RULE 101 : EXPAND YOUR HORIZON AND CONSIDER UNDERGRADUATES
No one selects MBA programs based on the hotness of their female students, so a Bloomberg Businessweek ranking of schools based on that criteria is a bit of a joke, right?
Well, its not that simple. Different individuals want different things out of an MBA. Some of us want to be the CEO of a Fortune 500. Some of us want to enter non-profit. Some of us just need a break (not the best of reasons) and hell, some of us want to wind up selecting a B-school just based on the attractiveness of its male/female student body so as to meet that "perfect soulmate" which, if you ask me, does not exist.
There are plethora of males that end up matriculating every year. So If you are a male and think that getting an Ivy MBA-admit will help you get laid -> Well, hold on lumberjack.
The good news is that female MBA's are increasing year after year. The bad news is that you will face some intense competition within your MBA and outside.
Lets look at an interesting poll (done back in 2012)
Wait what?
Darden?
BU?
Okay maybe BU but no way Darden winds up on that list. I don't know.
The only choice that makes sense to me in the above poll is Wisconsin Madison. It not only has one of the most attractive student bodies but is also notorious to have some of the sickest undergraduate parties.
Hey stone why are you mentioning the undergraduate students. Aren't we taking about an MBA program?
Here is the hunch -> When you in a B-school, YOU ARE IN A B-SCHOOL!
And a B-school also has undergraduate students, some of whom must be looking for the exact same thing as you and having a good time.
Maybe a hookup.
Maybe a serious relationship.
Or maybe just having a good "friend" to talk out all the crap they go through during their study schedules.
You get the point.
The Myth behind dating undergraduates ->
Now lets address the biggest worries with dating undergraduates.
Will the whole " the guy who dates undergraduates" tag come to bite you while you look to expand your network?
Will it tank my reputation among my peers?
Answer -> It depends.
Depending on age, maturity and individual choice you may want to hit on the undergraduates.
Lets get some expert opinion on this one straight from the horse's mouth.
Here is the outlook on the dating the undergraduates from a Wharton alum (to whom I completely agree with) :-
Sometimes I wish I could be anonymous.
Anyhow, I have a different perspective on this.
In school, there are usually a handful of guys who get a reputation for dating undergrads. And they get teased for it. It's mostly good natured ribbing, nothing too serious or indignant (at least when I was in school). And I hear you all about the "different stages of life" blah blah blah.
However, my view now is: WHO CARES.
If you want to, go for it. Seriously. You'll likely have a great time. Don't rationalize yourself out of doing something if your impulse takes you there.
This whole "different stages of life" also presupposes a lot -- that you guys with a few years' experience are that much more mature and "adult" than the undergrads.
And the truth is, you're not. You think you are, but you're not that grown up yet. Especially if you're still single or not yet married, believe me, you're not as grown up as you think.
Looking back at myself and a lot of my fellow classmates and peers, at least amongst the folks with no children, the only substantive difference between us and the undergrads was a bigger bank account, and a taste of the real world. But emotionally and mentally, we were still wrestling with many of the "who am I really?" identity issues that the undergrads faced. A lot of the base insecurities all the way from childhood remain. Yes, you have more exposure to the world, but are you really sure you know that much more about yourself as a person than you were in undergrad? A bit more perspective and maturity perhaps, but you're not *that* far removed from your undergrad days. You have the same kinds of neurosis, inferiority complexes, self image issues, parental issues, etc. that you've had since you were in junior high. You want to fit in, you want others to really like you, you really care what others think of you, and so forth. It's all normal. I've seen most people change the most after they've gotten married, and especially after they have children. Or something monumental in their lives - a death in the family, or some life-changing circumstance, or simply age (you won't be the same person in your late 30s or 40s).
A lot of MBAs seem to be torn between trying to relive their youth in school, and being in a huge rush to be "adult" and older than they are.
Most of you guys (and gals) are in your mid- to late-20s. Don't feel like you're in a rush to become an adult. Because when you're in your 40s, you'll wish you were a lot younger. Consider it an opportunity to do what you can't really do and to be what you can't be when you eventually become domesticated.
Not saying that everyone should date undergrads haha (or any undergrad) but don't presuppose that they're off limits or anything.
Also, if you are to date one, it's not because they want you to join them at some frat/sorority party or anything. They are hoping you can offer what the undergrad guys can't really offer. Which is a window into your world. Going to a nice restaurant. Going to nicer clubs. Maybe even something more cultured. They want to feel a little more adult, and being with you will make them feel that way. Of course, guys are just guys (whether a college dude or a grad school dude) - the desire and goals are the same - just the path to get there will change. :wink: As I said before, you aren't that much more mature in b-school than college (not as much as you think), but that illusion of maturity is what they are looking for in you. Of course, not every undergrad will want to date you (some will simply think "ewww. Old" but some will. Note I'm only speaking about guys - no idea how it works with women MBAs dating undergrad guys, or the gay scene (which is a whole other ballgame, no pun intended).
And if you're worried about "MBA network" or "reputation amongst your classmates" -- believe me no one will really care as much as you think. In fact, as time goes on quite a number whether they admit it or not would've wished they went after undergrads too when they had the chance. Conclusion -> Dating undergrads won't tank your reputation and keep you from ever leveraging classmates in the future. As Mr. Stinson rightly said:
"TED, IF YOU SEE AN OPPORTUNITY, MAKE THE MOST IT"
there are much better ways of telling the world that you didn't have anything constructive to do on Feb 14th
, near midnight in the South Asian subcontinent... So you wanted all those other "doing Nothing"s to also waste their time reading this...