HBS/Wharton/Stanford etc. Good enough or no?

NovaLynnx
Thu, 09 Oct 2014 00:14:08 +0000

Well, if you’re going to make major life decisions because you’ve hit a deadline, then so be it. But a $300k salary isn’t guaranteed, nor will you get it fresh out of school with zero work experience to bring to the table. You are ambitious but seem to lack an understanding of the corporate world. There is a reason top school graduates earn high salaries - the graduates have the prestigious degree AND impressive work histories, and therefore evidence of success in similar roles. Once you excel in your first job, your college background will mean less and less over time on a resume. They will want to see what you’ve actually accomplished in the field.

You’re right that top business school MBAs carry more weight than lower ranking programs, but lower ranking programs are not worthless if the individual has the right plan. The plan to attend a top ranking program with nothing more than evidence you do well in the classroom won’t necessarily impress adcomms, and your extracurriculars do not show impressive leadership skill. That does not mean you have no chance of getting in, just that you will not be a top pick among applicants with similar stats and impressive work experience. Like I said, you’re bringing nothing but your studies to the discussion.

It sounds like you’ve already made the decision to apply, and if rejected you will simply never go back. That’s your decision, but keep in mind people here are offering advice to increase your chances of success in what you want to do, not to tear you down and say you can never do it. It just might not play out the way you want and you need to be aware of prepared for that.