(Edited Topic to include "and friends") - K Has anyone else had issues in describing to their family that they are doing b-school, regardless of how many uninformed insults are hurled? I've tried calmly explaining the whole thing to my own mother on a number of occasions, but to no avail. I have started calling her less often, as every time I speak to her she attempts to make some witty/insulting remark about the whole thing. Thing is, the remarks aren't all that witty - which is sad as she really tends to be brilliant and hilarious most of the time. She doesn't have any college degree, while I have BS/MS in engineering, and will go back for MBA. She seems to suggest that if I absolutely *MUST* go that the best choice would be to go to the cheapest part-time program available. Since, after all the whole thing is a waste and that way it will cost the least. It is as if she miraculously doesn't understand return on investment all of the sudden I'm not really looking for advice on talking to my mother - large parts of the above rant was just to get it off my chest. Am I alone in dealing with annoying/meddling family members in this process?

Last visit was: 14 May 2026, 15:07

It is currently 14 May 2026, 15:07

Toolkit

Business School and MBA

The B-School Applications

GMAT Club Daily Prep

Thank you for using the timer - this advanced tool can estimate your performance and suggest more practice questions. We have subscribed you to Daily Prep Questions via email.

Customized
for You

we will pick new questions that match your level based on your Timer History

Track
Your Progress

every week, we’ll send you an estimated GMAT score based on your performance

Practice
Pays

we will pick new questions that match your level based on your Timer History

Not interested in getting valuable practice questions and articles delivered to your email? No problem, unsubscribe here.

Go to My Error Log Learn more

Request Expert Reply

Confirm Cancel

May 13
Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth Coffee Chats
08:00 AM EDT
-
09:00 AM EDT
Meet Tuck at an informal student or staff-hosted coffee chat in a city near you!
May 14
The Truth About MBA Business School Letters of Recommendations | Applying to MBA in 2026 EP4
10:00 AM PDT
-
11:00 AM PDT
MBA recommendation letters are one of the most misunderstood parts of the application process. Many applicants focus on choosing the most senior recommender — when what actually matters is specificity, credibility, and examples of impact.
May 14
MBA Recommendation Letters: What Committees Actually Read
10:00 AM EDT
-
10:30 AM EDT
Sia Admissions is hosting a free live session on MBA recommendation letters this Thursday, May 14 at 10 AM ET on YouTube.
May 15
FREE Prospects Evaluation!
05:00 PM PDT
-
06:00 PM PDT
Inquire for a free profile evaluation and guarantee statement for possible admits and scholarships!
Jun 10
MBA Spotlight Fair
06:00 AM PDT
-
06:15 PM PDT
Register for the GMAT Club Virtual MBA Spotlight Fair – the world’s premier event for serious MBA candidates. This is your chance to hear directly from Admissions Directors at nearly every Top 30 MBA program..

Back to Forum

Create Topic

Dealing with Family (and Friends)

1 2 3 4

RVD

Joined: 30 Jul 2007

Last visit: 15 Nov 2012

Posts: 156

Own Kudos:

Posts: 156

Kudos: 26

14 Mar 2008, 15:16

Kudos

Bookmarks

wow, this is a great thread.

i didn't realize that there were so many people against MBAs. everyone and work has been supportive.

my family has been very supportive. my dad is a retired college professor so he obviously has a PhD. my younger brother has a PhD, etc.

i was always kind of the odd one who "just" went to undergrad. my parents have always said that i should go back and get "at least" a masters if not a PhD. i kept telling them that there really was no use in that.

after a few years, they all gave up.

so when i called them a few months ago to tell them that i was looking into MBA programs, they were all excited and happy. i graduated from college over 12 years ago.

when i told them how much it costs ($150k for wharton EMBA), my mom almost fainted. but i realized later that she didn't know that i meant $150k for 2 years...she thought it was $150k/year so it's $300k!

anyway...they're all supportive and even offered to help pay for a good portion of it so that's great.

it's probably a little bit easier of a sell since i'm not quitting work to go to school for 2 years. EMBA programs are great for this type of situation.

RVD.

kryzak

Major Poster

Joined: 04 Jun 2007

Last visit: 10 Aug 2013

Posts: 5,452

Own Kudos:

751

Given Kudos: 14

Status:Um... what do you want to know?

Location: SF, CA, USA

Concentration: Technology, Entrepreneurship, Digital Media & Entertainment

Schools:UC Berkeley Haas School of Business MBA 2010

GPA: 3.9 - undergrad 3.6 - grad-EE

WE 1: Social Gaming

Posts: 5,452

Kudos: 751

14 Mar 2008, 18:08

Kudos

Bookmarks

RVD

wow, this is a great thread.

i didn't realize that there were so many people against MBAs. everyone and work has been supportive.

Well, considering I was vehemently against the MBA degree just 2 years ago... I'm not surprised so many people are against it and have misinformation...

bee186

Current Student

Joined: 17 Apr 2006

Last visit: 16 Sep 2008

Posts: 146

Own Kudos:

Posts: 146

Kudos: 44

14 Mar 2008, 18:16

Kudos

Bookmarks

My story is very much on the positive side. I don't know how grateful I should be with having such supportive family. My parents have been really open minded about all this and I couldn't ask for more support. My mum actually cried when I got interview invites from school (and I think my dad shed a tear too). My two younger brothers somehow look up to me as some sort of a role model (dunno why. lol) and were just very encouraging about b-school. My bf of 6 years is more confident about how I'm gonna get accepted to schools, even more than myself.

My family is also very religious, so for instance, on the day of my W, K & H interview, she would send me some prayers over on txt msgs. She would also txt the whole big family for support to pray for me. I think she even wants to fly with me to my H interview (I had to fly to a hub) just for moral support.

Now, if only I can believe in myself the way they had believe in me..

However, on a much similar note to toDoorNot.. I do have family friends/far relatives that would talk to my parents & said how guys are going to be intimidated by my status if I have an MBA.. they would think nobody would want to marry me. They said that I should made my mind up & try to lock the guy before I get an MBA :shock:

aaudetat

Joined: 01 Nov 2006

Last visit: 10 Jan 2016

Posts: 1,854

Own Kudos:

233

Given Kudos: 2

Concentration: Social Enterprise

Schools:The Duke MBA, Class of 2009

Posts: 1,854

Kudos: 233

14 Mar 2008, 19:26

Kudos

Bookmarks

On my mom's side, i am the first generation to get a ba and the absolute first one to get anything more. they don't really get what an mba does, but they didn't get what i used to do either, and they know i'm a weirdo, so it's all good. here was my mom's response:

AAU: So I'm applying to business school. I am thinking Stanford, Duke...etc...
Mom: PAC-10? I mean, that's ok, but Duke! I love Coach K!
AAU: Right on, mom. What about UNC?
Mom: Roy Williams? That jerk? You know what he said about Wisconsin in the tournament back in....

Some friends from I-Town:

Friends: dude, where you been?
AAU: I'm in grad school, down in Durham.
Friends: sociology? policy?
AAU: b-school, actually
Friends: Dude! WTF!?

And my dad:

AAU (wanting to torture him, just a bit): So dad, you know how much this tuition is running?
Dad: no, you haven't mentioned it
AAU: yeah, even with the scholarships, i'm probably going to be about $75k or $80 in the hole
Dad: *&^&%%$%#$#!!!
AAU: Dad, relax. I don't expect you to pay for this and certainly don't plan to ask.
Dad: &(*&&^7(^&*^&*
AAU: Seriously. I know you don't have it. And I wouldn't want it anyway.
Dad: (***Code Blue! Code Blue****)

RVD

Joined: 30 Jul 2007

Last visit: 15 Nov 2012

Posts: 156

Own Kudos:

Posts: 156

Kudos: 26

14 Mar 2008, 21:48

Kudos

Bookmarks

the only friend i have who was a little bit of a downer was a close friend of mine.

we've never really been competitive but i guess we've sort of been competitive a little bit.

we went to high school together and for college, we both wanted to go to berkeley but i got in and he didn't (but he got into ucla). so he went to ucla and i went to cal.

he talked about an mba all throughout college and i didn't. 2 years after working, he applied and got into ucla and went to anderson (full time of course).

he left his job in the entertainment industry to go to school and 2 years later, he graduated to take an i-banking job. he was making around $80k before school and i read in some magazines that the starting salary for guys like him at his firm was $90k + avg $110k bonus so i asked him "dude, you're really gonna be making $200k/yr?" and he said "well, i think those numbers are actually a little lower"...so i was a bit surprised.

the internet busted, about 1/2 of his classmates got their job offers rescinded, he was lucky and didn't...but 3 months after working there they laid him off. he tried to stay within the industry but went to work for a research firm instead and got $80k with little bonus....and then went back into entertainment.

in the end, he's right back where he was before he went back to school to get an mba. so every time i brought up an MBA, he was like "don't do it...it's just not worth it" and i agreed that it wasn't worth it to leave the work force, etc.

last year when i started talking to him about EMBA stuff he was pretty negative...stuff like "those EMBAs are weak" or "they're usually not worth the paper they're printed on" or "even if you go to a good school, nobody thinks it's a real MBA" or "how can a part time program come close to a full time program", etc.

other than him...everyone has been really cool. he's actually ok about it but he doesn't jump up and down like everyone else. oh well, that's cool...he's still my friend.

RVD.

ApolloLuna

Current Student

Joined: 12 Nov 2007

Last visit: 13 Oct 2008

Posts: 68

Own Kudos:

Posts: 68

Kudos: 6

14 Mar 2008, 21:56

Kudos

Bookmarks

Great thread. It's interesting to see how the families and friends of others have reacted to and dealt with the bschool application process.

Fortunately, my family has been extremely supportive. They were all for my applying/going to school. When I began this process a year ago, I was deadset again applying to any of the top tier schools. I never thought I had a chance. My sister (and coworkers) convinced me otherwise. Thank goodness for them! They were right. I never could have gotten through the whole process without my family - they were my sanity. Well, sometimes they were my insanity too but that's ok.

The only tough part with them was explaining everything they didn't understand, which got frustrating at times but they finally got it in the end.

My friends, on the other hand, were a completely different story. They were marginally supportive, and most still make snide remarks about bschool when I mention it. One put up a big fuss that I didn't attend her family party a week before my GMAT. We ended up getting in a big fight about it and didn't talk for over a month. Another basically disowned me when I disappeared for the month that I devoted to essay writing last fall. We also had a big falling out. We made up, but it hasn't been the same since. It's unfortunate, because I care about these friends, but I just don't think they'll ever understand. Both are teachers, and while I respect and admire them for the work that they do, I just don't think they get why I do what I do.... Anyways, I'm soooo looking forward to making some new friends at school who are of like mind, or at the very least, understand what it's like to have to work like a maniac, or study hard, or whatever, and won't judge you for it.

Best of luck to you all dealing with family and/or friends who aren't supportive or understanding. Just remember - you always have us to vent to about it! :wink:

Audio

Current Student

Joined: 13 Jun 2007

Last visit: 31 Jul 2012

Posts: 408

Own Kudos:

Concentration: Finance

Schools:Wharton, Booth, Stern

Posts: 408

Kudos: 89

14 Mar 2008, 23:47

Kudos

Bookmarks

I'm so surprised about the number of negative reactions people get from family and friends. I've only had one negativish answer from my best friend (we studied together, now he works as an equity analyst); he said he thought it wasn't worth the money, but he admitted that his vision was skewed by his industry, where CFA is king. But then again he said it to me in a very friendly way, and still encouraged me to do it since I wanted to get an IB job.

My parents have no clue about what to expect - my dad in particular - since they are both professional musicians, but they know it's "prestigious" and will give me access to better jobs.

My g/f was INCREDIBLY supportive, especially considering the fact that I'd be leaving without her in the beginning. She drove me to my GMAT and Toefl tests in cities that were 200 - 300km away from Brussels (where I live). She has mixed feelings though: she's really excited for me and believes in my potential to get it (more than I actually

) but she's also sad and worried that we'll be apart for quite some time.

So all in all I received a lot of support. Sorry to hear that some others didn't.

Columbia08

Joined: 14 Sep 2007

Last visit: 06 Aug 2008

Posts: 96

Own Kudos:

Posts: 96

Kudos: 22

Updated on: 20 Mar 2008, 18:21

Originally posted by Columbia08 on 15 Mar 2008, 14:50.
Last edited by Columbia08 on 20 Mar 2008, 18:21, edited 2 times in total.

Kudos

Bookmarks

Wow amazing thread. Such great stories makes me want to be in the same class with everyone here. Definitely ambition comes in different sizes, languages etc and knows no geographical boundary. Here's my .01 version of the rant...

My boyfie was and has been very supportive...he got me onto this track anyway though I wonder what will happen if I get into a school more than two hours drive away from him (he has a perfect job in NYC as a quant and is not going to relocate with me). My mum, with less than a high school education is just excited that I am going for more school...that's all she ever wanted for us... to acquire as much education as possible. Funny the only school she hopes I get in is Harvard, she doesn't know any of the others and can't even pronounce Wharton. My siblings are oblivious. They think am just up to my usual shenanigans except the eldest who has dreams of my being a doctor. (I am the first in my family and even extended family on my mum's side to get an undergrad degree). So in her opinion, I should make my millions in business and use it to pay for med school LMAO!!!!

One of my friends and her family have kind of "adopted me," inviting me to spend holidays with them etc. Both her parents have advanced degrees and one of them has actually hired a Wharton grad as a manager in her top management position in a big global bio-pharmaceutical company. Her opinion was that no one would hire someone in finance who did not have a previous finance background and when I had to retake the GMAT, she commented what a waste of money my whole GMAT experience was. Offcourse now she's singing a different tune and she even told me how she was bragging about me during a casual lunch time meeting.

My co-workers thought I was crazy. One whose husband was dinged by Wharton a few years back has been particularly negative. According to her I am the poorest candidate to ever apply to M7 in the whole history of B-school. How can a research tech with no leadership position or experience at work, no finance background and only 2 years WE not to mention a highly sub-par GMAT score in her opinion even dream of even the local part time. She did fuel the doubts in my mind already. My GMAT score could be better for one. However my bf says that am super intelligent and with a great shot at any top school. I keep telling him that he's got me already and that that line is getting old and tired but he insists. So far and to my disbelief I did get an interview call from Wharton and the more expected Cornell but expecting dings from all the rest.

togafoot

Current Student

Joined: 18 Dec 2007

Last visit: 29 Jul 2014

Posts: 983

Own Kudos:

146

Given Kudos: 10

Location: Hong Kong

Concentration: Entrepreneurship, Technology

Schools: Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) - Class of 2010

Posts: 983

Kudos: 146

15 Mar 2008, 17:11

Kudos

Bookmarks

In terms of my friends... most of them couldn't GAF :lol:

It's not on their radar and never has been, so no negative or positive responses. I think the perception of an MBA is a different beast dependingon where you are from. In the States it's a well known qualification and highly sought after. Looking at the GMAT trends, you can tell which countries are more MBA aware than others.

65% of GMAT takers in 07 has a USA address.
In 2006 only 2837 tests were taken in the UK (My nationality) and 3,506 in Japan (My current residence)!!! 27,119 in February 2006 in the USA, almost 10x the amount in 1 month.

The question to ask is, if you're seeking work in a less MBA aware country, are you then restricting yourself to MBA aware industries only and is that what you're after? This is where the 'value' of the MBA needs to be judged on a personal level depending on your goals.

It's also the main reason a lot of my friends are not really concerned or interested in MBA's and why i get indifferent feedback.

pelihu

Joined: 31 Jul 2006

Last visit: 11 Jan 2010

Posts: 2,208

Own Kudos:

526

Schools:Darden

Posts: 2,208

Kudos: 526

15 Mar 2008, 17:32

Kudos

Bookmarks

rhyme

Classic work interaction:

"Hey Bob (40+ years old). I'm getting my MBA"
"Ooh, yea ? I have my MBA too."
"Oh! I didn't know that."
"Yea, got it in 04. Where you going?"
"Chicago GSB"
"Woah! Why would you go there? Isn't it like $45,000 for an MBA there?"
"Yea something like that, per year."
"No way man I got mine for like $6K total. I went to (insert local school in far suburbs thats basically an adult education program that has detective degrees and such"
"Yea, thats great... I'm pretty happy with my choice though."
"Yea.... $6K man... just sayin"

Shaq has an MBA from the University of Phoenix. He makes $20M per year (actually probably $60M+ per year all told). That's good ROI. :roll:

skaballet

Joined: 19 Nov 2006

Last visit: 13 May 2011

Posts: 254

Own Kudos:

Given Kudos: 1

Location: Washington, DC

Schools:Ross 2010

Posts: 254

Kudos: 19

15 Mar 2008, 17:51

Kudos

Bookmarks

I've had the opposite problem. My mother was so excited I had to convince her it was NOT a good and/or okay idea for her to come to Duke's admit weekend with me.....lol

mbagal1

Joined: 28 Dec 2005

Last visit: 12 Oct 2010

Posts: 693

Own Kudos:

108

Posts: 693

Kudos: 108

16 Mar 2008, 05:13

Kudos

Bookmarks

bee186

However, on a much similar note to toDoorNot.. I do have family friends/far relatives that would talk to my parents & said how guys are going to be intimidated by my status if I have an MBA.. they would think nobody would want to marry me. They said that I should made my mind up & try to lock the guy before I get an MBA :shock:

ToDoorNot and Bee - your situation reminds me a lot of how it was when I said I wanted to do my Masters. (Im Indian female too, and was 22/23 at the time - mom was deadset on finding a suitable boy for me before I went for my Masters. Also, parents were terribly concerned about being able to afford the education (of course, like most Indian parents, they assumed they will need to pay for it), till I explained to them about the existence of Research Assistantships. Thankfully my mom was not successful with the marriage thing and with my admission happening, they turned around.

Anyway, nearly 10 years later, now married and wanting to go for my MBA, my husband (says he) is supportive - but he would prefer I go part time a little later in life - since his mom did something similar and ended up doing quite well in corporate after 25 years teaching. Thankfully, he is the kinda guy who wouldn't care if I were more educated or earned more than he.

My problem is, I am more and more convinced that a full time MBA will be better for me - one, I want to change focus in my career and I am not convinced that can happen with a part time degree. Besides, I could not handle my job that requires travel and a part time MBA and possibly start a family too (yes, now, my mom is deadset on us starting a family since Im 31 - but this time Im listening - biological clock and all).

I am also convinced that I would need to go to a top school to justify a full time degree (to myself and family) and am finding out that not only have schools turned younger, I am also not particularly superstar material for them to overlook the age.

Practically, part time makes so much more sense ( we do not have our green card and I am past my 6 years on H1) - but I am drawn towards a full time MBA. Maybe my choice will be made easier for me with dings to where ever I apply - (2 schools that I applied have already gone that route). I am considering what I should do for 2009 - apply to more schools full time or give up and try for a part time degree in a few years after the green card.

700willdo

Joined: 03 Oct 2006

Last visit: 24 Jun 2010

Posts: 147

Own Kudos:

Location: Nepal

Posts: 147

Kudos: 6

16 Mar 2008, 07:58

Kudos

Bookmarks

Hey PEtoMBA, that was a very inspiring post. I would love to be in class full of all the people who post on this forum because they all have amazing stories to tell. By the way, PE are you going to UW this fall. I thought I saw your posts on the UW link.

bee186

Current Student

Joined: 17 Apr 2006

Last visit: 16 Sep 2008

Posts: 146

Own Kudos:

Posts: 146

Kudos: 44

16 Mar 2008, 10:26

Kudos

Bookmarks

hsampath

hsampath, I wish you all the best with whatever path you choose. please don't give up just yet! with the MBA apps process, you would never know which school you're gonna end up with, seems like anything's possible!

also, am not an Indian female, however I do come from a part of Asia where women should prioritize on being a wife first, and anything else second.

PEtoMBA

Joined: 11 Dec 2007

Last visit: 05 Oct 2008

Posts: 27

Own Kudos:

Location: Oakland, CA

Posts: 27

Kudos: 4

16 Mar 2008, 14:57

Kudos

Bookmarks

700willdo, I do think I will be at Foster next fall. I am still waiting on a decision from Carnegie Mellon on Monday, but unless I get in and get an attractive scholarship package I will probably chose Foster. The two schools seem pretty evenly matched reputation and placement wise in the tech field (which is what I am targeting), both having top tier Computer Science and E-business programs and access to the biggest name tech recruiters (Microsoft, Google, Amazon, etc...). CMU has the edge on overall reputation and access to finance and consulting careers, but unless my outlook changes drastically during business school I won't be targeting those fields. 45K per year tuition (compared to less than 20K est. tuition after scholarship @ UW) seems like a steep price tag for slightly better access to fields I am not really interested in. Plus I love Seattle and prefer a career on the west coast to one on the east coast. UW grads seem to dominate the Seattle job market with good representation in the Bay Area (where I am now) too.

mbagal1

Joined: 28 Dec 2005

Last visit: 12 Oct 2010

Posts: 693

Own Kudos:

108

Posts: 693

Kudos: 108

17 Mar 2008, 05:06

Kudos

Bookmarks

bee186

Hi bee, yeah, I actually figured you weren't Indian. I was addressing toDoorNot when I said I was Indian female too. Anyway, actually, India it's been much better for women in the last 10-15 years, especially in the cities as far as the perception on what we are supposed to prioritize on. But, yes, the emphasis is still on marriage and family.

Also, as far as giving up - I will not be really giving up as long as my long term goals are met, correct? So, hopefully, whichever path I choose to take, I am hoping I will be able to achieve my career goals. Going full time would be a nice to have though.

md2mba

Joined: 02 Mar 2008

Last visit: 06 Jun 2008

Posts: 3

Kudos: 0

18 Mar 2008, 20:34

Kudos

Bookmarks

terry...i have had a similar problem...

i have an indian background...my parents were not very supportive of the idea of me getting an MBA...that was initially...now they understand that this is what i want to do

westsider

Joined: 23 Jan 2008

Last visit: 17 Dec 2009

Posts: 498

Own Kudos:

Posts: 498

Kudos: 62

19 Mar 2008, 09:52

Kudos

Bookmarks

I wanted to thank everyone for sharing their stories. It was really interesting, and somehow nice to know that I wasn't alone in this!

westsider

Joined: 23 Jan 2008

Last visit: 17 Dec 2009

Posts: 498

Own Kudos:

Posts: 498

Kudos: 62

04 Apr 2008, 23:18

Kudos

Bookmarks

funny story. Suddenly she seems to think this is alla great idea. Um... WTF?! I am sure she probably googled MBA or Said. something To a friend that war. suddenly impressed and now it is a good ideal. I don't really care why as long as it makes my life easier!! =)