jankynoname wrote:
I'm not a current student or alum, but I think the answer is probably no. At least not in the same sense that undergrad was a place to decide where you want to go. A lot of ppl spend the first one or two years in UG taking classes across the map trying to figure out where they fit it. I think that's natural and healthy, and since you have four years of studies it's a good time to do this type of exploring. But it seems like b-school all passes so fast. Just a few short months after the beginning of your first year you'll be recruiting for summer internships, which seems like it is the catalyst for many to enter their longer term careers. I've definitely heard of a lot of ppl trying "something new" with their internship, but usually this "something new" isn't all that far off the mark from what they plan to do. For ex. someone looking a investment management long term might try I-banking for the summer, or someone interested in management consulting might to a stint in gen. mngmt at a blue-chip company to get a feel for what it's like at one of their "clients." I think since the whole process happens so quickly, and so much during b-school depends on what direction your heading long term (classes, clubs, networking and recruiting events, treks... well maybe not treks come to think of it, those are probably a pretty diverse group of interests). But yeah, i think there is some flexibility within a general plan, where you could switch from software entrepreneurship to solar e-ship, etc. But I think it'd be hard to enter with no clear picture of where you want to exit. Just my 2bps.
But it's def a valid question. I'm curious, how did you address this in your essays (goals, etc.)?
Thank you for your reply janky. To answer your query, I applied to a school which doesn't have a goals essay (anybody's guess!!), and the others, I answered to the best of my knowledge, and to the best of my understanding of my goals so far.
regards
NM