Beyond The MBA Hype

A Guide To Understanding And Surviving B-Schools

"This comprehensive and attractively written guide should be required reading for anyone contemplating an MBA at an international business school."

says Dr Jochen Runde (MBA Director)
University of Cambridge

Read what the best MBA books won't tell you. It might save you 50 lakh rupees and 2 productive years.

What the top Bschool admissions officers are saying

"I found the perspective quite interesting in terms of even better understanding the mindset and concerns of Indian candidates in particular. It's not a 'here’s how to get admitted' story but rather 'here are some things to make sure you’re thinking about the right things,' which I believe is a great approach. Too often, candidates rush to an MBA thinking it will provide all of their dreams. Beyond The MBA Hype does a good job of helping them to think through the process of not just admission but the entire MBA...."
- Brad Rosenwinkel, Associate Director of Admissions
Kelley Business School (Indiana University)

"The book was engaging because the author used narratives to convey the messages. He is right that applicants from India neglect to consider their 'fit' in a school and focus too much on metrics such as rankings."
- Sheldon Dookeran, Assistant Director of Admissions
Rotman School of Management (University of Toronto)

Media reviews for Beyond The MBA Hype

"...Kamat systematically and effectively, demolishes the notion that an MBA is a magic wand that will change your life...the book destroys the myth of the invincible MBA..." - Mail Today

"A book that can set you on an effective path" - The Hindu - Business Line

"Bestseller that's a must read" - The Times of India

What it is all about

What the real readers are saying: Flipkart reviews

"...can be rightly regarded as 'A Comprehensive Solution' for those who have a dream, for a better career, for a better lifestyle...plan to invest that minimal amount of money into this book because it can surely be THE GAME CHANGER." - Aakash Chhablani

"...Despite the fact that the author himself can be identified as a stakeholder in the MBA industry, he has refrained from presenting an over-optimistic view about what an international MBA means for an individual..." - Prashanta Chettri

"...Though I have been researching Business Schools and the admissions process for a year now, this book showed me how I was thinking within a box..." - Gopi Krishna

"...It is usually said that one should not judge a book by its cover. But with this book, what you see is what you get: A simply written, no-nonsense guide to demystifying B-schools...And as promised, a time and money saver...if you answer the questions truthfully, can even help with deep introspection." - Zoya M

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements | Preface | Introduction

Chapter 1. Why Go for an MBA?
Once Upon a Time (Mitu’s story) | Primary Motivations | Where’s the Negative Publicity?

Chapter 2. The MBA Application Process
Quickly gets you up to speed to the various hurdles you'd need to cross & pitfalls to avoid.
Choosing a Business School | Profile Evaluation | Components of an MBA Application | Pitfalls of Standardized Testing | What’s in it for the Schools? | Lies, Damned Lies and Statistics in MBA Applications

Chapter 3. The MBA Industry
Pulls away the veils and gets you a behind-the-scenes look at the magnitude & dynamics of the industry.
How Big is it Anyway? | The Key Stakeholders | How to Improve Your MBA Profile for the Top B-Schools

Chapter 4. Teaching and Evaluation Techniques
Learn about various teaching approaches and be aware of the drawbacks of each.
Lectures/Presentations | Case Studies | Individual Projects | Group Assignments | Guest Lectures | Industry Tours

Chapter 5. Saved by the Bell
If all you focussed on so far was the MBA application, get a peek into what happens in the MBA class.
Core Subjects – How Core are They Anyway? | The Utility of Electives | Performance Evaluation

Chapter 6. The Skills Gap
Apart from a fancy new degree on your resume, are you getting real world skills that employers value? Skills Required for the Business World | Skills that They Attempt to Teach | What They Can Never Teach You at B-school

Chapter 7. Networking
If you thought, a top MBA would give you an enviable & powerful network, you'll be surprised to read this. What Does It Mean and How Does It Work? | Why It Doesn’t Work for a Majority | Strain on Personal Relationships | Special Interest Groups

Chapter 8. Internships
Most think an MBA internship is an easy way to get a foot in the door. Read why employers may not agree.
Is It A Symbiotic Relationship? | Internship Variations

Chapter 9. Career Hunt
A top MBA on your CV isn't enough to get a dream job. There are external factors you need to keep in mind...like the Implications of Business Cycles

Chapter 10. Career Change
If you have been struggling with your post-MBA goals, learn about various popular post MBA destinations.
Technology | Investment Banking | Accounting/Assurance/Advisory | Management Consulting | Human Resources | Philanthropy/Non-profit/Social Enterprises | Private Equity/Venture Capital

Chapter 11. So What’s Your Goal?
Before pumping all your savings & future earnings into an MBA, explore quicker, cheaper (and free) and less risky alternatives.
Knowledge | Career Change | Networking | Money

Appendix A: What Do the Academic Experts Have to Say?
Appendix B: A Day in the Life of an MBA Student
Appendix C: Useful Resources for MBA Applicants
Appendix D: The Query List You Need To Answer
Appendix E: How to get into the best MBA programmes
Appendix F: How to choose the right country for your MBA
Appendix G: How to select the right B-school
Appendix H: How to prepare for the GMAT
Appendix I: How to write impactful MBA essays
Appendix J: How to create an impressive Resume
Appendix K: How to manage Recommendations
Appendix L: How to prepare for MBA interviews
Appendix M: About MBA Crystal Ball
Appendix N: MBA Clichés and What They Really Mean

Time for some fun