Haas School of Business.Photo Copyright Noah Berger / 2023. Campus shots at Haas.
Myth: Haas’s smaller class size might suggest a lack of the breadth of opportunities found in larger MBA programs.
Reality: “Before arriving, I wondered whether its size would limit my ability to explore diverse industries or build a global network. However, my experience proved the opposite—Haas thrives on its intimate, high-impact environment, where students take ownership of their learning and actively create opportunities for one another.
Beyond the Full-time MBA cohort, we seamlessly collaborate with Evening & Weekend MBA students, effectively doubling our network, while the Executive MBA program further expands our reach through shared events and engagements across campus. Coupled with access to the broader Berkeley ecosystem, I was able to take courses across different disciplines and participate in cross-program initiatives that enriched my learning experience. The tight-knit Haas community fosters deep, meaningful relationships, and its highly engaged alumni network has been both powerful and accessible.
Far from being limiting, the size of Haas made my experience more personal, dynamic and globally expansive than I ever expected.”
Ann C. Ukadike, UC Berkeley (Haas)
Myth: People often think that UC Davis has cows and turkeys roaming the campus streets.
Reality: “This is partially true since the cows are in the campus ranches and there are flocks of wild turkeys that turn heads! UC Davis does have its roots as the University of California’s original farm and is internationally known for its research in agriculture and food sciences. However, today UC Davis is the most comprehensive UC campus. It is a top-tier research university ranked among the top 5 public universities in the U.S. and the greenest university in the nation. What truly sets UC Davis apart are the coordinated programs, resources, and networks that encourage entrepreneurship and foster the commercialization of groundbreaking research into sustainable businesses. The UC Davis Graduate School of Management, which is home to the UC Davis Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, plays a crucial role by providing the business expertise and leadership talent needed to support and sustain these innovations, which address some of the world’s biggest challenges.”
Minhua Zhu, UC Davis
Myth: Merage is a smaller school, so we don’t receive as many opportunities as the larger Southern California schools.
Reality: “I found that the close-knit community at Merage actually fosters more personalized and meaningful opportunities. The smaller class sizes allowed for stronger connections with professors, career advisors, alumni, and peers, leading to tailored career advice, alumni mentorship, and networking opportunities that might be harder to come by at larger institutions. Far from limiting opportunities, the intimate environment at Merage amplified my ability to connect with influential individuals and pursue my career goals.”
Skyler Meador, UC Irvine (Merage)
Myth: The ‘Sharing Success’ pillar is just marketing promotion.
Reality: “Before coming to Anderson, I thought Sharing Success was just something the school said to sound collaborative. Every MBA program claims to have a supportive culture. In the end, recruiting and academics are competitive, so I assumed people would mostly look out for themselves. I could not have been more wrong!
I realized pretty quickly that Sharing Success at Anderson isn’t just our motto. It is how things actually work here. During recruiting, second years in Tech ACT spent hours helping first-years prepare for interviews, even when they had nothing to gain from it. As AnderTech President, I saw students openly share insights and job leads instead of keeping them to themselves. And when I interned at Apple, I met MBA interns from other top programs who told me their classmates were cutthroat and backstabbing. That just wasn’t my experience at Anderson.
What makes this culture different is that people here genuinely want to see each other succeed. Not because they have to, but because someone once helped them, and now they want to pay it forward. It’s the kind of environment that pushes you to do better, not just for yourself, but for the people around you.”
Sebastian Esselens, UCLA (Anderson)
Myth: Marshall is primarily an entertainment-focused school.
Reality: “While Marshall has a strong presence in that space, my experience showed me that its reach extends far beyond. From consulting and healthcare to tech and startups, the opportunities are wide-ranging if you are willing to explore and take initiative. I came in with a tech background and was able to deepen my strategic skill set, lead cross-functional initiatives, and compete in national case competitions. What stood out was how supportive the ecosystem is. The faculty, alumni, and student community encourage you to carve your path, no matter the industry. Marshall is not just about where it is located, but about what you choose to make of your time here.”
Raghav Mahajan, USC (Marshall)
Myth: Owen’s smaller class size limits academic, recruiting, and extracurricular opportunities.
Reality: “I’ve found the opposite to be true. Academically, Owen offers a broad curriculum, and the mod system allows students to explore dozens of electives. The close-knit community also enables students to tailor their learning through various opportunities such as independent studies with faculty. In recruiting, while the alumni network may be smaller, it is remarkably engaged. I personally heard back from every alumnus that I reached out to during my recruiting process, and many continued providing guidance even after my recruiting process ended. Similarly, in extracurriculars, there are numerous clubs. If something does not exist, Owen’s supportive culture makes it easy to start one. Ultimately, the small class size does not limit opportunities, but rather it enhances them by making learning, recruiting, and leadership experiences more personalized and accessible.”
Robert Rickard, Vanderbilt University (Owen)
Myth: Being southern, Vanderbilt is homogenous.
Reality: “That was absolutely not my experience. I learned alongside so many different people, from those who played in the NFL to nurses, from students who were “Double ‘Dores” (meaning they got their undergraduate and graduate degrees from Vanderbilt), to students who just moved to Nashville from Nigeria. This environment was perfect for an MBA program, since so much of the most productive learning can center around other students’ experiences.”
Helen Fox, Vanderbilt University (Fox)
Myth: The case method is overwhelmingly intense.
Reality: “It’s true that Darden’s case method is academically demanding, requiring careful preparation and strong analytical skills. However, what often gets overlooked is the highly collaborative nature of the classroom. Students don’t navigate cases alone—they bring diverse perspectives, whether as subject matter experts or by asking insightful questions, all with the shared goal of deepening understanding. The case method encourages teamwork, critical thinking, and real-world problem-solving while preparing students for authentic workplace settings.”
Jill Howland, University of Virginia (Darden)
Myth: The Foster School is all about Microsoft, Amazon, and Boeing.
Reality: “It’s not: Foster is really all about Seattle and Portland, and we happen to have some huge employers in town. If you want to build a life here in the Pacific Northwest, then this is the school for you—UW is a big school woven into a big city, and being a grad student here doesn’t define your lifestyle the way it might in a college town. I feel like I’ve become a Seattleite first and a Husky second—and I mean that in a good way—I do my homework at the Bouldering Project and have club meetings at local diners and commute to class on a bike path with hundreds of strangers going all over town…not just campus.
Aaron Altabet, University of Washington (Foster)
Myth: Washington University is too small to attract employers.
Reality: “WashU Olin Business School’s smaller cohort defies the myth that it limits networking and career opportunities—in fact, it enhances both. With around 80-100 students per class, the intimate size fosters stronger relationships among students, faculty, and alumni, creating a close-knit community that offers personalized attention and easier access to professors and career support. This collaborative environment provides more leadership opportunities, hands-on projects, and direct industry interactions, ensuring that every student has the chance to make a meaningful impact. As one alum put it, “You are front-and-center every day,” and “people know you by name and story.” On top of that, the strong alumni network has helped me connect with many who are passionate advocates, working to open doors of opportunities for all of us.”
Arpit Arya, Washington University (Olin)
Myth: Grades don’t matter.
Reality: “Technically, it’s true—Wharton has grade non-disclosure. However, that doesn’t mean people take it easy. Whether it’s launching startups, leading clubs, or training like professional boxers for Fight Night, Wharton students push themselves to the max—not because they have to, but because they genuinely want to. The drive here is real, and it shows up in every possible way (even if our GPAs remain one of Wharton’s best-kept secrets).”
Mallika Patkar, Wharton School
Myth: The SOM class is disproportionately composed of students pursuing careers in the nonprofit or public sectors.
Reality: “While the school has a rich history of alumni who have excelled in these fields—such as Daniel Weiss (MBA ’85), former President and CEO of the Met, and Ned Lamont (MBA ’80), the incumbent Governor of Connecticut—many SOM graduates have also built remarkable careers as entrepreneurs and executives in the private sector. Notable examples include Indra Nooyi (MBA ’80), former Chairman and CEO of PepsiCo; Seth Goldman (MBA ’95), founder of Honest Tea and former Executive Chairman of Beyond Meat; and Gina Rosselli Boswell (MBA ’89), CEO of Bath & Body Works.
The reality is that SOM attracts a diverse cohort of students, each committed to making a positive impact across industries and functions. While career paths vary widely, SOM students are all driven by a shared passion for making a difference.”
Nico Pedreira, Yale School of Management
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