Comments on: HBS versus Wharton for Entrepreneurs

By: Sandeep

Sandeep — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 05:40:54 +0000

I am currently looking at enrolling for the GMP program at HBS.

Am at middle management and have very good finance background. My criterion for this course are (a) to help transition into general management; and (b) to better my future prospects by leveraging the HBS alumni network.

Any insight or guidance around my decision would be really appreciated.

Thanks, Sandeep.

By: Rama Raju

Rama Raju — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 23:15:43 +0000

I have attended executive education programs in both schools, so I have experienced the faculty in both. In my opinion, Wharton has better faculty that can teach better. Of course, they have an edge in Finance, but their Marketing faculty is better than that of Harvard.

Wharton do not have the same brand equity that Harvard enjoys, so i uges they have to work harder to earn the respect of students.

By: sanjay

sanjay — Thu, 16 Jun 2011 03:15:08 +0000

None can contend the curriculum of HBS, WHARTON,STAN,MIT,CHIC,DART,KELL(LBS,OX,CAMB). These are the only handful schools which can catapult you to greatness. And the stipends alone are staggering, even while studying.None of the european schools come close to the pay packages, that these school guys get( even insead). There is no point in spending 100k, if you want to get 80k salary job the way it is happening in europe. You rather blow 150k and get 250-500k package from the above top mentioned school and not to mention the awww factor( you are in a bar and girl asks, what are you doing? I am at harvard and next thing you know is she is in your room!)
If money is not the problem and if you get admission in to these elite schools , you got to go there(26-32 super age!) harvard mba is the greatest degree in the world, both for its prestige, commercial and social value. please check their recruitment stats even when the whole world is sinking( none of the other pro degrees medicals,lawyers are anywhere close here even from the same schools!).
enough said…

By: sanjay

sanjay — Thu, 16 Jun 2011 03:06:34 +0000

reputation of the university is pivotal! None can contend the curriculum of HBS, WHARTON,STAN,MIT,CHIC,DART,KELL(LBS,OX,CAMB). These are the only handful schools which can catapult you to greatness the stipends alone are staggering even while studying none of the european schools come close the pay packages that these school guys get( even insead). There is no point in spending 100k if you want to get 80k salary job the way it is happening in europe. You rather blow 150k and get 250-500k package from wharton or harvard and not to mention the awww. factor. If money is not the problem and if you get admission in these top brands you got to get there! harvard mba is the greatest degree in the world, both for its prestige, commercial and social value. please check their recruitment stats!
enough said…

By: KC

KC — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 04:04:45 +0000

If you are debating this issue then you fail to get it. The fact is most MBAs will be working for an entrepreneur. The typical MBA is a highly motivated, analytical ‘A’ student. The typical entrepreneur is a typical “C” student, “big picture” person who can take an idea and create a business from nothing to something. He hires MBAs to take it to the next level. The odds that these two skills sets match the same person is a million to one.

I have been asked by MBAs, Wall Street bankers etc. ‘how do you know this or that?’ It wasn’t from my MBA, although this provides the fundamental tools, it was from street smarts… and you only get that by being in the game. An entrepreneur risks his/her capital so you must know how or learn quick. Many of the issues that you will encounter will not be covered in your MBA curriculum. Most of these classes are taught by academics with little or no real world experience. They are under pressure to publish and raise funds not run a business.

To be the best CEO, in my opinion, you must first be a good leader, be able to encourage others and share your vision. You must be a crusader for your product or service and be a good read of people.

An MBA is not necessarily the ticket to entrepreneurial success. In fact, if I had to choose I would take someone with street smarts over the degree because they have the entrepreneurial skills whereas the MBA has the tools and skills to manage the business once it is established.

By: farrukh

farrukh — Thu, 26 May 2011 11:58:52 +0000

Finance gives you the sense to make something out of nothing. Totally agree with your answer and thanks for making this blog because a lot of people (like me) get valuable insights on how things go in HBS. Keep it up and God Bless You.

Farrukh Lahore Pakistan

By: admin

admin — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 13:05:42 +0000

Dave,

If you’re already in middle-management, it’s more common to pursue an Executive Education degree. These programs provide similar tools, with the advantage of not requiring you to leave your job, but at the expense of not being as intense and experience.

By: dave

dave — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 07:04:18 +0000

Are there others who have quit their middle-management jobs elsewhere in the world and took the break (quit their jobs) to pursue higher studies (read a full-time MBA) ?
The reason for a Wharton/HBS MBA : the expectation that I would be able to equip myself with tools that can help me explore ’starting a business’ / get a deeper understanding of finance management.

By: Zac

Zac — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 13:49:56 +0000

Age : 34 years

Work exp : 12 + years (currently working at a bank in Dubai, UAE)

Married / with a 4 year old son

Plan : to do an MBA from Wharton, specialising in Finance and Entrepreneurship or HBS (full time; since part time is not an option for international students)

My query :

I would like to know your view / opinion on making such a move with my family, given the time / money commitment that would be required from my side.

Are there others who have quit their middle-management jobs elsewhere in the world and took the break (quit their jobs) to pursue higher studies (read a full-time MBA) ?

The reason for a Wharton/HBS MBA : the expectation that I would be able to equip myself with tools that can help me explore ’starting a business’ / get a deeper understanding of finance management.

Requesting your view .. .

By: admin

admin — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 05:43:14 +0000

WhartonEntrepreneur,

It’s my pleasure to host such knowledgeable commenters!