organize your day. Set it to give you a period of focus, with a break to relax. Pomodor also keeps track of your time working and provides statistics for you to analyze.
14. Purdue Online Writing Lab
The Online Writing Lab (OWL) at Purdue University offers instructional materials and writing resources free for students.
Among the resources are tips for general writing, citation and research, graduate writing, plagiarism, and subject-specific writing. The Purdue OWL also contains style guides from APA, Chicago, and MLA.
15. Statista
Statista offers research, reports, and statistics from 170 industries for your use. Many of the site’s top-level statistics can be viewed for free, but you have to create an account to view the full breakdown and sources. Some schools may provide you with a Statista login.
Websites and Blogs for MBA Students
The following websites provide articles and videos that can help you stay up to date on market trends and explore your career interests.
16. Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) Insights for Students
AACSB—the organization that accredits Wake Forest’s online MBA—provides an Insights for Students blog which may help you navigate your MBA program. The site includes articles, papers, and videos, all of which focus on the experience of attending a business school.
17. Beta Gamma Sigma
Beta Gamma Sigma is the international business honor society. It offers resources, graduate school scholarships, help with the GMAT and GRE, programs, events, networking connections, and more.
18. Bloomberg Markets
Bloomberg Markets offers up-to-the-minute information about the stock market as well as breaking news about all things business. This site can help you stay on top of the latest trends affecting your industry.
19. Business News Daily
Business News Daily offers insights into the business world. Many of their articles are geared toward small business owners. Learn how to start and grow a business, how to sell products online, how to set up your own 401(k), and more.
20. Entrepreneur
Another helpful news and information site for MBA students is Entrepreneur. In addition to publishing news articles, the organization also hosts webinars and other events.
21. Financial Times
Financial Times has a free four-week trial subscription for access to its business and market reports and news. Paid subscriptions are available thereafter.
22. Harvard Business Review
Harvard Business Review is another well-respected source of business news and trends. For the latest information, sign up for one of their newsletters, such as Management Tip of the Day or The Daily Alert.
23. MBA.com
Run by the Graduate Management Admission Council—the organization that administers the GMAT—MBA.com provides a wealth of helpful resources for both prospective MBA and current MBA students. Their articles cover everything from how to choose between multiple business schools to how to prepare for a career after graduation.
24. MBA Depot
MBA Depot archives articles, resources, and tools for those pursuing an MBA, as well as those with a general interest in business. On this site, you can find lists of books, case studies, articles, and links that may be of interest to business students.
25. U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Blog
This blog from the Small Business Administration offers news and information for small business owners. The SBA site can also help with finding funding information and relief programs.
Begin Your MBA Journey with Wake Forest
Getting an MBA can jump-start your career by helping you gain insights into business best practices. With the tools to make insightful decisions for themselves and their companies, working professionals can become purpose-driven leaders.
The Wake Forest online MBA is available on your schedule and accessible from anywhere. Request information to learn more.
