ICON+

When I think back to my sophomore year of high school (secondary 4 in Singapore-speak), my mind flutters. I look back and find: dusty images of ancient Egyptian history, late night cram sessions until 4:00 am; fierce competition within close friendships – and, most of all – a blinding obsession with the Harvard brand.

There’s nothing wrong with Harvard. Or U Penn, or London Business School, or any one of the world’s famous academic institutions. The students at these schools have amazing talents, the teaching and research facilities are ingenious, and of course the networking opportunities are top notch.

I’ll even admit this: Harvard’s crimson sweaters are pretty snazzy. Actually, there are so many things right with these prestigious institutions that I can’t possibly do them justice here.

But a decade later, I find myself in question:

Why was I so hypnotized by the Harvard brand that I turned my snobby nose up at the other 4,000+ colleges and universities in the US? Why did I drastically limit my social life, physical activity, and leisure in order to look perfect on paper? Was getting into Harvard and only Harvard more important than my health and happiness?

Many of you have perused university rankings such as those provided by Financial Times or Business Week. Which institutions’ alumni have the highest starting salaries? Which schools graduate classes with the greatest international mobility? What about up-and-coming programs? Rankings address these questions and many more.

As an admissions consultant, I appreciate rankings for their informational value; they help to narrow down students’ school lists. I frequently use them as a basis for recommending specific b-schools to specific students. 

But I become concerned when students walk into the office, proclaiming that they will “only apply to the top 10 b-schools in the rankings, top 10 mind you!” To these students, the Business Week rankings are no longer just sources of information. Instead, they become Bibles (or Korans, or other definitive religious texts). Rather than expending effort to explore their personal interests and abilities, and find matching institutions that will help their unique dreams come true, these students only focus on what others tell them is worthwhile.

Here’s some advice from someone who’s been in your shoes. Apply to an institution because it is the right one for you. Highly ranked, brand name b-schools are wonderful because they are known for providing an education of exceptional quality as well as giving graduates a significant leg-up in their career pathways. They do not determine your worth as a human being; only you can do that.

Start your program search with a “soul search”. Here are a few questions to get you started:

• What accomplishments are you most proud of? What are you passionate about? If you don’t know, what do you think you could become passionate about?
• How much money and time are you willing to put into an MBA?
• What do you hope to be doing after graduation? Are graduates successful in obtaining the types of jobs you are attracted to? Do you feel confident in and comfortable with the career placement services offered?
• Would you be happier surrounded by the unlimited cultural and entertainment offerings of a chaotic urban center, or do you require peaceful, natural surroundings to concentrate on your program?
• Are you a self-driven student who can confidently navigate a larger program, or would you perform better with the more personalized attention from faculty and staff at a smaller school?

Authoring information:

Natsuko Tohyama is a University Admissions Counselor for ICON+. She had a fantastic college experience at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and went on to receive her master’s degree from Bowling Green State University. Her work experiences span international student services, exchange programs, career and academic counseling, residence life, student programming, and of course, admissions.