Favorite Traditions & Events At Top Business Schools

“The Bus. It has to be The Bus. Every business school in the country has several unique experiences and traditions. Still, you would be hard-pressed to find a tradition where 1,000+ MBA students are welcome, regardless of their scholastic standing or social connections, and can instantly find a friend to sing Mr. Brightside with before a Michigan football game. We would like to say Michigan is the #1 MBA program in the country since no other MBA program has a recent national football championship to its name (aside from that school down south), and The Bus really solidifies its reputation.

I’m aggressively focused on the football aspect. Still, I was also the host for a recent Business Beyond Usual episode where Grant Potts, Macey Guthery, and Tyler Ringler (presidents of The Bus and the Michigan Business Students’ Association) perfectly described what The Bus means to Ross: Every school has their unique traditions, but no other school has a tradition like Ross, where the tradition is run by students, for students, at scale, with no rules on who is invited to the party or who you will meet.”
Mark O’Connell, University of Michigan (Ross)

“My favorite MBA tradition at business school, reflecting our community’s resilience and camaraderie, is the Luminary Loppet. As a Wisconsinite now living in Minnesota, I’m accustomed to the long, cold winters. With several months of the year averaging below-freezing temperatures, embracing the chilly outdoors becomes a necessity. The Luminary Loppet is a delightful winter festival where participants brave the cold to walk or cross-country ski along a candlelit trail on a frozen lake, adorned with beautiful luminaries and ice sculptures. The trail ends with an outdoor concert surrounded by campfires and food trucks, creating a festive and warm atmosphere despite the freezing conditions. Organized by one of our MBA clubs, the event starts at the home of a student living near the lakes, where we gather for snacks and warm beverages before bundling up for the adventure. This tradition not only showcases our ability to enjoy the harsh Minnesota winters, but also reflects the spirit of unity and enjoyment inherent in our business school culture.”
Emily Oates, University of Minnesota (Carlson)

“My favorite MIT Sloan tradition is the MIT Sloan Yarn, a storytelling event where students share the most intimate and defining moments of their lives. Before Sloan, I had heard about its tight-knit and inclusive culture. Still, it was not until I sat in a dimly-lit room listening to classmates lay bare their fears, struggles, and triumphs that I truly understood what makes this community different.​

One-by-one, people stepped forward to speak about loss, cancer, imposter syndrome, religion, and joy—each story a testament to our shared humanity. For a moment, titles and achievements faded away, replaced by a profound sense of connection. We weren’t just future consultants, entrepreneurs, or investors—we were people leaning on one another and finding comfort in knowing we weren’t alone.​

The Yarn isn’t just an event; it’s a cherished Sloan tradition that embodies our values of belonging, openness, and respect. It reflects what makes Sloan unique—not just as a business school, but as a place where leadership is built on authenticity, emotional intelligence, and deep human connection.​

It was in those stories that I found not just classmates, but family—and a deeper understanding of what leadership truly means.”Toritse David Maroh, MIT (Sloan)

“Every year about a week into the fall semester, the Martin Trust Center for MIT Entrepreneurship puts on Demo Day, the showcase for the student accelerator program delta-V (as in, escape velocity), and it is just so comically over-the-top and perfectly MIT. What other school would have a drumline, cheerleaders, and an appearance from the university president for an entrepreneurship showcase? It highlights how seriously the school takes entrepreneurship and how un-seriously it takes itself. Plus, it’s inspiring to see your classmates get on stage and pitch some truly awesome companies.”
Blake Blaze, MIT (Sloan)

“One of the proudest traditions at NBS is our flagship annual event—the MBA Olympics. The opening ceremony featured a lively aerobics performance by NTU, a pep talk from our Dean, and our very own mascot running amok—much to everyone’s delight. With over 300 participants from our fellow business schools in Singapore – INSEAD, ESSEC and NUS – it was an energetic day with 15 different sports events spanning the entire day. But beyond the competitive spirit, it is about interacting and building bonds with fellow business school students to build a pan-MBA community.

But it’s not just the students playing in our Olympics. Even the Deans and heads of departments of the schools had a go at the Dean’s race and it was a pretty close call amongst all the schools!

Nevertheless, behind the fun-filled day, there is four months of intensive preparation led by our student committee — from team practices and logistics planning to sponsorship acquisition, media promotion, and event coordination. Despite the tireless days, I was honored to be in the organizing committee, ensuring a pleasant and memorable experience for all on the day of the Olympics.

Beyond the competition, our MBA Olympics is a celebration of cultural diversity, camaraderie and excellent sportsmanship. With spirited cheers from across the arena, students from different programs brought their team spirit while also building lasting friendships over shared meals and games. The team spirit was so high that one of our classmates actually broke a leg trying to win us a medal and the rest of the team honoured his dedication by winning a medal on his behalf.
Ashwin Charles, Nanyang Business School

“My favorite tradition was the Beer Bash, an annual event hosted by Professor Jo Seung-gyu. I like to say he’s a “two-hands economist”: on one hand, he’s all about rigorous analysis; on the other, he knows how to have fun. Each year, he invited the entire cohort for a night of (plenty of) beer and relaxed conversation across different sections (though if you don’t drink, that’s perfectly fine too). It was a laid-back yet invaluable way to connect with classmates, share stories, and recharge before tackling the more challenging parts of his course. The Beer Bash remains a highlight of the MBA experience, reminding us that sometimes the best lessons happen outside the classroom.”
Jade Khuong, National University of Singapore

“Passport Day stands as my favorite tradition at Stern. It is truly the most joyful event on campus! During this celebration, my peers enthusiastically share their heritage as they serve traditional foods from their home countries, wear cultural attire, and perform traditional dances.

Last year, I had the pleasure of joining fellow Puerto Rican students to share our beloved cuisine, and this year, I’m excited to organize a salsa dance performance. This vibrant tradition beautifully reflects the Stern community’s commitment to unity and cultural celebration, allowing us to honor what matters most to our fellow students through food, dance, and festivities. By experiencing these diverse cultural expressions, we become more inclusive leaders who appreciate and understand different perspectives.”
Adrianna Tomasello, New York University (Stern)

“If I were to name one favorite event at UNC Kenan-Flagler it has to be Songfest! It is an event that perfectly embodies the school’s strong sense of community and camaraderie. Songfest brings together students from different legacies (UNC Kenan-Flagler’s section groups) for a night filled with music, dance, and high-energy performances. While each legacy competes with its own creative routine, what makes this event special is the overwhelming support and encouragement that flows across all groups.

Despite the competitive element, Songfest is less about winning and more about celebrating each other. Whether someone is showcasing their dance moves or simply having fun on stage, the crowd is always cheering, laughing, and singing along. It’s a reminder that, at UNC Kenan-Flagler, we lift each other up—no matter what legacy we belong to. Beyond the fun, Songfest reflects the culture of inclusivity, collaboration, and shared experiences that define the UNC Kenan-Flagler MBA. It’s a night where everyone steps outside their comfort zones, bonds with classmates, and strengthens friendships that go far beyond the event itself. The energy, the spirit, and the unity of Songfest make it one of the most memorable events of business school.”
Bhumika Agarwal, University of North Carolina (Kenan-Flagler)

“The Special K! Show was hands-down my favorite Kellogg tradition—a wildly entertaining musical comedy show that perfectly captured the school’s fun, collaborative spirit. As the orchestra conductor (yes, we have an orchestra of talented MBA musicians at Kellogg), I rediscovered my passion for baton-wielding in a completely unexpected setting. Leading a team through originally arranged songs and skits that humorously captured life at Kellogg was both exhilarating and deeply meaningful. What made it truly special was witnessing our entire community unite: students writing scripts, designing sets, marketing the show, and performing side-by-side; faculty cheering us on or making a cameo; and alumni returning to share their own Special K! memories (our assistant dean was even part of the show back in the ’90s!). This longstanding tradition not only celebrated our unique Kellogg bond, but also taught me more about teamwork and creative problem-solving than any case study ever could. This left me with unforgettable memories of laughter, camaraderie, and some truly epic performances on stage!”
Will Tan, Northwestern University (Kellogg)

“KWEST. Many business schools do a trip at the beginning of the year, but Kellogg’s is unique. My KWEST trip was to Kenya with 23 other new Kellogg students and JVs (joint ventures, our term for significant others). The catch? You can’t reveal personal details during the first half of the trip! No last names, undergrad alma maters, hometowns, jobs, etc. The experience forces you to bond through topics beyond the surface level, and it’s fun! About halfway through the trip, everyone reveals their details one-by-one, giving everyone a chance to guess (everyone on my KWEST thought I was from Chicago, and no one guessed Boston). You come out of this experience with a deeper connection to your new friends than if you had gone on a regular trip. Does it work? Ask my 23 new friends!”
Amir Parikh, Northwestern University (Kellogg)

“A Climate Bootcamp was held for the entire cohort during the MBA program’s induction period. Through workshops and keynote speeches, this event introduced concepts at the intersection of climate and business to 348 students at the very start of their MBA degree and allowed those of us from the sustainability world to engage in broader conversations with others who were unfamiliar with this space.

The business school could have selected any subject to focus on during the induction period, but the fact that they chose the natural environment told me very early on that I made the right choice to come to Oxford.”
Jose F. C. Hong, University of Oxford (Saïd)

“The tradition of the MBA class organizing weekly Thursday outings and events was an incredibly valuable part of my MBA experience. Throughout the year, we did so many different types of events, from athletic outings like pickleball or axe throwing, to dinner at one of the many restaurants in Kingston, to karaoke nights. Not only was the tradition an effective stress reliever, it was also an enjoyable way to get to know my classmates better. The Thursday Night Socials go a long way in fostering the tight-knit and collaborative culture that makes Smith so special. No matter how busy the week was, these events gave us a chance to unwind, strengthen friendships, and build connections beyond the classroom. A sense of community developed as the year progressed. Everyone felt included within a supportive environment that carried over into academics and teamwork.

Beyond that, these events allowed us to explore so many different parts of Kingston. For classmates who weren’t from Canada, it was also a great way to experience Canadian culture—whether through dining out in Kingston, a hockey game, or even trying poutine for the first time. The variety of activities highlighted the diverse interests within our class and gave us a chance to bond in new ways. Looking back, these moments were just as valuable as the lessons learned in the classroom, shaping both my MBA experience and the relationships I will carry forward beyond Smith.”
Sydney McLennan, Queen’s University (Smith)

“My favorite MBA event at Rice is the Veterans Business Battle. VBB is a student-led competition that supports veteran entrepreneurs by giving them the opportunity to pitch their startups, secure funding and connect with mentors. VBB is exactly the experience I was looking for in an MBA program. The event not only supports the growth of veteran-owned companies, but also highlights the impact of the Houston community.”
Kyle Zarosky, Rice University (Jones)

Next Page: UC Berkeley, Virginia Darden, Wharton School, and more.

© Copyright 2025 Poets & Quants. All rights reserved. This article may not be republished, rewritten or otherwise distributed without written permission. To reprint or license this article or any content from Poets & Quants, please submit your request HERE.