Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General Common Interests Did anyone go to an Ivy League school? Questions.

Main thing is going to be your grades and GMAT. If you plan on having close to a 4.0 and you nail the GMAT, then your work experience should be sufficient. Just make sure your packet is solid with a great ps.

They don't expect everyone to be an executive before they attend.

You should also contact your HR dept, because it's very likely you will need corporate sponsorship to have a shot. I know some of the best MBA programs won't even consider you without it.

I went to Dartmouth undergrad and I am finishing my MBA at Babson in 6 weeks. The only things missing from your list are superior GMATs and about 4 years of POST-GRADUATE work experience. Business schools, especially the Ivy's generally don't take students without a decent amount of post-baccalaureate work experience.

(Babson is somewhat of an exception because they also look for individuals who have started their own businesses, the timeline of which is often irrelevant. So, if you managed your own tech consulting firm while in college, chances are Babson will want you.)

To be honest, I was not impressed with the Grad programs from any of the schools you mentioned, including my Alma Mater. They were too focused on "management" and trendy B-school philosphies and were less grounded in *thinking* and being an innovative mind. Yes, I know about Porter's Five Forces and Six Sigma and all that good stuff, but I also think I understand how to work independently in a large organization, something which graduates of the Ivy's lack.

(Disclaimer: I can say this because very close friends of mine have attended those schools and we debate over this constantly.)

In response to the list:

Originally posted by infuryum:

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Here are the things I think I should do in order to get accepted to your school:

• Have a lot of money.NO, full scholarship.
• Become involved in Student Government.YES, I was voted by the class to be a class leader after graduation, but nothing during undergrad.
• Become involved in a politcal organization (i.e. the Young Conservatives of Texas).Sort of, La Alianza Latina, but we were more social than political.
• Become involved in community service.Yes.
• Have a portfolio of investments (stocks, commodities, etc.).NO, unless you include G.I. Joe figurines and a great porn collection
• Continue my role as a supervisor in a Fortune 1000 company.Uh?
• Continue my role as a representative of my school in the area of student housing, possibly to include a position as a Residence Hall Director.Yes, I did this.

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Northwestern, MIT, and Vanderbilt aren't Ivy League.

Thanks.

I went to Yale. I yust got out last week.

Look at Thunderbird in AZ. Lots of diplomats and retired execs teach there and the focus is more of a practical international business MBA than a "theory" based MBA. It's fairly tough to get in, the curriculum is rigorous but you'll walk out with a solid skill set that can be applied and practiced. The only kicker is that while a second language isn't a requisite for admissions, it's strongly recommended.

Last time I checked, their curriculum involves working with local businesses and at least one foreign exchange program where you will work with an international entity is Asia or Europe. If it helps, they have been one of the top-rated MBA programs in the US according to numerous sources.

While Ivy League schools are excellent, you still are paying for a name. You'll easily pay double to triple in the "old guard" schools that you would at Thunderbird or the like. If money isn't an object or a concern, shoot for the stars. If it is, I'd pursue a more economical route. There are a number of top-notch MBA programs within the US that won't rip the shirt off your back and have you eating peanut-butter sandwiches for a decade afterwards...

I got accepted into Wharton, and I'm seriously thinking about doing it come Fall 2006.. Not sure if this was a factor or not, but I have family members that graduated from there.. I've also got 10 years of professional work experience, including 4 years running a multi-million dollar company.. And my GMAT scores probably didn't hurt either.

It's a pretty hardcore program compared to other MBA programs I looked at, and it sure isn't cheap, but graduating with a name like that behind you (and the networking you can do while still in school) will open up all kinds of doors normally unavailable to regular people.