> HBS is full of analysts and consultants from those firms and institutions taking a pit stop on their way to partner. Many get their MBA to help them move up

> HBS is full of analysts and consultants from those firms and institutions taking a pit stop on their way to partner. Many get their MBA to help them move up from analyst to consultant. Most won't make partner, but many will spin into lucrative executive positions with Fortune 1000 companies. So yes, some already are on the inside track with top firms, and need HBS or another Ivy MBA to move up to the next level. For others, it will help them build credibility and get their foot in the door. In either case, HBS is acting as gatekeeper. When you look at how much the banking and consulting industries focus their recruiting efforts on a handful of top schools, I don't think correlation or causation is even a question. Graduates from other schools are not getting the same attention (perhaps because HBS has done such a great job screening their applicants already), which further helps HBS grads. I'm sorry HBS didn't help your career as an engineer/entrepreneur, but this doesn't negate the experience of the 50+% of students who go into banking and consulting positions, for whom an HBS MBA and the alumni connections will be a boon.