support@accepted.com
Get Your Free Consultation!

Which program are you applying to?

  • - Select a program -
  • MBA/EMBA
  • Law School
  • Grad School, PhD
  • MD/DO, Residency
  • Other Healthcare Programs
  • College
  • About Accepted
    • About us
      • The Accepted Advantage
      • Clients Accepted At
      • In The News
    • Client Feedback
    • Contact Us
  • Meet the Team
    • MBA Admissions Consultants
    • Med School Admissions Consultants
    • Grad School Admissions Consultants
    • Law School Admissions Consultants
    • College Admissions Consultants
  • Free Resources
    • MBA
      • Free Guides
      • Selectivity Index
      • Sample Essays
      • Essay Tips
      • MBA Podcast Episodes
      • MBA Deadlines
    • Med School
      • Free Guides
      • Selectivity Index
      • Sample Essays
      • Essay Tips
      • Med School Podcast Episodes
    • Healthcare Programs
      • Free Guides
      • Admissions Straight Talk Podcast for Healthcare Applicants
    • Grad School
      • Free Guides
      • Sample Essays
      • Grad School Podcast Episodes
    • Law School
      • Free Guides
      • Selectivity Index
      • Sample Essays
      • Law School Podcast Episodes
    • College
      • Free Guides
      • Sample Essays
      • Admissions Straight Talk Podcast for College Applicants
  • Services
    • MBA
      • Complete Packages
      • Essay Editing
      • Resume Services
      • Interview Prep
      • MORE
    • Med School
      • Premed Packages
      • Primary App Packages
      • Secondary App Packages
      • Essay Editing
      • Interview Prep
      • MORE
    • Healthcare
      • Postbac Packages
      • MPH Packages
      • NursingCAS Packages
      • PharmD Packages
      • Essay Editing
      • MORE
    • Grad School
      • Complete Packages
      • PhD Packages
      • Essay Editing
      • CV/Resume Assistance
      • MORE
    • Law School
      • Complete Packages
      • Essay Editing
      • Interview Prep
      • MORE
    • College
      • Complete Packages
      • Common App Package
      • Essay Editing
      • MORE
  • Blog
    • MBA Blog Posts
    • Medical School Blog Posts
    • Other Healthcare Blog Posts
    • Grad School Blog Posts
    • Law School Blog Posts
    • College Blog Posts
    • Admissions Straight Talk Podcast
Accepted

Accepted Admissions Blog

Everything you need to know to get Accepted

December 24, 2017

Reading Time: 2 minutes

The MBA, a Military Background, and Expectations

Do MBA applicants with military backgrounds have an advantage?
Do MBA applicants with military backgrounds have an advantage?

The Wall Street Journal recently ran an article entitled “MBAs Attract Current and Former Soldiers.”  Like many such articles I’ve read in my decade of MBA admissions consulting, it promotes the benefits of business schools to former military personnel and vice versa, so no surprises there.  However, I did find the reaction posted by readers interesting.

The comments centered on what happens to former military personnel after they receive their MBA and enter the business world (which was not a focus of the article).  Most said the article painted too rosy a picture for veterans about the benefits of business school: one “did not see [his] military experience as either helpful or harmful,” another pointed out that a military background proves no guarantee of leadership ability in the corporate world, and a third stated that “in most first jobs post MBA, you start as a lowly associate, not leading hundreds, or even a couple.”  Others took issue with the values of corporate America, wondering why it “has a hard time understanding how to use ex-military people” and “can’t figure out a way to tap our strength of making decisions in uncertainty.”

I want to make two quick points in response.  First—and more to the theme of the article—military experience does help candidates get into business school.  Military personnel hold positions of high responsibility and leadership earlier than most people, and they develop a strong sense of discipline and teamwork as well, giving them traits sought by all business schools.  Military service is definitely a plus for MBA applicants; no doubt it played a role in my own acceptance to MIT Sloan.

But that “plus” does not mean that veterans are going to receive any special treatment once they reach business school or the corporate world after.  That’s my second point.  Business school students—whether they fought an enemy to win for their country, or fought a technology competitor to win a larger market share, or fought a government to win justice for its impoverished, or fought a rival investment firm to win a client’s business—all come from unique backgrounds and all bring their own strengths to bear on their new environment.  Every one of them, placed in business school and then in the corporate world after, must adapt and overcome; they must prove themselves once again; there is no entitlement.  Military experience will give some advantages in making this adjustment, but that experience is no guarantee.

AcceptedFor 25 years, Accepted has helped business school applicants gain acceptance to top programs. Our outstanding team of MBA admissions consultants features former business school admissions directors and professional writers who have guided our clients to admission at top MBA, EMBA, and other graduate business programs worldwide including Harvard, Stanford, Wharton, Booth, INSEAD, London Business School, and many more. Want an MBA admissions expert to help you get Accepted? Click here to get in touch!

From Example to Exemplary - Download your guide today!

Article by Accepted / MBA Admissions / military applicants

Get Accepted!

Sign up for a free consultation today!

Which program are you applying to?

Blog Categories

  • Admissions Consulting
  • Admissions Straight Talk Podcast
  • College Admissions
  • Grad School Admissions
  • Law School Admissions
  • MBA Admissions
  • Medical School Admissions
  • Other Healthcare Admissions
  • Uncategorized

Most Popular Blog Posts

1. 7 Simple Steps to Writing an Excellent Diversity Essay

2. 4 Ways to Show How You’ll Contribute in the Future

3. How to Write About Your Research Interests

4. Tips for Answering the Yale University Supplemental Essays and Short Answer Questions [2022-2023]

5. When Will Medical Schools Give You an Answer?

6. Sample Essays from Admitted HBS Students

7. Tips for Answering the University of Pennsylvania Supplemental Essay Prompts [2022-2023]

8. Top STEM MBA Programs: A Comprehensive List and Overview of STEM-OPT Eligible B-Schools

Sample Essays

MBA Personal Statement Examples

Medical School Personal Statement Examples

Graduate School Personal Statement Examples

Law School Personal Statement Examples

College Application Essay Examples

 

Home Page Services and Prices MBA Med School Law School Grad School College

About Us Press Room Contact Us Podcast Accepted Blog
Privacy Policy Website Terms of Use Disclaimer Client Terms of Service

Accepted 1171 S. Robertson Blvd. #140 Los Angeles CA 90035 +1 (310) 815-9553
© 2022 Accepted

BBB A+ RatingStamp of AIGAC Excellence

Copyright © 2023 · Education Pro Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in