Biggest Myths About Your Favorite Business Schools

Babson College has long been synonymous with entrepreneurship. That comes with its pros and cons. Stand out in one key facet, the business gurus say, and you’ll forever differentiate yourself. The downside, of course, is the risk of being pigeonholed as a specialist.

To an outsider, the Olin Graduate School of Business is a startup lab. Students are constantly forming teams and testing ideas. However, Olin is hardly a vocational school for aspiring founders. More than a pervasive spirit, Olin entrepreneurship is a step-by-step approach that that students repeat every day. It is grounded in Entrepreneurial Thought and Action, a philosophy that demands students pinpoint an idea’s impact and value, conduct intensive research, continuously perform small experiments and forward-moving actions, and identifying means and risks.

MYTHS ABOUT 40 TOP BUSINESS SCHOOLS

For Ryan Carello, a 2024 Best & Brightest MBA, Entrepreneurial Thought and Action resonated because it instilled so many valuable tools for any business context. For one, the experience taught Carello to pivot quickly from setbacks, deviate from precedents, and listen carefully – the same problem-solving and soft skills needed to lead teams involved in launching new products or divisions. It is this mindset, he says, which makes the Babson MBA so valuable to students who aren’t planning to start their own companies.

“Babson teaches us how to think like entrepreneurs, which is way bigger than just launching startups,” Carello tells P&Q. “This mindset is about spotting opportunities and getting creative with solutions, no matter where you are – in finance, marketing, you name it. It’s about making things better, thinking on your feet, and driving growth wherever you’re planted. It’s not just for the startup world; it’s for every part of business and, honestly, it changes the game.”

Yes, the business school universe is rife with myths. While Babson Olin may be saddled with the “Startup School” moniker, you’ll hear that INSEAD is a consulting bootcamp or Washington Foster is tech central. Who can forget that urban students are distant and Ivy Leaguers are pretentious? If you want to work on the coasts, steer clear of the Midwest! Alas, such myths perpetuate a cultural bias (or blur an employment report). When applicants buy in, they don’t consider a school, pay a visit, or apply for a spot. In the end, they might miss out on a life-changing experience and a life-long support network.

When Poets&Quants surveyed its Best & Brightest MBAs and MBAs to Watch last spring, we asked them to share the biggest myths they’d heard about their business schools – and let them set the record straight. From Cambridge Judge Business School to the Yale School of Management, here are all the misconceptions, stereotypes, and slanders surrounding your favorite MBA programs.

Myth: Everyone cycles at Cambridge and a bicycle is mandatory to get to Cambridge Judge.

Reality: “While it is true that approximately 25% of people who live in Cambridge cycle to work, the highest percentage in the United Kingdom, Cambridge is also an extremely walkable city given its compact city centre, expansive green spaces, and pedestrian-only areas. I also secretly enjoy the slightly longer commute that comes with walking, as it gives me an opportunity to catch up on a Climate Tech podcast or Hip-Hop album I’ve been dying to listen to while taking in the beautiful surroundings.”
Hugo Mkhize, Cambridge Judge Business School

 

Myth: Tepper MBA only draws analytical thinkers.

Reality: “This couldn’t be further from the truth. The Tepper curriculum is diverse and continuously evolving. We aim to be human-informed and data-driven. The program goes beyond teaching statistics and analytics. It also places a strong emphasis on developing empathetic leadership, interpersonal communication, and the ability to leverage influence across global organizations”
Anushikha Sharma, Carnegie Mellon (Tepper)

 

Myth: CEIBS courses are taught in Mandarin.

Reality: “I was recently asked about the demographics of students at CEIBS and the language in which courses are taught. I can confirm that all MBA courses at CEIBS are taught in English, and the enrollment system is the same as other international business schools. While we had a higher proportion of students with Chinese ethnicity in the previous year due to pandemic-related restrictions, the 2024 batch includes students from various countries including the UK, Germany, Spain, Mexico, Japan, Singapore, Canada, and South Africa. We expect the proportion of international students to return to pre-pandemic levels.”
Shuhua Mou, CEIBS

 

Myth: Columbia Business School lacks a sense of community due to its location in the bustling metropolis of New York City.

Reality: “This does not hold true in my experience. While New York City is known for its fast-paced lifestyle and endless possibilities, it does not detract from the sense of community developed within the walls of the school. In fact, I believe the energetic setting enhances the school’s community by providing a rich backdrop for socializing and networking. Despite being situated in one of the world’s busiest cities, CBS prioritizes building connections among its students, faculty, administration, and alumni. Through various extracurricular activities, I have found ample opportunities to build bonds with my peers, engage in meaningful discussions, and form lasting friendships.”
Jeff S. McClellan, Columbia Business School

 

Myth: Ithaca is in the middle of nowhere with nothing to do.

Reality: “I think Ithaca is a fantastic place for two years of learning and personal growth. As a rural city, it naturally forced me to spend time with my classmates, quite a different experience than going to school in a city. Its location creates a natural community amongst the MBA cohort. The wineries, breweries, farmers markets, ski mountain and town festivals provide plenty of action.

At the same time, I spent many days in New York City for classes, conferences, networking and recruiting. Cornell Tech’s Roosevelt Island campus and the Cornell Club became my home away from home throughout my two years.”
Frank Hager, Cornell University (Johnson)

 

Myth: “Tuck Nice” is no different than any other campus.

Reality: “It is a real thing. I can’t count the number of times I’ve personally experienced “Tuck nice” or seen it happen. “Tuck Nice” is having multiple cars show up on an icy day to pull you out of a ditch on I-91; a random student reviewing your paper for grammar an hour before it’s due; or someone just sending you a text or email checking in if you’re okay because you haven’t seemed yourself lately. It’s part of the fabric of Tuck and an expectation of the community. Even if you are busy or can’t do something—you always find a little extra energy to help someone else.”
Ta-Von Wilson, Dartmouth College (Tuck)

“When I was applying, I thought that meant people would be good team players but maybe less personally driven. That is absolutely not the case: at Tuck, I’ve come across classmates who are more driven, diligent, hard-working, and able to balance competing interests than anywhere I’ve ever been. What is true is that Tuckies wear their accomplishments and ambitions lightly. Unless you have those deeper conversations, you might not know what amazing things they’ve done and experienced. I’ve been consistently and deeply grateful for the opportunities I’ve had—as a Peer Support Counselor, co-chair of the Mental Health and Wellness Initiative, and host of the podcast If You Knew Me—to dive into the humbling stories of my classmates. If there’s one thing I would recommend anyone, it’s take the time to ask the question. There’s always a store of personal and professional wisdom to gain.”
Ben Marshall, Dartmouth College (Tuck)

 

Myth: Attending business school in Durham, North Carolina is a disadvantage in comparison to major cities.

Reality: “Durham and the Triangle is such a cool, fast-growing, and unique area. We always have employers on campus, and countless things to do on the weekends with friends, like explore the food and art scene. I think Durham is the perfect place to be a student.”
Stephen Chinedu Ezekoye, Duke University (Fuqua)

 

Myth: Goizueta caters exclusively caters to students looking to enter consulting and banking in the Atlanta area.

Reality: “Not only is our reach expanding nationally (11 of 14 students heading into IB internships are going to New York, for instance), but the school is actively encouraging students to explore less-treaded career paths. For example, the Business & Society Institute fosters interest in sustainability, equity, and non-profits, and the school is actively building out coursework in healthcare, fintech, and entrepreneurship.”
Cameron Bard, Emory University (Goizueta)

 

Myth: Georgetown is just about politics and international relations.

Reality: “The entrepreneurship community vastly exceeded my expectations. I discovered an ultra-engaged, tight-knit network across students, faculty, and alumni relentlessly investing in one another’s ventures through advice, insights, and opportunities. From the undergrad incubator to the MBA Startup Fellowship funding my summer of momentum-building, the hands-on programs and contagious pay-it-forward culture fueled real founder growth.

Whether through an alumni talk sparking new directions or collaborating with motivated peers, this ecosystem is built passion and capabilities way beyond academics. The community’s authentic desire to connect and empower budding entrepreneurs dispelled any notion that Georgetown is strictly government-focused.”
Dumi Mabhena, Georgetown University (McDonough)

 

Myth: UGA isn’t diverse.

Reality: “As someone who had never lived in the Southeast, I had a lot of negative stereotypes about what it would be like to live in the South. As someone who worked primarily with women in the retail buying field, I had a lot of concerns about attending school mostly with men. As someone who lived in big cities for the past 11 years, I was worried about a lack of diversity affecting the culture of UGA and Athens. It’s understandable – we fear what we don’t know. All my concerns were assuaged when I showed up for orientation and learned that a sizable portion of my cohort was coming from Asia, India, Africa, and Canada. Plus, I had over 30 other women to learn with. The Athens community continues to surprise and delight me with the diversity of its restaurants, music, events, and culture – as well as its acceptance of people who didn’t grow up here.”
Laura Emerson, University of Georgia (Terry)

 

Myth: HEC Paris… is not in Paris.

Reality: “Technically, it’s outside of Paris in Jouy-en-Josas. However, this isn’t a bad thing at all! This was a deliberate change made in the 1960s to move us out of the city, and into a “campus”. Today, this campus is one of the things that differentiates us the most from other top MBA schools. Dorms, a forest, a lake, three football fields, a rugby field, an actual French Chateau… these are all things few other schools can boast. During MBAT 2023, countless students came up to us to tell us how lucky we were to have such a beautiful, green campus, etc… things we take for granted on a daily basis!”
Victor Heaulme, HEC Paris

 

Myth: IE is only for successful entrepreneurs or aspiring ones.

Reality: “It is true the school excels in entrepreneurship and that the principles of venture creating are spread across all disciplines at IE. However, IE is a place for people with diverse interests and career pathways. If anything, IE instills in students the disruptive, risk-taking mindset to embrace the continuous challenges present in this ever-evolving world that ultimately impact all types of businesses and organizations.”
Erica P. Santana, IE Business School

Myth: Our students only get internships and full-time roles in the Midwest.

Reality: “While Kelley certainly has extremely strong connections to and significant job placement within the Midwest, our Graduate Career Services (GCS) and our alumni network have a significant (and increasing) presence in and connections to the other U.S. regions and abroad. I was one of several students interning in California, and Kelley had a number of interns in Seattle, New York City, Atlanta, and other major metropolitan hubs outside of the Midwest. Though I will always stand by the “Midwest is best” motto, Kelley expanded rather than limited my geographic horizons when it came to internship and full-time roles.”
Olivia Ramos, Indiana University (Kelley)

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