Forbes: It's better to go to Tier 2 Bschool than Tier 1?

Question

It's A Good Time To Go To A B-Level B-School

You probably won't be as disappointed by the job outlook, compared with those at Harvard or Wharton.

https://www.forbes.com/2009/02/10/b-leve ... 1_mba.html

:shock:

This article is gonna create some kinda ruckus... :wink:

BearStearner · Answer

This article is insane.

+1 for finding it. I had a really baffling laugh.

nink · Answer

If this is the case, why not go to Ross, Booth, or Kellogg? How is it better going to B-Level school like Wisconsin?

BearStearner · Answer

Maybe Forbes is implying that besides H/S/W (schools mentioned in the article), all other schools are b-level...

I think Forbes is trying to compete with BW to see who can write more ludicrous article for online traffic.

atlmba2009 · Answer

I think they are trying to make the point that people who may not be able to gain admission to Ross, Booth, Kellogg, or top b-schools in general, are not faring as badly now, relative to those who are graduating from top schools. I think most people would agree, all things being equal (expenses, career goals, regional preference, etc.), you are still better off going to the more prestigious schools.

llest · Answer

Because most of the well paid jobs have disappeared, is better to go to a school where companies offer less paid jobs... Impressive logic!

refurb · Answer

That article seems kinda silly doesn't?

Of course a school that normally feeds into extremely competitive IB jobs is having a harder time right now than one that feeds into industries that haven't been as badly affected by the economy.

But to draw the conclusion that you're worse off at a high ranked school? Doesn't really make sense. I think you could claim that the difference between an MBA from a top ranked school vs. a regional school has narrowed (in terms of employment prospects).

RF

Jerz · Answer

The way I interpreted the article was more that people who attend top schools are more likely to want to go into banking or consulting, so the economy is making people rethink those plans. People who go to Rice or UW weren't expecting that dream job at Goldman or McKinsey, so there's been less disruption. From the article:

It's not that the article is saying it's better to be at a tier 2 school than a tier 1 school, just that people from tier 2 schools are still getting jobs. I'm fairly sure if you go to Kellogg you will have no problem competing against the UW students for that brand management job at P&G or General Mills.

3underscore · Answer

Honestly, there is a certain amount of sense in this article, though a lot of people here aren't really going to see it. It is more about expectations versus outcomes. I think it won't really be saying that lowering your expectations is better, but those at lower tier schools are less likely to see their expectations damaged.

There is a huge amount of realism that happens during first year at business school, you just are yet to see it. It happens to everyone, and can't be prescribed in advance.

er - like jerz says.

There is a huge amount of realism that happens during first year at business school, you just are yet to see it. It happens to everyone, and can't be prescribed in advance.

er - like jerz says.

icon · Answer

Nowhere in this article did they say you are better going off to a "b-list" school than an "a-list" program. All they are saying is that people currently in those b-list schools are more likely to be on track to still get the job they had originally hoped for upon entering the school, whereas a-list program students aren't finding it as easy to find the job they expected upon graduating their program. Pretty much this is a function of your expectation as to what your school's brand name/education would bring you after graduation. Makes sense to me.

***EDIT***

Typed my response as jerz and 3under were typing theres apparently. I agree with both of them.

***EDIT***

Typed my response as jerz and 3under were typing theres apparently. I agree with both of them.

Skitalets · Answer

I think that's true, although it makes the article a bit absurd. It's essentially saying, "People who have different priorities and ambitions than a Tier 1 b-school applicant are happier than Tier 1 b-school applicants right now because their expectations are more realistic." Most people with unrealistic career goals won't adapt them until they get slapped with reality, so an article like this is not going to be that useful. And for those of us with more realistic (some would say less ambitious) life goals, at best this article is just a temptation to feel superior to other people, which is not very helpful. :-)

3underscore · Answer

Well, the alternative is an article saying that the Tier 1 schools, their major advertisers, revenue generators and publicity sources - are going to get hammered for the level of jobs they will get it the next few years compared to what they have talked of for the past five or so years.

I think they phrased it in the safest way possible to not damage relationships.

I think they phrased it in the safest way possible to not damage relationships.

highhopes · Answer

I think schools like that do have something going for them. They need to place less students and they can do it at a smaller cost to the employers. WI has only like 10 or so students in their brand management program. So if they can place on at P&G, one at Kraft, one at General Mills, etc they're done.

Forbes: It's better to go to Tier 2 Bschool than Tier 1?

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