HBS vs. Kellogg vs. Forgo b-school

Question

I'm really torn right now. I was so excited for business school, but the current times have forced me to re-evaluate everything. I was fortunate to get into HBS and Kellogg (and others I've already eliminated), and I was originally leaning towards Kellogg because the community there is right up my alley, but given the current situation I'm starting to think HBS may be a better option simply because brand value may give me a leg up in terms of finding a job after b-school. On the other hand, I have a great job right now in tech, and good job security. Maybe I should forgo b-school altogether rather than take on all the risks of no income and trying to find my ideal internship & job etc if I go the b-school route. The last option I just thought of, is trying to negotiate a scholarship at Kellogg so I won't incur as much debt, but honestly I'm not even sure that would be a remote possibility on their end or whether it would be worth it even if they did.

I should add that my goals for b-school are 1) develop a tight network, and 2) to pivot to a early-stage tech startup or start my own company.

Appreciate any input or thoughts anyone has!

I should add that my goals for b-school are 1) develop a tight network, and 2) to pivot to a early-stage tech startup or start my own company.

Appreciate any input or thoughts anyone has!

JohnJohnJ · Answer

This is not tough, I have worked with people from Harvard College and HBS, they’re definitely different... 
I am totally against the ranking system
But this is from my personal experience that HBS grads are the complete package of intelligence and adequate communication skills, you would want to network with them over kids from Kellogg

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matired · Answer

I think no need for b school if you already have a good job and youre on the right track as well,

Can you differ your hbs adm?

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bb · Answer

Congrats on your admits!

Interesting that you are re-thinking the MBA plans (something probably I would have done that drives my wife crazy - she makes decisions and they are final usually... glad she married me I guess). Anyway, something to consider is that the MBA experience may be a bit unusual this year with all the uncertainty and sheltering. Economy will likely take more hits but this is all speculation and uncertainty talking.... What we can assume, is that admissions will be harder next year and competition a lot tighter so if you skip admissions now, you are likely going to let this ship sail.

What are you concerns about doing an MBA, is that the job you will find AFTER will be worse? or you trying to time it better? I am wondering what has changed for your assumptions?

chiefinance · Answer

I don't mean to undermine your comment, but I wonder how much of a difference exists in the "intelligence and communication skills" between kids at HBS and Kellogg. I've interacted and worked with over a dozen HBS grads from different geographies, and I can't really say there is any material difference between talented grads from HBS and other schools. Heck, I know quite a few "complete" folks with only a college degree from top 200 schools that some HBS grads look up to. The point is that there is talent everywhere, and while there may be more networking opportunities at HBS, I am very sure Kellogg kids are as complete in terms of intelligence and communication skills.

JohnJohnJ · Answer

That’s a good question.
My comment is essentially based on my qualitative observation (your calibration could vary from my calibration) and less of a quantitative measurement. Also, it’s a personal observation and I respect your observation if it’s different.

On a forum like this people usually give their options based on personal qualitative observation or their feelings because of various non existing groups like M7 or rankings (where nobody understands their methodology).

While I think M7 does not exist and rankings are BS, I am using my personal observation (no science here) to respond to your question.

Whoever uses ranking on this forum as a justification to their recommendation here is talking BS, because nobody understands the methodology

Regenerate · Answer

Ask them both for some help. Tell them both you've got a tough decision and a scholarship will make the decision easier.

If you don't ask, the answer is no!

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bb · Answer

I kind of agree. It’s a little odd that one is called a tract or recruit a certain type of candidates in the other would not. I don’t know that HBS looks to deemed one type of the other. It’s really hard to make a judgment about the program of 900 people based on even nine people. I don’t think a person who has gone to a program is necessarily a good representation of what the program stands for. Schools are looking to recruit diverse candidates and diverse candidates come with diverse baggage

bigge2win · Answer

Some questions could help you clarify whether you should get an MBA right now:
1) What's your role in Tech? Are you a PM or in BizOps? Or an Engineer or AE and trying to make a functional pivot? If the latter, have you investigated what steps you'd need to make that pivot without an MBA? Tech is pretty friendly to making movements across functions as long as you got the right work experience.
2) Where are you trying to go in your career? Stay in an established tech company? Want to be an entrepreneur? If you want to stay, then no MBA is fine. If you want to be an entrepreneur, it'd be hard to pass up HBS because of the sheer number and power of the HBS/Harvard alumni. Only 3 schools have alumni with incredibly powerful and deep pockets in the Tech world through and through - Harvard, Stanford, MIT. No one really turns down Harvard, unless it's for GSB.

I think Kellogg is an incredibly great school who I would choose over many in the M7, but Harvard and Stanford aren't those ones you choose someone else over because of the power of the alumni network. The decision point in my eyes is "HBS or bust" (bust being stay in Tech, which isn't such a bad consolation).

HBS vs. Kellogg vs. Forgo b-school

HBS vs. Kellogg vs. Forgo b-school

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