Posted on by Phil

Why Business School?

Last week I was hanging outside on a bench, getting some work done and enjoying another beautiful day on campus. As the day wore on, I was approached by a stranger as I was starting to pack up my things.

“Hey – do you go to school here?”
“Yes”
“I’m a prospective student, and I just wanted to know….why did you come here? I know it’s a great business school, but what drew you besides that?”

It was a good question, and I appreciated his guts to walk up to a random person on campus to quiz them about their life choices.

Over the past year, a lot of friends and friends of friends have asked my why I went to bschool. It’s a question that weighs heavily on a lot of people’s minds, especially as they get 3-5 years of work experience and start thinking if the opportunity cost of 2 years in school is worth it.

I looked back at the stranger, and related that a year ago I wasn’t 100% sure about bschool, or HBS. I want to start a company, and there is no MBA required for that. I went to undergrad business school, and have been interested in this stuff pretty much forever (I started investing in stocks when I was 11). So, it was unclear what I’d learn in the classroom…I also found myself talking about HBS’s insane track record of developing CEOs and entrepreneurs, the great people you’ll meet, and the power of the brand.

When people ask me if they should attend business school, the answer usually comes down to this: If you want to live your life around happiness, then you should go. People told me it’d be the best 2 years of my life. I didn’t really believe them, but it’s been pretty darn close so far. The people are great, classes are fun (and I hate school, generally speaking), and you get unparalleled opportunities to interact with people who are running companies, top investors, etc – every day of the week and in small group settings.

This is not to mention the people you get to spend time with in and out of class. I remember pinching myself one day last year when I realized I’d worked out with two Navy SEALS in the morning, and negotiated against two people who’d won the national championship in debate that same afternoon. The resumes are impressive, but the character of the people and insanely friendly atmosphere make it just plain fun. When I came back from my summer internship this fall, I’d forgotten how warm and fuzzy being on campus makes you feel – it’s just awesome (and yes, I’ve clearly had a bit of the cool-aid here).

So, happiness is at an all time high (which is what I think we should all be optimizing our lives around anyways). And, if you’re in the majority, b school will have a positive ROI for your career as well – with very few exceptions. Not too shabby.

I’m not sure if the stranger internalized what I said or not. I respected his lack of satisfaction with the mean salaries, GMAT scores, and rankings that you can find on the internet. I appreciated his desire to dig deeper, and hope he found what he was looking for.

2,232 Replies to “Why Business School?”

  1. Write more, thats all I have to say. Literally, it seems as
    though you relied on the video to make your point. You obviously know what youre talking about,
    why waste your intelligence on just posting videos to your site
    when you could be giving us something enlightening to read?

  2. Link exchange is nothing else except it is only placing the
    other person’s blog link on your page at appropriate place
    and other person will also do similar in support of you.

  3. Hello, i think that i saw you visited my web site so i came
    to “return the favor”.I am trying to find things to
    enhance my site!I suppose its ok to use a few of your ideas!!

  4. Hi, I do believe this is a great site. I stumbledupon it ;
    ) I am going to revisit yet again since I book marked it.
    Money and freedom is the best way to change, may you
    be rich and continue to guide others.

  5. I’m not sure exactly why but this website is loading very slow for me.
    Is anyone else having this problem or is it a problem on my end?
    I’ll check back later and see if the problem still exists.

  7. Do you mind if I quote a few of your articles as long as I provide credit and sources back to your website?
    My blog is in the exact same niche as yours and my visitors would genuinely
    benefit from a lot of the information you present here.

    Please let me know if this alright with you.

    Thanks a lot!

  8. My developer is trying to persuade me to move to .net from PHP.
    I have always disliked the idea because of the expenses.
    But he’s tryiong none the less. I’ve been using WordPress
    on various websites for about a year and am concerned about switching to another platform.
    I have heard great things about blogengine.net.
    Is there a way I can import all my wordpress posts
    into it? Any help would be really appreciated!

  11. Hi, I do believe this is an excellent web site. I stumbledupon it 😉 I will come
    back yet again since i have bookmarked it. Money and freedom is the greatest way to change, may you be rich
    and continue to guide others.

  13. I know this site offers quality based articles or reviews and additional material, is there any other site which gives these data in quality?

  14. Greetings from Los angeles! I’m bored at work so I decided to
    browse your blog on my iphone during lunch break. I enjoy the information you present here and can’t wait to take a look when I get
    home. I’m shocked at how quick your blog loaded on my phone ..
    I’m not even using WIFI, just 3G .. Anyways, very good
    site!

  15. I think this is among the so much vital information for me.
    And i’m satisfied studying your article. But wanna observation on some common things, The website taste is wonderful,
    the articles is truly nice : D. Just right job, cheers

  19. Write more, thats all I have to say. Literally, it seems as
    though you relied on the video to make your point. You definitely know what youre talking about, why
    waste your intelligence on just posting videos
    to your blog when you could be giving us something informative
    to read?

  20. Its like you read my mind! You appear to know so
    much about this, like you wrote the book in it or something.

    I think that you can do with some pics to drive the message home a little
    bit, but other than that, this is great blog.
    An excellent read. I’ll certainly be back.

  23. Hi there to every one, for the reason that I am
    actually eager of reading this weblog’s post to be updated regularly.
    It consists of fastidious information.

  25. You undoubtedly make this seem fairly simple with your screen but Everyone
    find these kinds of matter to get actually something which I think We would never appreciate.
    It seems too complex and intensely broad for me personally.
    I am looking forward for your forthcoming post, Sick try to get employed to it!

  27. You can certainly see your enthusiasm in the article you write.

    The sector hopes for even more passionate writers such as you
    who aren’t afraid to mention how they believe.
    At all times follow your heart.

  28. What’s Going down i am new to this, I stumbled upon this I’ve
    found It absolutely helpful and it has aided me out loads.
    I’m hoping to give a contribution & help different users like its aided me.
    Good job.

  29. An impressive share! I’ve just forwarded this onto a coworker who
    has been conducting a little homework on this.
    And he in fact ordered me dinner simply because I stumbled upon it for him…
    lol. So allow me to reword this…. Thank YOU for the meal!!
    But yeah, thanx for spending some time to discuss
    this matter here on your blog.

  30. Hi, i feel that i noticed you visited my web site thus i came to return the choose?.I am attempting to
    find issues to improve my web site!I assume its ok to use a few of your ideas!!

  31. Hi to all, how is everything, I think every one is getting more from this web page, and your
    views are pleasant in support of new visitors.

  34. I really like what you guys are usually up too. This kind of clever work and
    exposure! Keep up the amazing works guys I’ve included you
    guys to blogroll.

  35. Nice blog here! Also your site loads up very fast!
    What host are you using? Can I get your affiliate
    link to your host? I wish my web site loaded up as fast as yours lol

  36. Hey there! I’ve been reading your weblog for some time now and finally got the bravery to go ahead and give you a shout out from
    New Caney Tx! Just wanted to mention keep up the fantastic
    work!

  37. I do agree with all the ideas you’ve offered to your
    post. They are very convincing and will certainly work.
    Nonetheless, the posts are too quick for starters. May just
    you please extend them a bit from subsequent time?
    Thanks for the post.

  42. A motivating discussion is worth comment. I think that you should publish
    more about this topic, it might not be a taboo subject but generally folks don’t discuss such subjects.
    To the next! Many thanks!!

  45. I am not sure where you are getting your info, but great topic.
    I needs to spend some time learning much more or understanding more.
    Thanks for excellent information I was looking for this info for my mission.

  47. Hello there! This is my first visit to your
    blog! We are a collection of volunteers and starting a new initiative in a community
    in the same niche. Your blog provided us valuable information to work
    on. You have done a wonderful job!

  49. After I originally left a comment I seem to have clicked on the -Notify me when new comments are added- checkbox and from now on each
    time a comment is added I get four emails with the exact
    same comment. Perhaps there is an easy method you can remove me from that service?

    Thank you!

  50. I was suggested this blog by my cousin. I’m not sure whether this
    post is written by him as no one else know such detailed
    about my problem. You are amazing! Thanks!

Comments are closed.