Favorite Traditions At The Top MBA Programs

“Anderson Afternoons aka Andernoons! Every Thursday, we have students from all graduate business programs come together and mingle over food and drinks in our North Terrace. It’s like a weekly reminder to celebrate the small wins and an opportunity to connect with friends and administration in a fun, stress-free way. Occasionally we’ll have clubs sponsor Andernoons and plan cool events and performances for the student body to enjoy. Some notable ones include Black Business Student Association (BBSA) hiring a church choir last year during Black History Month and the South Asian Business Association’s (SABA) Diwali performance that included non-SABA members. It’s truly the highlight of my week.”
Nkemdilim Chukwuma, UCLA (Anderson)

 

“Marshall has so many traditions throughout the year – starting with Tommy’s Days of Fun in the summer, Tailgates and Class Trips in the fall, and Summits and Treks in the spring. However, my favorite tradition might be the 100 Days Celebration. Every year, the program hosts a fancy dinner and award ceremony for the 2nd year students 100 days before graduation. It was so much fun getting dressed up with my classmates, voting on superlatives, celebrating with faculty and staff, and then inviting the entire first year class to join us for an after party. Marshall is very good at embracing a “study hard, celebrate hard” mindset, which allows us to connect with our classmates beyond our typical on-campus schedules.”
Kate van Keulen, USC (Marshall)

 

“My favorite MBA event at business school was the annual Apple Picking Event held at Chudleigh’s Farm. Positioned early in the fall calendar, this event served as a fantastic opportunity to connect with classmates beyond the confines of the classroom. It underscored the strong sense of community that Rotman prides itself on, offering us a welcome respite from our academic endeavors. The experience was not just about the joy of apple picking; it was also a chance to indulge in the farm’s delightful cider and apple tart varieties, which were absolutely divine! This tradition perfectly reflected Rotman’s commitment to fostering a supportive and engaging community, enriching our MBA journey with memorable moments of camaraderie and relaxation.”
Peter Bello, University of Toronto (Rotman)

 

“My favorite MBA tradition is the Cosmopolitan Week. The Cosmo Week is almost a festival in itself where various affinity groups come together to celebrate the different cultures that they represent. We have various events during the Cosmo Week, such as a Food Festival, where students prepare authentic cuisines representing their culture to introduce their classmates to them. The Yoga and Chai event is another highlight of the Cosmo Week where a certified Yoga instructor who is also an Owen student hosts a guided Yoga session.”
Ishan Desai, Vanderbilt University (Owen)

 

“No Owen tradition conversation is complete without a special mention of the weekly Closing Bell – a long-standing tradition where all Owen students come together every Thursday evening to catch-up on a casual note. Closing Bells are organized by a different student organization every week, allowing everyone a chance to be the hosts of an event that the rest of the school is looking forward to throughout the week.”
Ishan Desai, Vanderbilt University (Owen)

 

“Thursday Closing Bell is hands-down the highlight of my week at business school. It’s an Owen tradition where everyone comes together on Thursdays after classes to relax and have real conversations. It’s not just who you know or have classes with – you interact with classmates you don’t get to hang out with and their families at times. There’s always something new going on because each week, a different club hosts and brings their own theme to the table. The Diwali one was epic – students dressed up in Indian ethnic clothes and munched on some tasty Indian dishes. Plus, after the Bell, we often roll out to spots like Red Door and Losers for some live music with great company. Some of my favorite memories were made at Closing Bell and I will miss this tight-knit, community-oriented tradition once I graduate.”
Rushikesh Jere, Vanderbilt University (Owen)

 

“My favorite Darden tradition is the Darden Cup. Throughout the year we have a series of events ranging from Trivia Night to sports tournaments like basketball, bowling, kickball, cricket, and soccer. At the end of the year, the section that has the most points from placing highest in the events wins the Cup. It’s a good reminder that there is a lot more to an MBA experience than just learning in class and getting a good job.  It’s also about building relationships, getting to know some incredible people, and also having a good amount of fun.”
Malcolm Stewart, University of Virginia (Darden)

 

“The Thursday Night “Cold Calls” have definitely been one of the highlights of my business school experience. Since Darden does not host class on Fridays, Thursdays are known as “Darden Fridays”, where different student organizations and initiatives host social and cultural events in the early evening. One Cold Call that I’ve enjoyed in particular has been the annual Asia Gala hosted by the Asian Business Club at Darden (ABCD). Through the gala students were able to enjoy Asian culture through various cuisines in addition to cultural performances by students. It was a ton of fun to perform in the gala both years.”
Peter Lee Hamilton, University of Virginia (Darden)

 

“One of the best traditions at WBS is the Strategy Consulting Challenge, which accompanies the Strategic Thinking: Strategic Evaluation and Analysis course. While the course introduces students to the theory and practice of strategy analysis and development, the Challenge is a non-mandatory yet highly practical exercise that has become a cherished tradition at WBS.

During the challenge, teams have the opportunity to go beyond applying frameworks and working on presentations; they actually engage in direct contact with clients, lead meetings, obtain documents and financial information, and, after signing NDAs, delve into the intricacies of the clients’ commercial secrets and most valuable know-how. On one hand, such a realistic experience allows participants to get a taste of what it’s like to work at firms like McKinsey or BCG. On the other hand, it helps them forge connections with clients, often securing job offers even before graduation. This reflects the school’s strong emphasis on practical, hands-on learning.”
Vladyslav Bandrovsky, Warwick Business School

 

“Shout out to the Huddle Club! Sailgating is a super unique tradition that we do once a year at Foster. It’s like tailgating, but on a boat. I loved being able to socialize and bond with my classmates in a fun atmosphere outside of classwork, and being at the UW Football games was an easy way to find friends that share the same passion.”
Brady Lemons, University of Washington (Foster)

 

“Imagine embarking on a transformative journey that transcends mere academics, where each destination becomes a chapter in the story of your personal and professional growth. That’s precisely what The Global Immersion Experience offers in our MBA program, an odyssey of learning that spans continents and cultures. For my cohort, the global immersion was a transformative journey spanning 41 days in Paris, Chile, Washington DC, and Barcelona. It was not just about visiting iconic landmarks, but about living, studying, and collaborating with diverse cultures. From the historic streets of Paris to the rugged landscapes of Chile, each destination offered unique insights into global business. Horseback riding in Chile, engaging with policymakers in DC, and savoring midnight meals in Barcelona are just some of the experiences that enrich our understanding. Together with peers and professors, we pushed boundaries, embraced challenges, and emerged as leaders ready to make a difference on a global scale.”
Cherise Brookes, Washington University (Olin)

 

“The Wharton Hockey League (WHL). Of all things I imagined doing when coming to business school, getting involved in an amateur hockey league was nowhere on my mind. But now I’m a proud member of MKP, one of the ten teams within the WHL, where 400 first- and second-year MBAs attempt to play ice hockey, with little to no initial skating ability. Games are scheduled late on Sunday and Mondays (sometimes even the very early hours of Tuesday), and a slew of social events and team bonding take place throughout the year.

While an outsider may view this experience as simply a foolish use of time, the shared experience of hockey provides a strong foundation for affiliation and belonging. Graduates that I’ve interacted with still have an identity to the team they were a part of, and some even return each spring for an alumni tournament, dubbed “Cheesesteak Chalice”. The team atmosphere also allows for first and second years to easily get to know each other in a smaller group, something that is harder to do in the large scale of Wharton’s ~1900 student body. The WHL is just one example of the student-run extracurricular program that defines the social experience of Wharton and builds bonds that will last far after graduation.”
Maximilian Kneis, Wharton School

 

“My favorite MBA tradition is Business Badgers Give Back. During orientation week, groups of students go to local nonprofits to volunteer in the community. During my first year, I went to River Food Pantry, where I helped prepare meals for some of the 2,500 people the organization serves each week. During my second year, I was a site captain at McPike Park, a local Madison park, and led a group to pick up litter. The university is such a big part of Madison, so taking the time to give back to the broader community here is so important. We often reference the Wisconsin Idea, which states “that education should influence people’s lives beyond the boundaries of the classroom.” Business Badgers Give Back is one of our biggest opportunities to put that idea into action. I also love that we’re able to get to know people outside the university. This event showcases that Wisconsin wants business leaders to be more than working professionals; they need to be well-rounded people doing good work in the world.”
Maija Inveiss, Wisconsin School of Business

 

“My favorite MBA tradition would have to be Voices. Voices is a weekly event where SOM students and community members are able to share personal stories about themselves in an off-the-record, no-recording-allowed space. I have done this event twice now, and I have to say that it is one of the things that I will cherish the most about SOM. Voices allows you to learn about the many sides of your classes. Whether it be sharing a tragedy, learning about their family history, or just learning about why they are the way that they are, Voices allows students to let their guard down and be vulnerable. This event humanizes students and allows us to forget, just for one moment, about homework, networking, and all of the other dealings that a business student must accomplish. Voices allows for us to truly be seen and heard.”
MiChaela Barker, Yale School of Management

 

“The Internship Fund Auction is fantastic. Each spring, faculty, staff, and fellow students donate an experience, skill, or item to raise funds for students pursuing internships in the social sector. Last year, there were frisbee and tennis lessons, fine dining culinary experiences, boat trips, and countless outings with professors. My group won dinner and board games with Professor Lesley Meng. She welcomed us into her home, and we spent a delightful evening eating pizza, playing with her dogs, and trading tales from the student and faculty experiences within Evans Hall. We had such a good time we forgot to play board games!”
Ellie Wachtel, Yale School of Management

 

DON’T MISS:

100 BEST & BRIGHTEST MBAS OF 2024

MBAS TO WATCH: CLASS OF 2024

THE BEST CITIES FOR MBAS

20 BIGGEST SURPRISES FOR FIRST-YEAR MBAS

THE BIGGEST REGRETS OF MBA GRADUATES

THE FAVORITE COURSES OF MBAS

BIGGEST MYTHS ABOUT YOUR FAVORITE MBA PROGRAMS