How The M7’s Magnificence Was Tested In 2020

Columbia Business School 2019 graduation

Columbia Business School graduation

QUOTES FROM THE M7

Jamie Schein, assistant dean and director of Stanford GSB’s Career Management Center:

“What strikes me about the Class of 2020 is that despite the challenges in the global pandemic and with the economy, the job outcomes were strong. The mean and median salaries were record-breaking for the sixth consecutive year, and signing bonuses were up as well.

“Our graduates remained focused and determined, finding careers that allowed them to make a difference in the world around them, despite the turmoil in the economy and global health crisis. The strong outcomes in this employment report are a testament to their value in the marketplace.”

Liza Kirkpatrick, managing director of Kellogg’s Career Management Center:

“As I reflect on the employment outcomes for our 2Y MBA Class of 2020, one thing is indisputable — this past year was an incredible display of resilience, collaboration, and creativity. Despite significant disruption to virtually every industry, including a complete pivot to how companies recruit and interview, I’m incredibly proud to say that 95% of Kellogg’s 2Y MBA class received job offers and 93% of the class accepted job offers within three months of graduating. Among our international 2Y MBA grads in particular, 96% received job offers and 93% accepted job offers within three months of graduating.

“To see this success during such a disruptive year is an incredible testament to the strength of the Kellogg network, our longstanding and diverse relationships with employers, and the resiliency of our students.”

Maryellen Reilly, deputy vice dean of Wharton’s MBA program

Maryellen Reilly, deputy vice dean of Wharton’s MBA program:

“Given the extraordinary circumstances of spring and summer 2020, we are so proud of our students for their resilience and perseverance and grateful to our recruiting partners for their commitment and adaptability as conditions shifted and changed. While some summer internships were delayed, shortened, or unfortunately canceled, we are thrilled to report that 99.9% of first-year students seeking a summer internship received an offer. While 93.5% of students seeking employment in the graduating class received a full-time offer is a decrease from last year at 98.5%, we are very satisfied with these numbers given the headwinds the job market was facing.

“We will continue to work with our students, alumni, and companies to continue to find new ways of adapting the recruiting experience, providing means of connecting and developing relationships in a virtual world, and joining high-quality candidates with highly desirable opportunities.”

Chad Losee, Harvard managing director of MBA admissions and financial aid:

“We enrolled a smaller class of 732 students this year as a result of the deferral option we offered incoming students as they navigated the onset of the pandemic. The data presented in the Class Profile reflect these 732 enrolled students. Students who deferred will be represented in the Class Profile when they enroll over the next two years.

“As I’ve noted before, we are actively exploring increasing our class size beyond our typical 930 for the next two years, though that has not been approved yet. Please also note that the deferral option extended in 2020 was a one-time exception because of the onset of the pandemic. (Applicants) should apply in the year (they) are ready to enroll, as we have reverted to our practice of not offering deferrals outside of personal emergency situations.”

Susan Sandler Brennan, assistant dean of the MIT Sloan Career Development Office:

“Market uncertainty in March impacted full-time and internship opportunities, with an unprecedented number of rescinded or canceled offers,” Brennan says. “The MIT Sloan community, including our leadership, faculty, centers and initiatives, and alumni came together to source hundreds of opportunities and fund select internships. It has been a year of partnership and resilience.”

Adds Brennan: “The MBA Class of 2020 performed well in a challenging market, with 95.5% receiving offers within three months of graduation. Forty-seven percent of job-seeking graduates accepted positions with employers who hired three or more Sloanies; and 52% of organizations hired Sloanies for the first time in 2020.”

Regina Resnick, senior managing director of the Columbia Career Management Center:

“This year, Columbia Business School students demonstrated resilience during a time of unprecedented disruption and landed well.”

Donna Swinford, associate dean for student recruitment and admissions to MBA programs at Chicago Booth:

“This was a challenging year for everyone. The world changed for all of us almost overnight. Both schools and applicants had to shift gears very quickly, and I’m extremely proud of the resiliency I saw within our admissions team and our candidates. If you look at the timeline, three days before our Round Two decision, Illinois went into a lockdown. It was heartening to witness everyone’s spirit and ability to navigate such unprecedented challenges.

“Our admits have been faced with one change after another, and their capacity for dealing with ambiguity was tested almost immediately upon being admitted. We’re proud of how all of our admitted students, current students, faculty, staff, alumni, families, and other members of our community have stepped up during this time. This fall, we welcomed another incredibly impressive class that represents a wide range of industries, backgrounds, regions, and career interests, but most notably, represents the resilient, bold, and supportive nature that we see in the most successful Boothies.”

POETS&QUANTS PROFILES OF THE M7 CLASS OF 2022

HARVARD BUSINESS SCHOOL

THE WHARTON SCHOOL

STANFORD GRADUATE SCHOOL OF BUSINESS

CHICAGO BOOTH SCHOOL OF BUSINESS

NORTHWESTERN KELLOGG SCHOOL OF MANAGEMENT

COLUMBIA BUSINESS SCHOOL

MIT SLOAN SCHOOL OF MANAGEMENT

AND OUR MEET THE CLASS SERIES

SLOAN

HARVARD

KELLOGG

BOOTH

WHARTON

(STANFORD & COLUMBIA YET TO BE PUBLISHED)

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