So, who applied to business school this year, and where did you get in/get denied? I just got a letter of acceptance (email, actually) from UT's McCombs School of Business, and I'm pretty freaking excited. UT is the first school I've actually heard from (I got a late start on my applications), and I'm still waiting to hear from a few other schools. So, barring any complications, it looks like I'll definitely be heading back to school for an MBA degree this fall! "W00t!" (... And I thought I wouldn't get in anywhere....) So, c'mon... out with it!
I don't know to congratulate you on your acceptance into the school or to your possible return to Texas and your beloved JCI.
Congrats on getting into McCombs, VesceySux. I'm finishing up my application for the Texas (McCombs) MBA at D/FW program. It's an executive/professional MBA course offered by UT (Austin) for the folks up here in the Dallas area. I should be finding out sometime this summer if I got in or not. I take my GMAT in May. Anyone else enrolled in this program either in Dallas or H-town?
I got in Leeds at UC Boulder. I'm overqualified, and it was the only school I applied to. I have a strong undergrad business background but want to transition to something more entreprenuerial. Leeds is top 15 in that regards, but only 51 overall. If I waited a year and applied to the Stanford, Berkeley, UT, Chicago, Duke, Wharton's of the world, I'd get into a few, but then again, I got a scholarship from Boulder, and they give you residency the second year, so all-in out of pocket there would only be like $20k (both years), whereas tuition this year for Stanford will be $41k, Wharton $39k - just for 1 year. Positives: If anyone has any direct knowledge of the Leeds program, I'd be interested to hear. I want to live in Colorado, and I want to do something entreprenuerial, which Leeds is good at...there is a decent VC community in Boulder, and a lot of start-ups. Negatives: Not the most highly regards b-school in other areas, especially considering I could get into a top 20 school here or there. Could be a waste of time. Advice?
As a student in B-school right now and someone who has worked with a number of entrepeneurs in my prior career, I'll give you my opinion. You can learn a ton more about becoming a successful entrepeneur by finding a small company and working there for a couple years than you will ever learn in business school. Do that. Then go to a top business school. In order to be a successful entrepeneur, you need to have the ability to run all aspects of a business (so look for a general management program as opposed to a program that will have you specialize in one area) and you need conections in the VC community. Look long and hard at Leeds to see which of the local VCs come to campus to meet students or hear ideas. Just because there are VCs around doesn't mean they necessarily respect a school. Also take a long hard look at the student body at Leeds. Do any of those folks impress you? Are they people that you would seek out for advice? If yes, that's great. If not, don't waste your money. Just my opinion, of course. And it's also worth noting that most true entrepeneurs don't even need business school. To a certain degree, business school gives you a "stamp" and a network. An entrepeneur doesn't need a stamp and you can build a network on your own. Good luck.
I was going to ask why to go at all, then, but you kind of answered that question later. Which is why I listed as possible waste of time/money as a negative. If it wasn't for time provided and introduction to new business community and similiar, like minded people, it wouldn't even be a consideration. For that matter, it really wasn't till mid-March, when I noticed the final round application deadline wasn't till April 1st and decided to apply.
