The Fallacy of HSW or Bust: Your Success Isn't Determined by Prestige
Every application season, we see amazing candidates pin their entire MBA application strategy on getting into Harvard, Stanford, or Wharton. When rejections arrive, they're devastated and convinced their career prospects are doomed.
This "HSW or bust" mentality isn't just emotionally crushing – it's deeply flawed.
The brutal reality of M7 admissions
Harvard and Stanford reject exceptional candidates every single year, with acceptance rates hovering between 6-9%. For every available spot, there are dozens of qualified applicants who could succeed in the program.
To be clear, I'm not suggesting that you forego applying to these programs. They're fantastic launchpads for your career. However, they're not the only programs that will help you achieve your goals.
The reality is that MBA admissions committees aren't always selecting the "best" candidates. Instead, they're building a diverse class with specific targets across demographics, professional careers, etc. As a result, a rejection says absolutely nothing about the quality of your application OR your potential. It simply means you didn't fit in with that particular year's class composition.
You can be successful at any top MBA program
I mention all of this to encourage you to widen your aperture and consider programs outside of HSW and the M7.
This may surprise you, but C-suite execs, entrepreneurs, and even partners at MBB firms attended a variety of MBA programs (or none at all).
In the end, what made a difference in their careers wasn't the name of their program. It's what they did with their opportunities.
The MBA is a tool, not a trophy
At its core, an MBA degree is a tool for career transformation, not a trophy. At any top program – whether it's ranked #5 or #25 – you can:
- Build a powerful professional network
- Learn from world-class faculty
- Access incredible recruiting opportunities
- Develop the skills and confidence to transform your career
The key word here is "you." Success depends on how you proactively leverage the resources at your program, not ride the wave of its ranking.
What's a smart application strategy?
Instead of "HSW or bust," consider the "best fit for my goals."
Ask yourself:
- Which programs will truly advance my career in my function and industry?
- Which programs have the best alumni networks in my target industry?
- Which schools are most likely to offer me scholarship money?
- Where will I be a valued, standout candidate rather than just another admit?
You may well find that a program ranked #15 with a 50% scholarship and strong industry connections serves your goals better than paying full price at a program ranked #3.
Just last season, one of my clients with a perfect GPA and exceptional GRE score decided to forego an M7 admit for a full ride at a T20 program. That program really wanted him – and it showed. In the end, the choice made a whole lot more sense for what he was trying to achieve – with zero debt.
Five years later....
After graduation, nobody cares where you went to b-school. They care about:
- The problems you've solved
- The value you've created
- The results you've delivered
- The impact you've made
Your MBA opens doors, but you still have to walk through them. Ultimately, a motivated MBA grad from Georgetown or Rice can out-perform a checked-out M7 grad who coasts on prestige alone.
Finding the #1 program for YOU
The best MBA program for you is one that:
- Wants you as much as you want it
- Aligns with your specific career goals
- Offers you the resources and support to thrive
- Provides a strong ROI
If you get dinged from HSW, you're far from doomed. You're simply being redirected toward a program that might actually be a better fit for your goals and circumstances.
Your future success isn't determined by an "M7 or bust" mentality... but by what you do when you get there. Choose the program that gives you the best launchpad to do something great!
