I've asked this before, but I want to ask it again now that most people have been accepted somewhere. How much money would someone need to offer you as a lump-sum (no taxes) to NOT go to business school. In other words, they would hand you the money, and you would never be able to go to business school ever.

I'm 23, just got out of college and since I knew the GMAT will be a tough challenge for me, I decided to start preparing for it early. The reason why I asked my question is that I was advised by a couple of people to rethink about getting an MBA and realize that each day working in the market is very valuable. Personally I don't agree with that but I still got confused. I thought there was no debate about the value of an MBA.

There is definitely always a debate about the value of an MBA. I was reading an article yesterday (see link at the bottom) where they tracked the performance of 19 students who graduated from HBS in 1990 at the top of their class. According to the article, 10 of the 19 were utter failures. So people will always have arguments for the value of an MBA, but I think the real question is, is an MBA going to be valuable for YOU. And you're probably the only person who can make that choice. People who are proactive and who create their opportunities will likely benefit from an MBA, while people who think merely getting an MBA entitles them to some great job and bright future may be in for a surprise when their super-charged expectations aren't met. https://www.iht.com/articles/2006/06/12/ ... arvard.php

We've had similar discussions about this subject before. If you can get into one of the ultra-elites, it should be a no-brainer, just go. The two years that you spend is a pittance compared to the access you will have to professors, fellow students, and perhaps most importantly recruiters. Can't remember where I read this, but at no other time in your life will you have the opportunity to meet with dozens and dozens of firms from various industries. If you can get into an elite school (check the b-school review forums for definitions of these) it's virtually a no-brainer. Unless you are in a career where you are already making a lot of money and have a well defined high-trajectory career path that doesn't require an advanced degree, the time and money spent getting an MBA will pay off quickly. MBAs from schools in lower clusters are valuable as well, but require a little more thought an planning before you leap in. You will need to consider how much money you are making now and how much you will give up during school; whether an MBA from the schools you are considering will help you get ahead; whether said schools are strong in the region of the country you'd like to work; what placements are like, etc. It's a no-brainer if you can get into the best schools, but an MBA can still be valuable if you carefully define what you'd like to get from the experience.

Last visit was: 20 Nov 2025, 00:08

It is currently 20 Nov 2025, 00:08

piper41955

Joined: 02 Apr 2007

Last visit: 17 Oct 2008

Posts: 53

Own Kudos:

Posts: 53

Kudos: 1

22 Apr 2007, 10:06

Kudos

Bookmarks

If he is only 23, fresh out of his undergrad, I don't think an MBA would really benefit him much. Recruiters trying to fill mid to high range management positions with MBAs are looking for individuals with some track record of corporate experience. Beyond that, most schools will not touch you without at least a few years of experience.

Go to work for a few years, get your GMAT up, pay down some of your undergrad debt, and then apply when it makes sense.

Mishari

Joined: 30 Nov 2006

Last visit: 23 Feb 2015

Posts: 352

Own Kudos:

916

Location: Kuwait

Concentration: Strategy - Finance

Posts: 352

Kudos: 916

22 Apr 2007, 10:36

Kudos

Bookmarks

pelihu
------
Thanks .. that's exactly what I was looking for. I'm fairly scared to make big decisions in my life. It took me a whole lot of thinking and consulting other people and rethinking again to decide to apply for jobs that have nothing to do with my undergraduate degree. I got a degree in Engineering but I'm applying for jobs in investment management and real estate ! The fact that i'm being paid about half as much as what I will be paid if I work as an engineer is enough to make that decision a nightmare to me in the past few months.

piper41955
------------
Exactly, that's what I'm gonna do next .. work for 3 or 4 years .. maybe more maybe less .. but eventually I see myself in a decent MBA program. I just wanted to start preparing for the GMAT before I start working.

jaynayak

Joined: 30 Mar 2006

Last visit: 07 Jul 2008

Posts: 894

Own Kudos:

639

Posts: 894

Kudos: 639

22 Apr 2007, 11:43

Kudos

Bookmarks

squali83

jaynayak

My answer would still be the same.

No matter what, I am going to B-School. I did not sacrifice so much just for x amount of money.

Wow, that is dedication and drive. I can say for 800K I would walk. Jay you are telling me if someone walked up to you and opened a brief case with 2 mil. in it you would not take it and walk away. I find that hard to believe. This is almost like a game we play with the drunks at the bar where I tend. It is would do X for $Y? i.e. " Would you sleep with 300lbs, ugly, smelly girl for 10K? and then keep going up. It is funny how everyone has a different approach to the game. Some answer realistically and other are just plain lying. I would love to meet someone who would not wax it with a girl for 10 mil. If you are here please tell me! :lol:

Sure everything has got its price....

But unfortunately I haven't decided a price on MBA as of yet.. U give me 2 M, I will take it and still go to B-School.... this time without worrying about debt etc

lepium

Joined: 24 Sep 2006

Last visit: 22 Oct 2012

Posts: 1,359

Own Kudos:

208

Posts: 1,359

Kudos: 208

22 Apr 2007, 16:34

Kudos

Bookmarks

johnnyx9

There is definitely always a debate about the value of an MBA. I was reading an article yesterday (see link at the bottom) where they tracked the performance of 19 students who graduated from HBS in 1990 at the top of their class. According to the article, 10 of the 19 were utter failures.

The problem is the top of the class thing. I'd say that if you take 19 random guys outside the top 10% of the class you'll find a greater proportion of successful people.

Cheers. L.

johnnyx9

Joined: 28 Jun 2006

Last visit: 18 Oct 2008

Posts: 958

Own Kudos:

100

Posts: 958

Kudos: 100

22 Apr 2007, 16:53

Kudos

Bookmarks

Lepium,

I totally agree. The fact that they chose 19 (i.e. a seemingly arbitrary number) makes me think that they cherry-picked data to build a case for their contrarian argument. I also wonder how they define "utter failure." What, did these people become drug addicts or something? I'm guessing the author is using the term in a relative sense, i.e. these "utter failures" were non-CEO's, probably lowly Vice Presidents or Senior Directors, complete failures.

pelihu

Joined: 31 Jul 2006

Last visit: 11 Jan 2010

Posts: 2,208

Own Kudos:

526

Schools:Darden

Posts: 2,208

Kudos: 526

22 Apr 2007, 17:00

Kudos

Bookmarks

lepium

johnnyx9

The problem is the top of the class thing. I'd say that if you take 19 random guys outside the top 10% of the class you'll find a greater proportion of successful people.

Cheers. L.

Don't be so touchy Lepium, maybe Harvard is better now. :lol:

lepium

Joined: 24 Sep 2006

Last visit: 22 Oct 2012

Posts: 1,359

Own Kudos:

208

Posts: 1,359

Kudos: 208

22 Apr 2007, 17:08

Kudos

Bookmarks

pelihu

Don't be so touchy Lepium, maybe Harvard is better now. :lol:

Touche...

I guess the study is yet further evidence of what we all know: no matter how good the school you attend is, you still need to put your own effort, focus on the job search, nail the interviews and perform at work. No school can guarantee anything apart from relatively better odds.

Cheers. L.

pelihu

Joined: 31 Jul 2006

Last visit: 11 Jan 2010

Posts: 2,208

Own Kudos:

526

Schools:Darden

Posts: 2,208

Kudos: 526

22 Apr 2007, 17:25

Kudos

Bookmarks

There used to be a saying around law school (common enough that I heard a version on Law and Order) that went something like: The "A" students go on to be law professors, the "B" students go on to be DAs and judges, and the "C" students go on to make all the money.

I think the underlying premise is that finishing at the top of a class is a great indicator of one thing, that someone is able to do well in an academic environment. That's great if you want to teach the subject matter, but not necessarily useful if you want to apply it. The savvy and sense required to do well in business might be reflected in things other than grades, especially when students put in varying levels of effort in achieving the best grades.

lepium

Joined: 24 Sep 2006

Last visit: 22 Oct 2012

Posts: 1,359

Own Kudos:

208

Posts: 1,359

Kudos: 208

22 Apr 2007, 17:45

Kudos

Bookmarks

pelihu

I agree. There are some few odd ones which manage to excel on every level, but the norm seems to be what you stated.

As you may recall, HBS discloses grades as: top 10% (Dean's list?), middle 80% and bottom 10%. The people in the top 10% spend a lot of time on the cases, talking to faculty and so on, but they miss a lot of the other activities, which IMHO, are a very important part of the B-school experience.

L.

1 2