Want to work at Amazon, Apple or McKinsey? Some business schools have impressive records placing graduates in certain fields and even companies.
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/04/12/education/edlife/mba-programs-that-get-you-where-you-want-to-go.html
Given my experience recruiting at a couple of the companies mentioned in the article, I agree there are schools that become hotbeds for certain employers or industries. The one thing I’d mention is that these relationships should not be thought of as static. For awhile (say pre-2008), much of HBS had little interest in traditional corporate job opportunities when Wall Street was hiring like mad. When those job opportunities declined, other industries became more desireable. The large mix shifts/demand swings would tend to occur at schools at the top of the pecking order (HBS, Stanford, etc.). Solid programs like Indiana, Michigan, etc. seemed a bit more consistent in their likely job choices.
But then do they select students who are already accomplished in their previous work experience and school work?
Perhaps bringing a bunch of such students together in one place is what makes those MBA programs attractive to employers.
@ucbalumnus Previous work experience matters to all of the top ranked MBA programs. Assuming the student makes the grade – in terms of GMAT in particular, but also undergrad college performance (including curriculum and skills) – what the student is selling to each program is his or her 3-5 year work history, ambition, and career goals. The set of essays required of every MBA applicant touches on that history, including evidence of creativity, problem solving, and leadership. Admission to top MBA programs isn’t nearly as much “by the numbers” as admission to top law schools. An obvious reason for this is that most law school applicants to top programs go more or less directly from undergraduate school without an intervening work experience.
I would say this is spot on. When I applied in the late 80’s, HBS did not accept the GMAT and was looking for students who already had a track record of success. During my tour, the admin explained that getting accepted to HBS was like applying for a loan at a bank – the less you need the loan, the more likely you are to get one. Most of my section mates were already in upper levels of management, successful entrepreneurs, or fast-trackers whose IB firms were paying their way to enrich the cache of their corporate pools. The program pulled big fish into one pond to make it easy for corporations to go net fishing.
I would generalize to say the top tier MBA programs only admit applicants that are accomplished in some way…but that doesn’t mean they are accomplished in business. You can find people who were teachers, junior military officers or engineers after college along with those who have worked in consulting, investment banking or corporate jobs. While some (say a portion of consultants and investment bankers) are getting an MBA in order to continue their previous career choice, most students are at least looking to change their career track while a fair number are trying to use an MBA as an avenue to enter the business world. You will find all types.
The most glamorous member of my b-school class was a soap opera actress (a soap that was very popular when most of us were in undergrad and we watched her several times a week!) So I agree that being accomplished doesn’t just mean business. We had a lot of talent- only some of which was corporate in nature.