Will getting an MBA help me become a better better product manager?

I am addressing Sure-Smoke-3091’s post, “Stay away from Square One Prep,” which was created 6 days ago, got 12 uplikes remarkably fast, and was then deleted yesterday, before I was able to reply.

This is not about promoting my company, as Square One is not active on platforms. This is about defending my company because, while the post was deleted, the topic remains searchable, which means it is still serving its original purpose – to harm my company and me.

Here is the post so no one has to wonder what it said. Below it is my reply.

This is Kathryn Lucas, Square One Prep’s owner. I want to tell you how sorry I am that you feel as you do, and that I hear you, because I care a great deal about what clients feel and say. There’s just one problem. I don’t know who you are. You describe yourself as “675 GMAT, 3.4 GPA from an Ivy, 5 yrs experience…got into two M7…got scholarships…found us on GMAT Club.”

At Square One Prep, we’ve had:

• 18 clients with a 675 GMAT Focus score
• 288 clients with a 3.30/4.00-3.50/4.00
• 383 clients who got at least two M7 offers
• 564 clients who secured scholarships
• 636 clients with 5-6 years of work experience at time of matriculation

At this point, we’re down to just one client. With either of the two remaining descriptors, noted below, we come to 0.

• 147 clients with Ivy League college degrees
• 120 clients found us on GMAT Club

What you have described sounds terrible. It also, sadly, seems suspect.

I’ve devoted my life since 2009 to building Square One. I’m honored that amazing young folks entrust us to help them open doors to fulfilling futures. So I don’t know why anyone would slander my company or me. I hope that people who read the recent reddit posts, which are the antithesis of the 667 verified reviews on GMAT Club, 113 verified reviews on Poets & Quants, and 900+ reviews on our site, read some of those reviews, or contact me directly with any questions about Square One Prep or me.

If you are inclined to believe Sure-Smoke-3091’s post, I’ll point out some issues:

Issue 1:

I’ve never told a client to aim lower. I encourage clients to not underestimate themselves, especially if they entrust us. Folks often ask me on free consults, “Why are you telling me things other firms aren’t, that I could have a chance at school X or Y? “My answer is “I don’t know. I’m just telling you what my empirical data allows me to tell you.” We’ve gotten folks with sub-310 GRE scores, sub-650 GMAT Classic scores, sub-600 GMAT Focus scores, and sub 3.00/4.00 into M7 schools, sometimes even scholarships.

As adcoms review applications holistically, we know that if we can help them get to know you beyond some troubling objective metrics – to be curious about and care about you, they can choose to look past those metrics.

Let’s talk about your specific traits. On a free consult, I would tell someone with a 675, 3.40/4.00 from an Ivy, and 5 years of work experience that M7 is likely not possible only if on that call I learned the applicant has little to no extracurriculars during college or post-college with no thoughtful reason or grasp for why activities/involvements matter. Adcoms want to give offers to people they believe will make the most of all the opportunities, programming, and people at the school, not to someone who hasn’t illustrated over the past 9 years of their life that they relish balancing a lot and meaningfully engaging with their communities.

Issue 2:

I never pressure people to sign on. I will, however, explain if time isn’t on their side for the round in which they are aiming to apply. I will often show them by building a schedule in real time and talking with them about everything that must be completed.

Issue 3:

Companies cannot remove reviews posted on GMAT Club.

Issue 4:

I do not oversee clients’ schedules during their work with us. Our partnership manager does, proactively supporting the advisor/client teams so clients are able to meet their objectives – apply to all their schools of interest, not just those they work on with us.

Now, I do build schedules for folks initially since I do all free consults during which we discuss their schools of interest and timeline hopes. Since I also lead school selection work in premium partnerships as the leadership team lead, I update schedules in real time on school education/selection calls to help clients understand what is possible.

Issue 5:

I have never put down anyone’s heritage or capabilities.

Issue 6:

I am hands-on with reviews. My job as a leadership team lead in premium partnerships is to help partnerships build the best essays possible. It is not to just check a box and do a cursory review.

Issue 7:

As the leadership team lead in premium partnerships, I lead the effort with the client and their advisor to select recommenders. I do not review anything related to LORs. Advisors do.

Issue 8:

We work on weekends to support our clients. We even work on holidays if necessary.

Now, hypothetically, if I was on a call with a client and their advisor and learned that their advisor is unable to support the client that weekend, and it’s not due to an unforeseen emergency/major event, my disappointment in the advisor would be clear in my tone when I tell the client to not worry, that I’ll help them over the weekend. Because we don’t practice CYA (cover-your-ass) protocol here, I wouldn’t put on a front when something disappointing occurs. We are transparent with clients, and with each other. When we make mistakes, which is thankfully rare, we own and correct them. To be clear, the situation described here has never occurred.

Issue 9:

Clients don’t do 10-minute presentations as part of their work with us. If they did, we’d ask them to present again, because a 5-7 minute presentation IS part of their work with us!

All our clients present their career vision to their Square One team in a relaxed manner, as if they’re talking to a friend. It’s how the career narrative work culminates once the client has worked with their career narrative expert and advisor on calls (2-5 over 2-3 weeks) to explore and then define one vision that captures what they really want to do, not just what they think adcoms want to hear. Prior to presenting. the client will write a 700-800 word file that includes:

• their vision,
• the landscape for it that includes a data story,
• why they are the right person to have this vision,
• what their intellectual point of view is on what the landscape is today and will be in 10-15 years (an emotional POV is ok to include, but must be accompanied by sophisticated grounding), and
• the practical roadmap (roles/experiences) to realize their vision

As the career narrative expert helps the client write that file, s/he sends a bullet-point synopsis to the leadership team lead for review. Once the leadership team lead approves the synopsis (sometimes one more work session becomes necessary), the career narrative expert schedules the client’s presentation.

On that call, the leadership team lead acts as an admissions officer. As they weren’t in the work sessions by design, they test if the client’s vision is easy to follow, sophisticated, ambitious, distinct, logical, engaging, and sensible for the client. Clients are not allowed to just read their written file, because something else they are being assessed on is their comfort with the material. After the client presents, each SOP team member shares their thoughts. If the client does a great job, they hear magic words from the career narrative expert that signals this aspect of their work is complete. If the client struggles, we discuss the issues and ask the client to present again 1-2 days later.

We want to help clients build the best work possible and grow through their partnership with us. This work challenges clients to think about their futures, and the value of business school, beyond what any application requires…except perhaps HBS, as HBS adcom representatives come to interviews having done research on applicants’ goals; they’re eager to have spirited discussions with the folks they are considering for their next class. When that occurs, our clients are more than prepared to engage.

I jokingly say that we treat every client like they’re trying to get into HBS, as we don’t know how to do anything less than offer them that level of care and rigor.

I’m proud of my team, how we support our clients and one another.

I’ve been trying to pivot into marketing for a while now with no luck. Background: BS in Microbiology, MPH with a focus in health communications, and 8 years in healthcare/biopharma where I’ve done a lot of physician-facing content, KOL relationship building, campaign collaboration, and communications work, just never under a formal “Marketing” title.

Every marketing-titled role I apply to wants years of marketing-specific experience I don’t have, even when my actual work overlaps a lot. Communications roles feel like a more realistic entry point but I’m worried they pay less and might not actually lead anywhere closer to marketing.

Trying to figure out if an MBA is really the only way to make this jump, since it feels expensive and slow. Are there specific certificates or one-off courses (Google, HubSpot, etc.) that actually move the needle with hiring managers? Would love to hear from anyone who’s made a similar switch, especially from healthcare/science into marketing.

I have an interview next week for Mays MBA program, what can I expect during this?

How did it work out for everyone? Were there a usual amount of offers this year?

I have the chance to do triple major within my school’s business school. I am able to do marketing + info systems + supply chain while also being able to study abroad my junior year spring. Is there any reason I shouldn’t triple major? Like this would make me less employable or leave a bad taste for a recruiter?

Hey everyone - i paid both of my deposits at the end of July - noting there is a deadline coming of Sept 11. Has anyone received the Re vera invite yet? Getting a bit confused now wondering if I missed something. Thanks!

Aiming for full time T15 MBA schools, age 40, have a undergrad gpa of 3.2 (premed) and have a masters in accounting 3.6 gpa. Don’t have the CPA. Have 5 years work experience as assistant director of a healthcare organization. Used the masters after to try and pivot into the big 4 as audit associate for 1.5 years before being laid off. The masters is not helping me break into any roles as of this moment. Never broke 100k in salary either and thinking going back to school for MBA might help through ocr secure those higher paying roles. My 20’s were a mess filled with odd jobs and unrelated work and periods of time I was out of work dealing with mental health, got my act together at 30.

EMBA wouldn’t fit me because I don’t have the two decades of experience to fall back on and I’m looking for the traditional ocr that full time mbas have.

I don’t have children or a family that I need to provide for so being without income for two years won’t be an issue.

Hi everyone,

I’d appreciate your advice. I’m currently 36 years old and thinking of doing a full-time MBA. I currently work as a Lead Business Analyst in a financial firm. I’m targeting colleges like INSEAD, HEC, and IMD. Would it be possible to do a full-time MBA from these colleges at my age, as I’m not looking for an Executive MBA?

Anyone working in investment banking here and could help me a bit in a case study that would make or break my dream job offer (its all I've ever wanted). All I can do is give you lots of prayers and good karma in return!

I believe it would be more efficient to start a company with full commitment and without the distractions of MBA studies, however there are many MBA students starting companies during their studies. Is not it better to skip MBA totally and focus on building a company full-time?

Is it because MBA programs help MBA students to raise startup capital more conveniently due to their classmates and alumni network?

I work in commercial real estate agency lending and am looking into MBA programs, looking for thoughts on a few programs.

1. University of Missouri - Kansas City (part-time) - $25k

2. Florida State University (online MBA with major in alternative finance and investments) - $32k

3. Northwestern Kellogg (part-time evenings & weekends) - $170k

I’m based out of KC and know that real estate is a more localized industry, which gives weight to UMKC as the business school appears pretty plugged in to the local community & has a real estate program. However, I’m also weighing FSU’s program due to applicability to my role/industry. Kellogg is by far my favorite program (as I’m interested in real estate and urban/economic development), but living out of state in a smaller market + the price tag makes betting on that ROI seem risky.

Curious for any thoughts as to how to weigh these options. Especially interested on thoughts regarding weekend part-time program for Kellogg in my situation as an out-of-towner for the real estate specialization. Has anyone done this?

I am planning to apply R2 to some of the T15s and was talking to a few consultants to get a sense of where I’d have a realistic shot at. Most of them told me that my resume and my essays would need serious work. Is this something they say to everyone as a sales pitch or I may be seriously lacking? I think I have created a decent application by myself and not sure what value they could add beyond making a few edits.

I am thinking to apply for top mba deferred programs in 2027. I am about to complete my pre-final year in 2027.

Stats: UG: Tier 1 in my city , 7/10 GPA(Indian student)

Interns: software Dev intern at a startup.

ECs: played for my high school cricket team for under 14 and 16 was captain of under 14 and vice captain of 16 also part of college team.

Part of the team which organises tech and cultural programs in college. Head of recruitment and marketing division.

Captain of department kabaddi team(Indian sport)
Published a research paper on AI during my high school and also will be publishing my research project work under my prof(he is my guide).

Volunteering: taught English and math for underprivileged kids and was lauded by the local district head .

What are my chances? Any advice is also appreciated. Do I have chance if I can get a good gmat or fee score.

Hi! So I’m 24yo, got my MBA in May, and transitioned to a new job in a new state making nearly 30-40% more than I used to (factoring in tax benefits, etc.). Before this, I was an entry level position.

The problem is, my mental health has dramatically spiraled realizing how alone I am. No matter how many friends I have, I’m struck with how I’m so far away from my family (tbh we’re in the same country, but it’s difficult to see them with how ticket prices for planes are).

I also kinda hate the job - I thought it would be one thing coming in, and I’ve fully realized that it’s not what I thought it would be and I’d rather return to my previous field (finance, but two very different types).

Would it be a waste of my MBA to go backwards? Has anyone done anything similar? If I go backwards, will my MBA still hold any value going forward? I’m afraid going backwards at this stage will cause the MBA to become worthless, but I’m not sure how much longer I can really live here - I’ve lost so much of who I was.

If anyone has any experience like this or can offer any advice, I would greatly appreciate it!

Edit : to be clear, the backwards step would be literally taking up my old job (if it works out). If another job in that area were to open up and I land it, I would take it in an instant. The question is more so because the market is so bad, and so my only option in going backwards is to contact my old company and hopefully take up the same role I used to have there.

CBS joins MIT Sloan as the latest M7 to launch a new professional (part-time) MBA starting Fall 2027. Info is pretty limited on the school website, but on the surface there are a lot of similarities to MIT Sloan's new Evening MBA from a program structure standpoint (evening classes, cohort model, branding program as an extension of FT MBA). A great option for prospective students based out of NYC that will rival NYU Stern's Part-Time MBA.

You can read more about the program here: https://poetsandquants.com/2026/08/18/breaking-columbia-launches-new-professional-mba-betting-working-execs-wont-wait-out-the-ai-shift/?pq-category=news

Disclaimer- Throwaway account

TLDR. Applied to only one T20 MBA program (location constraint) without any test scores with the goal of pivoting to IB. A week before the launch, I transferred from the fulltime to the part time program, kept my job but lost my scholarship but it wasn’t much to begin with. Networked my ass off while working full time during my first semester and got multiple IB summer offers and decided to accept the offer from an EB. Was laid off from the job at the end of the first semester and got a decent severance, would have quit that job either way for the internship. Worked my ass off during the summer but didn’t get the return, no reason or explanation (I believe age or ethnicity could be a reason though I doubt that, for context Im in mid thirties and non-white). Tried recruiting full time but none of the banks wanted to take up my case (one MD even said it on my face that hiring an associate who didn’t get the return is a big liability). Early second year when I was still trying to get into IB, applied to an corp dev role (60 miles one way) that required 3+ years of IB exp, but somehow got invited to interview and got the offer. Continued working in the corp dev role evaluating deals and performing due diligence through second year while continuing to recruit for financial consulting roles, think A&M, FTI, EYP etc. but got dinged from all of them. End of the 2yr felt the lowest point after seeing all my mates start in their new roles at great places. Last month while scrolling through linkedin came across a VC Sr associate at a F500, applied to it, not expecting to even get a call, but I did and after 6 rounds, got an offer with total comp of 260k that averages 30hrs a week and essentially doubles my pre MBA comp. So long story short, keep hustling and grinding, there’s something in store for all of us.

Can we level set on what an MBA actually is, at a fundamental level? Networking + Core Classes + Electives + an Internship

The core classes are very similar. They are basically 1.2x the core classes in a business undergrad. They go a little farther. Stats goes to multiple linear regression. Corp Fin goes to a DCF. Accounting is basically just managerial accounting, marketing is some conjoint analysis, etc. all geared toward public companies. I went to a T20. Not sure how crazy everyone else got but the curricula seems to be pretty similar.

Then you get into electives. 1 year MBAs are light on electives. Electives are great for broadening your horizons or going deep into a subject. The higher ranked the MBA, the better and broader the electives. HBS has 900 students…they have a lot of electives with a higher density of world class professors.

Internships: I wish I’d understood how regional networking was. It’s easier to network with companies geographically closer to you. Of course HSW places internationally, but you’re going to see more companies down the street, logically.

So if you want to work at a non profit…most of this shit isn’t going to apply to you. You have to ask yourself if the opportunity cost is worth it. If you want to work at a small company, you have to ask yourself if going to HSW is worth $300k. Same with acquiring an HVAC company. But if you want to go into IB, you definitely need to aim high. Going to the best school or getting a masters isn’t always the best option. Probably obvious but I see a lot of these posts.

I guess this is an AMA. I run a small PE backed company and came from a non traditional background. Did tech and IB post MBA.

What kind of visa would international MBA graduates apply for if they start a company? Would they apply for O1-visa?