<p>I have been reading a lot of posts of people asking for better ways to getting into business school right after graduation, or with little work experience. I wonder, WHAT'S THE RUSH?
It seems like people are thinking about BS as something they need to get done with as quick as possible, and not as something that will round-up their career. I think a person takes the most out of BS when bringing solid experience to it, and if yuo are investing more than $100 K, wouldn't you want to take the most out of it?? </p>
<p>I would like to see what people think.</p>
<p>@ WeAreCylons</p>
<p>Tell readers how much work experience one should have before they apply for an MBA.</p>
<p>It will depend on the positions one held, it's not the same 2 years of managerial work than operative. However, on average I would recommend 4 years experience. You can tell in BS who had the better experience just by listening to their comments in class.</p>
<p>@WAC</p>
<p>I think that it is the product of a confusion between association and causality. People hear that graduates from top MBA programs average high starting salaries for what are often considered "sexy" jobs. This is, of course, generally true.</p>
<p>The fallacy is in the presumption that the degree was the primary cause of the salary/job. In fact, the schools select for students that are likely to achieve good placements upon graduation because good placement boosts the schools' standings. After controlling for the selection bias in admissions, it is difficult to demonstrate that the degree, much less the education, contributes much.</p>
<p>The reason that one should work for several years before investing the time and money into an MBA is that the degree is designed to prepare one for the sorts of jobs that will only be offered to those with experience and evidence of achievement outside of school. Alternately, you could say that this is why top schools virtually require evidence of leadership ability for admission and that one should get the work experience to improve chances of acceptance.</p>
<p>In this case, there is no point in trying to beat the system.</p>
<p>I would guess that some rush into business school because they know once the leave school they're probably not going to want to come back and just want to get it over with. As mentioned, however, you should really have a minimum of 2 years work experience before going for your MBA.</p>
<p>@ROS</p>
<p>I think you make a really good point: no matter which MBA you get, if you don't have the experience it is not likely you will get those great jobs.</p>
<p>That's not really true. I mean I'm pretty sure a Harvard MBA will get you those great jobs regardless of work experience. It may be a tad harder for you once you're there but you will get there.</p>
<p>I guess the 3 main reasons why people ''rush'' into Business school are:</p>
<p>a) They want to be over with school once and for all. 6 years of elementary, 4 years of High school, 4 years of undergrad....at some point you just want to be done with it and not have the 'I have to return' thing hanging over your head. Plus really, I doubt the level of commitment to a job for someone just looking to "fill" a few years. It puts you in stasis almost. </p>
<p>b) Fear of losing the momentum and never going back. if you manage not to fall for a) and throw yourself into your job with great zest...chances are you'll also have a significant other by that point (maybe a family), a promotion/ work goal firmly in place.....It can be very hard to leave all that behind to return to school. A lot will just go with the motions from then on making their dreams of an MBA a distant one. </p>
<p>c) Want to make the big bucks as soon as possible. And with student loans piling up, inflation, etc...who could blame them? Sure BS is another big bill in and of itself but it's the one most likely to pay for itself the quickest. </p>
<p>I'm probably an "all of the above" guy. Though my goal is the 2+2 program so maybe it's different.</p>
<p>^ Students that choose to do so will be doing themselves a serious disservice. I'm sure one would get a good job with a Harvard MBA, but the more prestigious jobs will be harder to land. Those without work experience will generally be the at the bottom of the totem pole. Furthermore, undergrads really don't understand post-graduate work life or grasp which career path is best for them. Even if you get a good job, it could be completely wrong for you.</p>
<p>If one can get into Harvard 2+2, with a few years of work experience he/she should, after a few years of work experience, be able to have their choice of Harvard, Wharton, Stanford, Northwestern, or perhaps be highly successful without an MBA. The purpose of the 2+2 is to bring in the "best of the best" undergrads that otherwise may not consider Harvard (because they would likely choose another path if given the option in a few years).</p>
<p>"at some point you just want to be done with it and not have the 'I have to return' thing hanging over your head."</p>
<p>I don't think anyone in my class thought this way. People returned to school because they wanted to and felt it could help their career. Directly after coming out of UG, you don't know your career path yet to know if an MBA is suitable or necessary for you.</p>
<p>I think I agree a lot with gellino. BS is not something you get out of the way, and if you are approaching it that way, you may be as well be investing a ton of money into something you will not get full benefit from. It should be a next step in a career that already has some sort of a path.</p>