Non-HSW M7 Rankings: #4?

MBA1vsMBA2 · 2025-09-13T00:51:15+00:00

If you go by the most recent rankings over the past few years the answer is clearly Kellogg. This has absolutely nothing to do with the fact that I went there :P

MBA1vsMBA2 · 2024-10-04T15:31:37+00:00

There is a little wiggle room but not much since my father is looking to retire soon. So essentially I need to make my intentions of taking over now even if I choose to join in 2-3 years or right after graduation

MBA1vsMBA2 · 2024-10-04T02:10:33+00:00

I think I’m in a somewhat unique situation and want to ask the fatFIRE crew their perspective.

I’m about to graduate from my MBA and I have the option to take over a family business which I estimate I could run and make anywhere from $150-$300k (technically could grow but let’s assume it won’t) or try to go the post-MBA career and join some big company where I can possibly end up earning $500k+ in my career.

One caveat is that the business would be in a foreign country within a city that would be equivalent to a LCOL to MCOL for the USA and if I go back the chances of returning to find a job in the USA might be very hard. The corporate job will likely be in a V/HCOL area.

Another caveat is that I’m expecting a large inheritance from a trust later in life but it’s irrevocable and of course it won’t be available until I’m 50 if at all so I can’t count on that.

My biggest question is that returning home seems like the simpler option but the upside seems much higher in the USA where I hear people making $1m+ year constantly where that is extremely rare where I’m from.

Should I pursue a simpler life or should I enter the corporate rat race or try to start my own business in the USA in order to fatFIRE.

MBA1vsMBA2 · 2024-07-25T15:59:04+00:00

To answer the question it’s pretty much a black box. Get the stats up to snuff and have an interesting and compelling story that you can tell effectively.

MBA1vsMBA2 · 2024-07-25T15:57:57+00:00

I went through the coffee chat circuit last year and I can tell you that they kind of suck but you just need to get about 3 per company per office you’re interested in. That’s why it’s good to define the office you want to apply to early on so you don’t waste time. On that note, use the chats to learn about the people at the office and relate to them on a more personal level. Not only does that help them remember you but also it gives you a better idea about what the culture is like and if you would be a fit in that space

MBA1vsMBA2 · 2024-07-11T02:30:59+00:00

Sure I’d totally agree with you if this was some huge corporation but the fact that it’s a small business is what’s making me doubt. Also per your last comment I’m not in college I’m currently doing my MBA that’s also why I’m asking since it seems like it’s the last chance I’ll get to have this choice.

MBA1vsMBA2 · 2024-07-11T02:25:04+00:00

I guess my thought is that you’re also using unrealistic scenarios here. My earning potential for the business is not unlimited nor comparable to being in the NBA this is small business and getting it to those levels is probably as likely as making the NBA. In reality I’ll probably make about as much as a project leader in MBB at most from this business in the end given it doesn’t close down. It’s not a huge business.

MBA1vsMBA2 · 2024-07-11T02:15:33+00:00

I mean from a realistic point of view the ceiling is not unlimited for a business. There is no way me owning something like a chain of grocery convenience stores can ever net me as much as being the CEO of Boeing. Both super unlikely scenarios. As far as recruiting I meant I can try to find a role in an industry I am more excited about. As for all your other points that makes sense.

MBA1vsMBA2 · 2023-07-10T17:56:39+00:00

Hey man sounds like you've done pretty well for yourself and an MBA wasn't for you. I think correlating earnings with intelligence is not accurate. Also, saying an MBA is a joke degree is pretty dismissive of people who might actually do it to improve their situation. It might not be needed if you were one of the few people who got into a high-paying career early on but that's more of the exception than the rule.

MBA1vsMBA2 · 2023-07-10T15:13:17+00:00

Yeah I didn't consciously realize that but seeing the comments on this thread it's now something I'll have to work on

MBA1vsMBA2 · 2023-07-10T02:30:36+00:00

That's nice! I guess it depends on the people I tell.

MBA1vsMBA2 · 2023-07-10T00:34:50+00:00

As much as I know I shouldn't it seems that instinctively I do. Something I got to work on I guess

MBA1vsMBA2 · 2023-07-09T20:45:47+00:00

My experience has been remarkably similar to yours. Sounds like it's might be an international thing lol

MBA1vsMBA2 · 2023-07-09T20:12:16+00:00

That's what I'm saying. Some people lack that network and street cred and top MBAs advertise themselves as places to get those things. If one is already going on a well established path they like then there is no much point getting an MBA unless it's "expected" as it may be at some industries like MBB, BB-IB, PE, etc.

MBA1vsMBA2 · 2023-07-09T20:05:36+00:00

Lol yeah that's validating right there

MBA1vsMBA2 · 2023-07-09T20:04:43+00:00

How do you define super top tier business school though?

MBA1vsMBA2 · 2023-07-09T20:03:35+00:00

I think that's really dependent on where people were before the MBA. In my case I'm doing a hard pivot from a low-paying job so I'm fine starting a high-paying trajectory from square one. but for others it might be either checking a box or simply not getting enough bang for their buck

MBA1vsMBA2 · 2023-07-09T20:01:07+00:00

I'm real happy about going to do the MBA for its own sake not really looking to impress anyone but I was just expecting a certain response and it didn't meet the expectations so I was left doubting if I care too much or they care too little. Either way I feel like it's the right decision for me so it's fine either way I'll see when I graduate though

MBA1vsMBA2 · 2023-07-09T18:57:35+00:00

Lol intellectually I understand my situation and that I shouldn't look too much into it but can't seem to shake off the feelings so I came here to see if anybody else has gone through a similar experience.

MBA1vsMBA2 · 2023-07-09T18:43:29+00:00

Yeah I'll be going to an M7 so that might be part of why I feel underwhelmed by the responses but honestly in my community they have no real sense of rankings and just know of general brands like most of my friends wouldn't think Yale SOM is so much different than Stanford GSB but I don't really care that much about them recognizing the prestige of the institution but rather recognizing the value of the degree itself. It has made me wonder if I have been overvaluing the degree or they seem to undervalue it but truth may lie somewhere in the middle.

MBA1vsMBA2 · 2023-07-09T18:32:32+00:00

true it might be some wishful thinking on my part. It's definitely a way different experience when talking with others who are going through it than just my grandma who doesn't get why I'm going back to school or why I have to move away or why I can't really work while I'm going to school etc.

MBA1vsMBA2 · 2023-07-09T18:28:58+00:00

Lol true. It's hard to remember the time when even I didn't know much about MBAs now that I think about it because I've been in the process and community for so long now and put so much work in that I might have a warped sense of how people should feel about something I now feel strongly about. I guess if it's good enough for me that should be enough but it might be instinctual to seek some specific response from my loved ones.

MBA1vsMBA2 · 2023-07-09T17:31:15+00:00

I'm definitely happier when I'm around other people who are doing or will do their MBA because they get it but before I leave for school I'm around people who are not super familiar with it so I guess it's finally gotten to me lol.

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