Do your classmates-to-be affect your decision?

Question

Hey all,

Sorry if someone's posted something about this, but I was curious. As people start to decide where they are going next year, I'm sure the usual big factors (reputation, financial aid, location, sig others etc) are playing the big roles in everyone's final decision, but I wanted to talk about another. My question stems from the fact that we have so many tools at our disposal to meet potential future classmates before even sending in a deposit:

1-Heading to accepted student events on campus
2-Heading to regional accepted student events
3-Talking to other accepted students through mutual acquaintances
4-Talking to other accepted students you know via GMATclub or other sites
5-Looking at 'School X Class of 2011' groups on facebook, LinkedIn etc and seeing what kind of schools/countries/employers the members come from

therefore I ask, would this increased knowledge of your classmates-to-be affect your decision (positively or negatively)?

Lets start with positive. You're trying to decide between M7 School X and Top 20 school Y that offered you a bunch of $$. At first your gut is to go with the M7, but after chatting with a bunch of school Y attendees in person, you realize that they seem just as bright as the people you met on your school X visit, and more in line with your personality.

Or perhaps negative. You check the School Z class of 2011 facebook group, and though you see some very impressive people, you also come across some guy/girl you went to undergrad with who you couldnt STAND! Not a big deal if your class size is 800, but what if its a little smaller? It's pretty hard to avoid someone for 2 years...

Curious what people's thoughts are on this issue. The people on this board are generally, in my opinion, the types who will make the best of a situation no matter what and will enjoy whatever school they pick, but we also all know how significant one's peers are when they look back on their memories from school.

Jerz · Answer

It was purely coincidence that I decided to enroll at Kellogg the same day ninkorn decided to go to Yale. Honest. :twisted:

solaris1 · Answer

hellz yea, I couldn't stop talking about how awesome the NYU Stern students were after I first met a couple of them over lunch.

Some other schools, not so much. So it definitely played a role.

nink · Answer

1. I forfeited Kellogg when I found out NJMike was accepted. :-D

and also forfeited NYU Stern app when solaris1 got in..... :twisted:

But seriously, I think all of us are affected one way or another by fellow Gclub member's decision if we interact here regularly and have admits from same school. For example, Kellogg and Booth are big groups where we have Gclub chat regulars with admits to those schools. It will be more clear after the admit weekends in early Feb and Mar, but I am pretty sure, many people will decide to attend Booth and Kellogg over other schools (exceptions - h/s/w) after those events. My personal impression from our NYC Meetup - it definitely will be fun 2 years to attend same bschool with Terp26, NJMike, Solaris1, Leftout, Leverandon, Fresinha12, and Minimal81. Too bad I am going to Yale.... :-D

~Solaris1 = Would love to challenge him everytime he answers a question in class and make him look bad ~Terp26 = Ideal Bschool drinking buddy + procrastination partner ~NJMike = He has CEO look.....just be friends w him and share your HW and maybe someday, he will give me a job as his CFO or something... ~Fresinha12 = Well, everyone needs someone like raabend at every bschool....to main sanity

Steel · Answer

Having gone through the decision process last year, I definitely think that it played an extremely important role in my decision.

In my opinion, the comfortability factor is a huge one given that a huge part of your b-school experience is predicated on those around you. When looking at comparable schools, I think the thing that will set one school apart from another is what you think of those people you meet at Admitted Student Weekends. Do you see yourself creating life long relationships (personal and business) with those around you?

If the answer is different for one school over another, that should play a huge factor. Not saying that other considerations don't also way, but the people fit issue is definitely one of the big ones in my opinion.

refurb · Answer

I would definitively consider my interactions with the student body, but wouldn't weigh them really heavily.

I mean, you could go to a school with an awesome student body, but only interact with the 2 or 3 jerks at the school and come away with a bad impression.

I'd tend to go with my instincts. Mentally collate all the opinions you've heard and draw a conclusion.

RF

IHateTheGMAT · Answer

My classmates have a significant impact on my decision. The social aspects of school are very important to me, plus this is my future network (one of the most valuable parts of getting an MBA). Recruiting, general reputation/prestige, academics (in last place

) are also very important but there is no question that my future classmates have a major affect on my decision.

bostonsparky · Answer

I won't lie, I was fully expecting this poll to be split 1/3 for each, or maybe even 1/2 for it not mattering. I bet you if this was a poll about graduate medical schools, or graduate engineering schools, it'd be a lot closer to that. Shows you how important people skills really are in this line of work!

riverripper · Answer

I think a lot of people make their decision after admitted students weekends. I know a lot of people who went to multiple weekends and felt they just fit better with people at one school compared to others. The personality of the students, future classmates, and the school itself is very important. Not only are you going to be spending two years with them, and more time than you can imagine working together...but these people also form the base of your MBA network going forward.

That said it is hard to turn down an ultra elite for a lesser school or huge money from one school that is on par of others. All things equal go with fit. You have to remember that brand is incredibly important for many careers. Turning down a Top 5 for a Top 20 is a risky move, especially these days. That name on your resume will always be there and so will the first job you get coming out.

riverripper · Answer

I think a lot of people make their decision after admitted students weekends. I know a lot of people who went to multiple weekends and felt they just fit better with people at one school compared to others. The personality of the students, future classmates, and the school itself is very important. Not only are you going to be spending two years with them, and more time than you can imagine working together...but these people also form the base of your MBA network going forward.

That said it is hard to turn down an ultra elite for a lesser school or huge money from one school that is on par of others. All things equal go with fit. You have to remember that brand is incredibly important for many careers. Turning down a Top 5 for a Top 20 is a risky move, especially these days. That name on your resume will always be there and so will the first job you get coming out.

Omne · Answer

I've visited four schools so far (applied to three of them) and I'd say my interaction with the other applicants has played a part. At USC I felt they were annoying so I didn't leave with a favorable impression. I loved the people I met at Wake Forest, the guys at Duke were pretty cool and seemed somewhat down-to-Earth. UNC didn't leave the best impression, but it was finals week so I'm giving them a pass.

If I'm going to be in such tight environs with these people, I need to know I'll get along with them. I don't expect to be BFFs with them all, but I can't think even before school starts "Man, I really don't have a good feeling about these people."

bsd_lover · Answer

its a HUGE factor, probably the #1 consideration for me along with location.

kryzak · Answer

one of the top reasons for me. I met numerous people from the schools I applied to (to avoid the problem of meeting 2-3 jerks and making a decision based on that), and in the end, I picked the one that I felt most comfortable and happy spending 2 years at. Of course, the career aspect is quite important too, so don't forget about that.

I think reading branson's post last year (he's at Tuck and was deciding between there and Haas), he just woke up one morning while at the Tuck admitted weekend and felt that he belonged there. Do a lot of research, but trust your gut in the end.

Yahsek · Answer

Big factor for me. On my visits, I paid a lot of attention to the personalities of not only the student body but also the other prospective students. Once "Will I receive a good education?" has been checked, it's all about the people and not much else.

Do your classmates-to-be affect your decision?

Could your potential classmates affect your decision?

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