THEY DON'T WANT STUDENTS WHO ARE NOT COOKIE CUTTER

Question

I am in non profit and, although b schoolws appreciate my unusual career path, they question my ability to support myself after I get an MBA. They don't understand that some people don't need to get rich. After many interviews, it all comes down to their profound respect for me, but they do not want to take students at risk of low salaries or unemployment. I believe this bodes same for anyone wanting to start a business after graduating. So, being "outside the box" may help to get an interview, but not for admission. Trying to change the world for the better is not as important as moving up the corporate ladder and becoming CEO of JP Morgan.

CyberC1 · Answer

Don't stop changing the world.

drisss · Answer

Out of curiosity, what were your post-mba plans?

angwen13 · Answer

started non profit and I want to continue it, expand it. can I fail? its possible, but doesn't every new business have to deal with possible failure? do b schools look down on new ventures? Isn't this contradictory to their philosophy of wanting leaders?

KingKREEP · Answer

Maybe some schools, but definitely not all. Have you looked at the Erb program at Michigan? https://www.erb.umich.edu/ There are multiple graduates from the program who have chosen to follow unconventional post-MBA paths (e.g. National Park Service, Acumen Fund, CSR, etc.) .

drisss · Answer

Yes, maybe the top 5 tend to be interested in future CEO, as that would help them increase the average salary, famous alumni, and donations also!!!
You should have a look at other BS. Boston University has a path for non-profit too. 
Good luck with your applications 
Cheers

mohater · Answer

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=barLaHrtvoM

klughing · Answer

Non-profit CEOs make decent money. https://www.charitynavigator.org/index.c ... orgid=4509

drisss · Answer

Good point... so I guess this will remain a mistery for us

globalcitizen · Answer

Don't feel discouraged! That can't be true for all bschools. And I have a hard time believe that for the top 5. Columbia's social enterprise program is filled with people like you or who want to start their own non-profits. Wharton's Social Impact community is pretty active. And I think HBS has the oldest social enterprise program in the country. Plus schools need people like you to appear "diverse."

Making it big in a bank is so...stereotypical? boring? expected (maybe i'm extra sensitive to that because I'm from NY)? I personally look up to "non-traditional" people far more than the average corporate joe.

Making it big in a bank is so...stereotypical? boring? expected (maybe i'm extra sensitive to that because I'm from NY)? I personally look up to "non-traditional" people far more than the average corporate joe.

angwen13 · Answer

Look...I know from hard experience that the top b schools have a problem with applicants who start non profits or new ventures. Sure, they try to come across as sympathetic to causes and potential leaders. But harvard and Columbia admitted to me that they are afraid to take a chance on someone who may find it hard to support themselves. Yes the like people to work at charities on their spare time, but don't try to take it too seriously or you will get dinged.

drisss · Answer

the mistery is broken: this is surprising for me as I thought BS were looking ofr disversity blabla: I guess it is diversity as long as you aim to become CEO of Nike and make a lot of money

THanks for the info angwen13, so it is the admission staff from HBS and Columbia who told you that ?

KingKREEP · Answer

Wow - so much for the "leadership" spiel :shock:

Jock4MBA · Answer

Bschools talk the talk about diversity and reaching out to non profit. It sounds great with inclusiveness and transforming Bschool experience in marketing blurb, add toit some photos of URMs. But in the end, adcoms are most concerned about the hard facts: Placement, salary increase, recruiters' verdicts. Adcoms see many question marks in applications from non traditional folks. For career changer: Can you transition into new career with current skill set, bridge gaps. Bschools may take on a small number of non traditional folks to dress up the class profile, but the corporate route with proven traditional candidates trumps. Bschool actually do less walk the walk when it comes to admissions. They don't want to rock the profitable boat by admitting too many oddballs and end up with unfair rep. of Yale SOM as non profit school.

riverripper · Answer

I have several friends who went to work in non-profits. Not many but a few. A bunch of consulting friends interned at them too and may return after their sponsors pay off their school debt. I dont think schools hold it against people they just want to check that you aren't BS'ing them about wanting to return then showing up and wanting to get into IB.

In any top school only a handful of people will go the non-profit route, and many schools offer tuition reimbursement for folks who do and aren't going to get a big pay day like the average alum. Then again some people go to school thinking they will go into non-profit but join the corporate world to make some money and build up a nest egg. Some non-profits pay well but not many, and a lot of folks can justify working for 100k+ for several years instead of making 50K.

nink · Answer

Agree with river. In addition, HBS does not want "cookie cutters" either, apparently. Harvard Biz School to Wall Street: Rejection! https://management.fortune.cnn.com/2010/ ... op+Stories)

drisss · Answer

I think this thread is definitely one of the more interesting at the moment. Thank you for your "insider insights". 
Very interesting article about HBS dinging the bankers... It is very confusing though.

CyberC1 · Answer

I wonder if there's a sense that these folks should be in a Masters in Public Administration/Management or Master's in Nonprofit Administration degree program rather than an MBA?

wp06 · Answer

I cannot complain to much, as a veteran,

my friends last year were able to get in the door at the top 10 schools at a very high rate

this year all i have so far is an MIT Sloan interview invite, if I get it in, I am done with this process hah , the MBA process is definitely emotionally and mentally exhausting

angwen13 · Answer

yes, this whole process is painful...especially if you don't make it in. It had to take a few years off my life. I don't know if I can go through this again.

THEY DON'T WANT STUDENTS WHO ARE NOT COOKIE CUTTER

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