New algorithm and machine learning unveiled for use in tour and future events, creating data-driven interactions between schools and candidates.
RESTON, Va. (June 10, 2020) — The Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC), a global association of leading graduate business schools, acquired The MBA Tour in 2019 to foster more strategic dialogue across the tour circuit. Consistent with that mission, GMAC today announced a series of The MBA Tour virtual events that will further leverage GMAC’s data and digital assets. A core component will be small group MeetUps driven by a unique algorithm and machine learning that will create more data-driven interactions between business schools and prospective candidates at a time when global travel is greatly restricted.
“Integrating The MBA Tour model with GMAC’s data science platform enables us to develop smarter, more innovative ways to help business schools grow their candidate pipeline while also providing programs with more intuitive, data-driven solutions to meet their recruiting needs,” said Petia Whitmore, Managing Director of The MBA Tour. “That mission doesn’t stop in a COVID-19 environment as the need to build a robust and diverse pipeline remains a critical issue facing business schools around the world, while candidates still have a need to connect and learn about the schools they’re considering; GMAC recognizes the critical role we play in that process.”
Data Science and Machine Learning
The MBA Tour virtual events utilize an advanced matching algorithm and GMAC-proprietary data compiled through decades of candidate engagement and research. The data is overlaid with specific needs of business schools and when integrated with school preferences, behavioral insights, demographics, and psychographics will create smarter, and more effective discussions between business schools and candidates.
This new matching technology will be launched beginning July 7, expanding a candidate’s view into the schools they’re exploring and increasing the number and variety of schools they speak with at these events.
Virtual Tour Format
Beginning in July and running through October, The MBA Tour virtual events will be offered on a robust digital platform, delivering the personal engagement that business schools and candidates require in an environment where in-person meetings are greatly limited. Attendees gain access to individualized MeetUps, opportunities to engage with schools, and exposure to MBA Talks and sponsor sessions developed to educate and inform.
Starting July 7, virtual tours will be held in 48 cities across the United States, Latin America, Asia-Pacific, Europe Middle East and Africa. GMAC continues to monitor the impacts associated with COVID-19 and will make future event determinations based on health, safety, and travel considerations.
Registration is now open for schools and attendees that wish to participate.
Candidates and schools can visit thembatour.com/virtual to learn more about The MBA Tour virtual events.
About GMAC
The Graduate Management Admission Council™ (GMAC™) is a mission-driven association of leading graduate business schools worldwide. Founded in 1953, we are committed to creating solutions for business schools and candidates to better discover, evaluate and connect with each other. We work on behalf of the schools and the graduate management education community, and guide candidates on their journey to higher education, to ensure that no talent goes undiscovered.
GMAC provides world-class research, professional development opportunities and assessments for the graduate management education industry, designed to advance the art and science of admissions. Owned and administered by GMAC, the Graduate Management Admission Test™ (GMAT™) exam is the most widely used graduate business school assessment, recognized by more than 7,000 programs worldwide. Other GMAC assessments include the NMAT by GMAC™ (NMAT™) exam, for entrance into graduate management programs in India, Nigeria, the Philippines, and South Africa, and the Executive Assessment (EA), which supports the admissions needs of more than 160 programs around the world.
Our flagship portal for graduate management education resources and information, www.mba.com, receives over 7 million visits a year and features the Program Finder matching tool and GMASS™ search service, a data-driven technology that helps connect candidates and business schools. These platforms are part of GMAC Connect, a suite of services that help schools attract students through recruiting solutions that marry our market intelligence, data, reach and candidate touchpoints.
Subsidiaries of GMAC include UK-based online publishing company BusinessBecause, a content-rich destination that helps students identify the right-fit business schools during the critical consideration and selection phases of their journey, and The MBA Tour, which supports business schools’ global recruiting efforts by organizing business education-focused events around the world.
GMAC is a global organization with offices in China, India, Singapore, United Kingdom and the United States. To learn more about our work, please visit www.gmac.com.
Media contact:
Geoffrey Basye, Director of Media Relations, GMAC
+1 (202) 271-1529 or gbasye@gmac.com