What happens *after* the MBA? đ
are the outcomes actually worth it or is it a fool's errand? â¨
Good morning!
Welcome to the foolâs month đŤľ
Do you know where April Fools comes from? I looked it up. The weird part is no one knows for sure. Yes there are theories- Some historians speculate that April Foolsâ Day dates back to 1582, when France switched from the Julian calendar to the Gregorian calendar. In the Julian Calendar, the new year began around April 1. People who didnât realize the change continued to celebrate it during the last week of March through April 1 and became the butt of jokes and hoaxes, earning the title of âApril fools.â
We donât think about it much but time is a weird concept- how we perceive it and how we count it. We perceive time as a linear progression, a relentless march forward. Yet, in its relentless ticking, it reveals its absurdity. Moments stretch and compress, like a cosmic accordion playing an unpredictable tune.
Our perception of time bends under the weight of deadlines, especially those looming over MBA aspirants. These deadlines, arbitrary markers set by institutions, become the puppet masters of our existence. We dance to their rhythm, juggling essays, recommendations, and standardized tests. The absurdity lies in our frantic pursuit of these temporal milestones, as if they hold the keys to our future. We laugh, we fret, and we question our sanity, all while racing against the clock. But perhaps, hidden within this chaos, lies the essence of our journeyâa paradoxical blend of urgency and reflection, where deadlines become both our captors and liberators.
This monthâs newsletter focuses on 2 things - Round 1 vs Round 2 deadlines and the ACTUAL outcomes post-MBA.
Letâs dive in đ¤ż
đ¨ Notable upcoming deadlines đ¨
MIT Sloan R2 decision â 5th April 2024
Cornell R2 decision â 5th April 2024
Stanford R3 deadline â 9th April 2024
Harvard 2+2 deadline â 25th April 2024
Georgetown R4 deadline â 30th April 2024
Considering applying for 2025 intake?
MBA Application Deadlines: Round 1 vs. Round 2 â°
Letâs talk about MBA applications rounds- almost all business schools have multiple deadlines called âroundsâ. The practice of having multiple application rounds for MBA programs serves several crucial purposes. Firstly, it allows admissions committees to evaluate a sizable pool of applicants simultaneously. By staggering the rounds, they can compare historical data with the current round, assessing both demand for their programs and how the qualifications and demographics of the new group compare to previous ones. This approach helps in assembling an optimal cohort with a well-rounded mix of expertise, experience, and ambitions. Additionally, the timing of these rounds aids in allocating scholarships and financial aid effectively. Applying early in Round 1 does come with increased odds of admission, as all seats are up for grabs, and scholarship budgets have not yet been awarded. However, quality remains paramount, regardless of the round chosen. Letâs break it down:
1. The Early Bird Advantage: Round 1
Serious Intent: Applying in Round 1 signals your commitment and planning to admission committees. It shows that a particular business school is your top choice.
Higher Acceptance Rates: Top schools often have more available seats in Round 1, leading to better chances of admission.
Scholarship Opportunities: Round 1 applicants may receive scholarships as a reward for their early commitment.
2. The Quality Factor: Round 2
Application Readiness: If you have a polished resume, strong letters of recommendation, and a competitive GMAT score, Round 1 is your best shot.
Extra Time: Round 2 allows you additional months to improve your application. If you need more time to enhance your profile, consider this round.
Top Business Schools: Applying in Round 1 or 2 is essential for top-ranked schools. Their acceptance rates drop significantly in Round 3.
3. International Applicants
Visa Formalities: International students benefit from applying in the first two rounds due to additional time required for visa applications.
Expert Advice
Most top business schools donât have a strong preference between Round 1 and Round 2. However, they discourage applying in Round 3.
Remember, quality matters more than timing. Craft a compelling application regardless of the round.
BUTTT - try to go for Round 1 for maximum chances of success in terms of admissions + scholarships.
Round 1 for the 2025 intake for most top schools is in 150 days (Sept 2024).
Round 2 is in 200 days. Act accordingly đ
Post-MBA Career Outcomes: Insights from the top schools đ
Graduating from a top-tier MBA program opens doors to diverse and rewarding career paths. But what precisely are these career paths? Letâs look at 8 popular programs-
1. Columbia Business School (CBS)
Common Career Outcomes:
Consulting: CBS alumni often land roles in top consulting firms.
Financial Services: Investment banking, investment management, and private equity are popular choices.
Technology: CBS graduates also thrive in tech-related roles.
2. Insead
Common Career Outcomes:
Financial Services: Insead graduates find success in finance-related roles.
Management Consulting: Consulting firms value Insead talent.
Technology: Roles in tech, media, and telecommunications are common.
3. IESE Business School
Common Career Outcomes:
Consulting: IESE alumni excel in consulting.
Finance: Investment banking, venture capital, and fintech roles.
Diversified Industries: Graduates explore various sectors.
4. Harvard Business School (HBS)
Common Career Outcomes:
Consulting: HBS students often join prestigious consulting firms.
High Salaries: Median base salaries for HBS graduates are impressive.
Diverse Functions: Roles span strategy, operations, and HR.
5. Stanford Graduate School of Business
Common Career Outcomes:
Entrepreneurship: Stanford GSB fosters innovation and startup success.
Technology: Graduates thrive in Silicon Valley and beyond.
Social Impact: Many choose nonprofit or social enterprise roles.
6. SDA Bocconi School of Management
Common Career Outcomes:
Consulting: SDA Bocconi alumni contribute to global consulting firms.
Finance: Roles in investment banking and private equity.
Luxury Goods: Italyâs influence shines in luxury brand management.
7. University of California at Berkeley: Haas
Common Career Outcomes:
Tech Industry: Haas graduates make waves in tech companies.
Consulting: Consulting roles remain popular.
Consumer and Retail: Roles in consumer goods and retail sectors.
8. Cornell University: Johnson
Common Career Outcomes:
Investment Banking: Johnson School alumni find success in finance.
Consulting: Consulting firms value their analytical skills.
Retail and Consumer Goods: Roles in these sectors are common.
So- what did we learn? Common threads seem to be finance, consulting and tech. These are the 3 industries that recruit the most from b-schools. Are you already in them and want to grow further or change your job function? Do you want to pivot to these industries from somewhere else? MBA makes it possible.
What are we reading at Base Camp?
Cobalt Red by Siddharth Kara - Great, incisive book about how the blood of Congo powers our lives. Cobalt is an essential component to every lithium-ion rechargeable battery made today, the batteries that power our smartphones, tablets, laptops, and electric vehicles. Roughly 75 percent of the worldâs supply of cobalt is mined in the Congo, often by peasants and children in sub-human conditions. Billions of people in the world cannot conduct their daily lives without participating in a human rights and environmental catastrophe in the Congo. In this stark and crucial book, Kara argues that we must all care about what is happening in the Congoâbecause we are all implicated.
The Rise and Fall of the Trad Wife - Some content creators helped lead an online movement promoting domesticity- especially for women. Now itâs become its own monster.
What does the future of Bengali Food look like? - Chef Auroni Mookerjee is redefining and elevating Bengali cuisine whilst simultaneously digging down and getting back to its roots. Somika Basu accompanies him on a market walk, as they discuss seasonality and the need to explore Bengali cuisine beyond its stereotypes.
Thank you for reading our monthly newsletter- Base Camp.
If you liked this newsletter, share it with your people. If you didnât like it, reply and tell me why so we can make it better.
We are a small team of MBA & PhD alumni that work with only 100 people every year to help them get into tier-1 MBA & Masters programs.
We have a 97% success rate.
If you are targeting Tier 1 MBA/Masters programs and need some advice â
See you next month!
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