Beyond the MBA Hype: A Guide to Understanding and Surviving B-Schools

by Sameer Kamat

"This comprehensive and attractively written guide should be required reading for anyone contemplating an MBA at an international business school."
says Dr Jochen Runde (former MBA Director), University of Cambridge

This is the international edition of the bestselling book praised by the Admission Officers of the top international MBA programs, the media and readers considering GMAT MBA programs.

Genres: Business, Nonfiction, Self Help, Buisness

228 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 1, 2011

About the author

Sameer Kamat is the best-selling author of Beyond The MBA Hype and Business Doctors.

He is the founder of MBA Crystal Ball, Careerizma & Booksoarus. He completed his MBA from the University of Cambridge and currently lives in Mumbai (India).

Connect with Sameer on: Facebook | Twitter | LinkedIn | Email

Reviews

[Angshuman · Rating 4 out of 5]

I expected this book to be another one of how to apply to an international MBA. But I found it to be much more than that. The book is about understanding MBA education and about setting expectations of an MBA. This book will not only help international MBA aspirants but also those who are looking for a career shift and who just want to review their career.

Sameer presents a very realistic picture about life at MBA (chapters 4-6) and life post MBA (chapters 7-9). There are many resources and a few chapters with details about what is actually taught in MBA and how to decode it and really use it later.

Also, Sameer with his experience at Cambridge as well as his MBA consulting experience does understand the kind of questions an MBA applicant may have and answers them (and asks more questions) really well - I liked Appendix D which gives a set of introspective questions. I've actually written them down and I’m carrying them around in case some answers pop in :).

A must read for someone who is looking for information about international B schools but I would like to warn that at times the book is a little too realistic and goes on to prove that MBA is actually a hype. But the trick is not to get carried away by the hype and about making an informed decision. There is enough information in the book to help you do that. Unfortunately, I am one of those who is brainwashed by the idea of doing an MBA (a phrase used by the author) and will still go ahead with it. But the information was definitely worth it!

[Kevin Luo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked up this book after perusing information about MBA's on the Internet and I think that this book does a great job of synthesizing many aspects of an MBA to ultimately answer if it is necessary. The main point of this book is that blanket advice about whether it is good for you or not, whether to just apply to the top schools, and so on is not adequate and that choosing to pursue further education in this method is very individual specific. One must objectively look at their current situation, look at the necessity, and consider the financial implications and future implications of pursuing an MBA. An example of this would be in conducting a list of schools to apply to. Many factors have to be inputted, such as cost, length, class size, post-career options, and so on that may cross of some schools that are within the top-10 rankings. Additionally, there is plenty of tangible resources towards the end about the application process and so on. The writer is very funny and makes many different jokes during the book and really tells things how they are. He does not sugarcoat things and lifts the rosy image that many of us have on the outside looking in. A great read and a resource for everyone.

[Shivanand Mahapatra · Rating 4 out of 5]

I cam across this book at a time when I was doing well in my first venture and was convinced that I don't need an MBA. However, being interested in management in general, I gave the book a go and came back impressed!!

Sameer Kamat, with his background, is able to understand precisely the problems that the aspirants face when they are applying to global B-schools. (There is also a fair comparison between and Indian and Global MBA) and tries his best to address the key issues. The book very succinctly list down the common myths that the aspirants harbor about an MBA and tries to present a sound, logical argument against them with relevant examples and stories.
The book is easy to read is well structured and you can complete it in a couple of sessions enriched with useful information. There is a handy career guide describing the major professions that MBA's pursue that is very useful for newbies.
Also, you got to love the honest approach of the author. Here is a man who is a MBA consultant but stresses on the fact that not everyone needs an MBA!!

[Chandan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think this book is a hype considering I knew about 80% of the things sameer is trying to convey. I found negative energy flowing out of this book. I had already given my GMAT one year before this book was launched and even got an admit in top 20. I had to defer my admit so in a free time I decided to read this book to have a insiders perspective. But sameer talks about what mainly is hugely out of context and I didn't find anything which was like new to me. All the links, books which he shares with us I knew it earlier even though I had no prior knowledge about GMAT. At times it just seems he has taken info from Google and just organized it.

[Ritika · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beyond the MBA hype in one word is a pathfinder.
The book gets you to introspect the very idea of pursuing an MBA. For people like me who have just finished their bachelors degree, MBA seems to be the next step just because it has been commercialised as a life transforming degree.
The book breaks down all the myths and assumptions that we all consciously or unconsciously believe in when it comes to MBA.
My basic understanding about MBA before I read this book equals the below equation
Student + work experience + high GMAT score = Harvard university.
Fortunately or unfortunately the equation isn’t correct and getting an MBA does not change your life! Which means one can land themselves at a low paying job or no job at all if it’s not done right.
The book also distinguishes between MBA from India and MBA in foreign land and clearly the MBA abroad wins, At least for me.
The core emphasis of the book is MBA must not be an outcome of boredom at job but it must be an outcome of numerous parameters.
This book helped me get out of the bubble I was living in and face the reality. This doesn’t mean I am giving up on my MBA dream but I have more options open to choose from as I have a fair if not complete picture of what my expectation from an MBA should be and what is expected out of me.

[Kunal Kashyap · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beyond the MBA hype, is not just a book to read and commented about & to take learnings from it. But it's actually something more than that to me, and that additional something I call it is "Bible for MBA prospects"

I actually am thankful to the craftsman of this masterpiece, Sameer sir.. I hope I had got this book a lil before I started my MBA journey, I would sure wouldn't have landed up doing an MBA at the moment.

This book actually act as an immensified portal of learnings and knowledge a person can take who has his mind wandering around "MBA keeda"
You need not google or wiki stuffs for your MBA prep or the path and pre-requisites for it, you get it all when you go thru this book.
It actually portrays all the happening all the pros and cons of doing an MBA *no cons hehe just to add a lil rhyme i added it, so guys take no harm* and it has that influential power in itself that can cater to the minds which are flickered about either of doing an MBA or not.
It gives clarity, it gives an aspiration. It gives all that an MBA student require to have in the need to crack a focus intellect required for MBA in a b-school. It talks about MBA in & out it talks about the myths it talks about the branches you can enter as your specialization which is again a very big confusion point for MBA keedas, the best part of the book is that you can actually relate parts of the book with parts of your own life.
You can actually help yourself to a great extent if you have this bible with you and you read the bible and get blessed by the author and even god *being sarcastic, blessings would always be ! But more importantly clarity of thoughts is all you conclude to after you finish reading it*

And one more thing which I strongly BELIVE in is that
All the educational institutes and the soooo called *not even that so called, for some so called and for some life saviour for some the end of the world for some genie in a bottle and even Axe-pert hehe* GMAT training institutes and places where MBA is of emphasis this BIBLE SHOULD BE MADE COMPULSORY !
A lot of people's live who don't know why they want to do an MBA, but will do an MBA because they belong to herd mentality and for those who wants to do an MBA but are unable to get into it for some or the other reason, this piece will definitely help all of us to heal that pain firstly and secondly help us in a great manner to strategize our plan of actions and will give an insight of whether I AM MADE FOR AN MBA OR NOT.

I strongly recommend this book as a a highly recommendable book for every student out their on this globe especially aur indian bandhu's and bandhi's buy a copy of this book before you start the journey of your MBA ! Trust one way or another this book will HELP YOU like anything and wll benefit you thruout your MBA journey !

I love "BIBLE for MBA prospects" oops sowie "Beyond the MBA hype".

[Jagadeesh]

If you are thinking of pursuing MBA in a foreign country, then you have come to the appropriate page to seek what to read to begin with. This book looks beyond the hype and highlights the typical issues and challenges regarding an International MBA. It flows through all the relevant topics and enumerates the pros and cons of the MBA journey, right from the germination of first thoughts to the MBA jobs. All in all, a comprehensive, India- perspective book on the subject.

For prospective candidates facing dilemmas in the course of final decision making, this book is a must read! It not only gives a “googled-out” view of all the related aspects, but cajoles the reader to look inwards and think on several aspects that are practical, disturbing and need thorough consideration. For, until you address these issues, you may not be able to successfully pursue your dreams with a realistic risk assessment.

Mind you, this is not a “How-to” book on International MBA! It is more of a “What” book, which describes “what” the different aspects are, at a level at which any reader can comprehend. It also tells you where you need to look for further information, which is a huge task in itself.

At the end, you do get a feeling that the author is dissuading the prospective candidate from pursuing the MBA dream! However, if you look back through the chapters, the message is clear- create awareness so that the candidate approaches the MBA rigmarole with the right attitude, expectation, perspective and preparation.

In addition, though the author runs a MBA consulting company, he does not use this book as a platform for advertising it!

[Siddharth Saha · Rating 4 out of 5]

I bought this book when I started applying to business schools. This is a valuable resource for all people who are applying / thinking to apply to business schools (the earlier the better).

1. Gives an overview the full process. If you are thinking to go for an MBA, you need to do several things -- preparing for the GMAT, taking the GMAT, researching schools, writing application essays, and making a resume. This books gives you a lot of information, which is often scattered on the internet, in one easy place for a very reasonable price, thus saving you a lot of time.
2. Gives you insight on what to expect as you start your MBA journey.
3. Gives you information on schools, GMAT scores, specific profiles etc.
4. Really gets you to think why you want to go for an MBA. This is essential to really shine in your application essays.
5. Sets your expectations of an MBA correct. This is very much essential as generally people, including myself, have bloated expectations mainly due to the advertisements.

Overall, it's a must book to read. It will not give you concrete information on how to do well on the GMAT or essays but sets you in the right direction. Also, it's a pleasure to read -- the storytelling is good!

[Puneet · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book a few years back and it provided the right direction on how to approach MBA. It helped me evaluate whether i should take the plunge and was willing to repay the debt for next 5-10 years !
The book will tell you a lot of aspects the MBA industry (coaching inst, essay editors etc) will never tell you.

Apart from dissecting the hype around the program, the book provides the right knowledge and perspectives to consider while planning for career enhancement. So after you are done with the hype part and see the program for what it is, you will start getting to align your expectations and realistically judge if MBA can help you get where you want to be.

I guess this book will provide you guidance which is not possible to get from friends/relatives and especially from MBA grads (they don't want to shatter the image ;))

The book is a must read especially for all MBA applicants to get a feel beyond the numbers(considering the media which depicts MBA as a money making machine)

[Sarah Anne Grossman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was really helpful in allowing me to think more clearly about my goals as a professional. Like many young professionals who'd been working for a few years but felt they hit a "slump", I saw an MBA as a ticket more than as a reality and failed to define my goals prior to applying. When I went through the interview with the schools I'd selected I'd fallen completely out of love with the idea (again, more of an infatuation than true understanding). I performed the interview and felt like I was sitting in a stereotype. I wouldn't say the book convinced me out of an MBA b/c I still have some desire to eventually voyage through one, but it challenged and questioned my motives and perceptions. This may or may not influence your decision in the end b/c there may be many other factors in the mix for you but for me, it was a perfect book to read before and during the MBA application process.

[Bernish Tongbram · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bursting the dreamy MBA bubbles

I thoroughly enjoyed the way this book asked me so many questions on so many levels. If you are a true MBA aspirant, you are going to come out inspired, feeling more certain about the choices you are going to make. If you aren't, this is what you needed most from taking the wrong leap of a huge investment of money and your priceless time.

I read this book right after Chioma Isiadinso's "The Best Business Schools' Admission Secrets" (based on Amazon suggestion) and it felt like continuing through the same enquiry with a true focus on Indian perspective.

I could steal a star for his humor but Nay! Absolutely glad how it has given a clearer vision on the subject.

[Kandaswamy Maruthachalam]

This book has really opened my eyes about the world of management right from applying to B schools to the jobs and careers that one makes out of it. Before reading this book I would say that I had very less knowledge about future career paths, but now I seem to have a fair idea.

I would recommend anybody who is trying to get a globally sound MBA to read this book!!

[Apoorv Mishra · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is extremely helpful and gives Ruminative insights which are practical and will help one to know what MBA really is, what one should expect from an MBA, how should one plan his goals regarding B schools, the author has hardcore knowledge regarding this aspect as he himself has an MBA from Cambridge and has sailed across all tides and helps students to transform their career. The book deals with practical insights and executions of plans in detail.
The first two chapters deal with what MBA is and throws light on top b schools and their application process.
Chapters 3-7 deal with Networking, electives and also throws light on various career paths.
The remaining chapters and appendix deal with Post MBA life, few stories revolving around alternatives of MBA, and some titbits of getting into top programs.
Lay your hands on this, you won't regret it.

[Waheb Naqvi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was suggested to me by one of my friends who eventually went on to do an MBA. I bought the book right away from a book store, though I was getting a significant discount online. But yeah Urges.

Found the book crisp, an easy read and pretty useful. Was a lil freaked out by Samir’s frank take on budget and the loans for MBA. But all in all a good nice read.

If you are in your third year of engineering and a lil confused then you must read this once.

Cheers

[Sambakailash Sadhu]

He is very clear and precise with his words. He covers both pre MBA thought process and Post MBA scenario very precisely. I was expecting this book to be a little outdated considering it was released quite a while ago. But his perspective offers deep insight on things that you don't even consider.

A must read for anyone who are genuinely interested in knowing what happens inside the MBA dream colleges.

[Akash Gupta · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are very few consultants who provide you the complete view of pre, during and post MBA life, what to expect in reality. I am just noting down summary points for me -
1. MBA is just for the brand.
2. Very high level knowledge provided in the classroom, not much real-world use.
3. Networking is more or less not useful, as networking is valuable when you are clear what to do.
4. Management is a practice.
Thanks Sameer, for writing this book down.

[Sourav Panigrahi · Rating 4 out of 5]

A surgeon's cut for all MBA aspirants

The distinctive character of the book is in the balance of optimism and informed pessimism. It helps you move beyond the world of brouchres and make a hard analysis of (almost) all the factors before considering an MBA degree. I especially enjoyed the section on Careers post MBA.

[Himanshu · Rating 5 out of 5]

Before you take the plunge, read this book to get to know what you are getting into.
Sameer has very objectively explained the MBA world to the reader.
Appendix list is quite dense and crisp at the same time. It can be used as a checklist by MBA aspirants.
The book helped me make an informed decision of not going for MBA.

[Sumeet Bora · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good book to get a good intro into the field of MBA. Very informative.
However almost 50% content was too redundant, and the author tried too hard to add humour into the book, which wasn't necessary. Because of this I lost interest a few times and had to force myself to continue reading the book.
Would have given the book 5 stars if the content was more concise and to the point.

[Prince Goyal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Do I really need a MBA?
I am not sure if this answers the question, but it surely asks the right questions which will help me figure out an answer soon.
This book covers the complete MBA application process starting from how to find the best B-school for you and how you can get admitted there. A must read for a confused MBA aspirant & a good read even if you have already decided to pursue MBA.

[Bhargavi Priya M · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thankfully I picked up this book at the initial stage of my preparation for MBA.
The book served it's purpose. It's like I got all the information that I wanted at one place.
I will use this as a guide for some upcoming months from now. I'll be revisiting all my highlighted parts and as the author suggests, I'll question myself before every step.

[Nipun Jain · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good book but did not find to useful. It gave you basics but now all the things are available on internet and we can reach out it easily. Still but if someone is not able to understand about mba and all of stuffs related to it. Please go through it, it will give you most the answers of your doubts.

[Rishabh Anand · Rating 4 out of 5]

A must read book for all MBA aspirants. The author explains the advantages and disadvantages of MBA and conveys it rightly,"An MBA, like any other degree or academic course, has its good and bad sides. As long as you educate yourself about the pros, the cons and the pitfalls, you’ll do just fine."

[saket adhikarla · Rating 5 out of 5]

A cleaner view from here

Yeah, does help with clearing the illusions one has been subject to.
It's more like someone patiently talking to you in your favor.

[Dhairya Thanawala · Rating 1 out of 5]

I had read very good reviews about this book and decided to buy it and had high expectations but it told me what I already knew.

[Mohd Javed · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good app

[Umesh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice book for MBA aspirants..

[Anurag Rakde · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not sure if you need a MBA degree or not?

This is the exact book you need. It will show you all the pros and cons of a MBA degree with NO/MINIMAL bias.

[Ajinkya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Must Read!

Summarises entire application process in very simple manner! It will also make you introspect whether you really want to do MBA.

[Vatsal Pandey · Rating 5 out of 5]

an intriguing read

Finished in a day flat. lots of questions answered and new ones raised. Strongly recommend for MBA aspirants to go through before embarking on the journey!!