P&Q’s Must Reads: Business School Deans Face Controversy Over Statements On Hamas Attack On Israel

Hello everyone  — Welcome back to Poets&Quants’ Must Reads, a quick, digestible recap of the top business school news, sponsored by CentreCourt, P&Q’s virtual admission events.

I’m your host, Kristy Bleizeffer, and I’ll be highlighting the most important P&Q stories you might have missed. So, let’s get to it. 

No. 1: Business School Deans Face Controversy Over Statements On Hamas Attack On Israel 

Soon after issuing a carefully worded statement of support for Israel in the wake of a terrorist attack by Hamas, a business school dean received a flood of hate mail from pro-Palestinian students and alumni.

Like so many university and school leaders, the dean–who requested anonymity–was thrown into the dilemma that many face: should school leadership comment at all on social and geo-political events. Deans at many business schools from Harvard Business School and INSEAD to the Wharton School and UC Berkeley’s Haas School of Business, have waded into the highly polarizing unrest in the Middle East. What they have often found, however, is that the schools are damned if they do, and damned if they don’t–regardless of what is said in a statement.

Read more about how schools are responding to this issue now, on our homepage.

No. 2: Wall Street Journal Reports That MBA Job Offers Are ‘In Short Supply’

The Wall Street Journal reports that companies are dialing back or delaying hiring of MBAs this fall, a sharp turn from the supercharged recruiting seasons of years past.

Career officers and students at Yale University, Columbia University and Northwestern University say businesses are spending less time on campus than in recent years to hire second-year MBA candidates, or holding off on job offers. That has students thinking about their Plan B if top-tier companies aren’t making offers. EY, Amazon and Boston Consulting Group are rethinking hiring strategy, or saying they will make moves when next year’s business picture becomes clearer, the companies and campus officials say.

Learn more about this concerning trend on our homepage.

No. 3: Why A 750 GMAT Will Fall To Just 695 On The New GMAT Exam 

When GMAT test takers sit for the new, shorter exam starting next month, they may well be shocked to find how difficult it will be to score a 700 or more. on the test. That’s because a new scoring approach will substantially lower test scores.

A 750 on the current GMAT, which puts a test taker in the 98th percentile, will convert to just a 695 on the new GMAT Focus Edition, according to the new concordance tables released by the Graduate Management Admission Council, the administrator of the exams. A 700 score on the existing test will become a 645 on the new GMAT.

Find out what this means for prospective test takers in our trending tab.

No. 4: Our Weekly Round Up of  News You Can Use

No matter where you are in your MBA journey, we bring several helpful stories for you this week.

First up: GMAT, GRE & EA: Which Exam Is The Best Fit For You?

This story, on our homepage, describes the differences and benefits between the three entrance exams. Find in on our homepage.

Next: Manhattan Prep On The New GMAT: Don’t Worry. Be Happy. This story, in our Admissions Hub, explains why you shouldn’t panic about the new GMAT scoring.

Finally: How To Choose Your MBA Electives. Check out this story for elective tips and how to use your campus visit to get an admissions edge. It’s up now on our homepage. 

And, that’s it for this week’s Must Reads recap. 

I also want to alert school seekers to our upcoming online MBA admissions event. You’ll hear from alumni and career experts from leading business schools about how the MBA can fast-track your career. Our next event is Nov. 7-8, and you can register now for free.

Again, I’m Kristy Bleizeffer, and you can join me next week, right here, for a recap of what’s important in the world of business education. Thanks for listening and, as always, stay informed!