How does the first-year HBS MBA experience differ across the student population? A class-wide survey of second-year students sheds light on this question. HBS students are a diverse population—different demographics and life experiences have shaped each of our journeys to and at HBS. We, a team of WSA members, conducted a survey investigating the HBS MBA experience to capture how some of those differences manifested themselves during the RC year. The survey covered a broad spectrum of topics including satisfaction levels, feelings of equity in the classroom, self-perceptions and perceptions of others, available time, and emotional support networks. The survey also explored views on academics, grades, and the Baker Scholar award. Here we share some of the results that we found most illuminating and shed light on the following key questions:
Do RC students experience the HBS MBA equitably?
Are HBS men more ambitious than HBS women?
Do HBS students care about grades?
How do HBS students define success?Method The HBS MBA Experience Survey was sent to second year students in the class of 2021 in the fall of 2020. It asked ECs to reflect on their pre-covid RC experience. With the support and promotion of several HBS affinity groups and clubs (see Exhibit A), the survey had a response rate of 38%—higher than is typical for a voluntary student survey. The respondents represent a diverse cross-section of the class population (see Exhibit B). The project focused on four core aspects of identity: gender, race and ethnicity, nationality, and sexual orientation, and considered intersections between race and gender to capture heterogeneity within these identity groups. Several additional factors, such as socioeconomic status and individual political ideology were not explicitly addressed in this study, but we recognize that they, too, are important aspects of identity that shape people’s experiences and perceptions at HBS. In this article, all reported findings of differences between identity groups are statistically significant. To keep responses anonymous, we combined students identifying as “Black” or as “Latino/Hispanic/Of Spanish descent” into one group (referred to here as “Black/Latino/Hispanic”; we also combined students identifying as “South Asian” or as “Asian, not including South Asian” into one group (referred to here as “Asian”). To preserve the anonymity of responses from students of other race/ethnicities, we report the results of the three largest race/ethnicity groups. Similarly, to preserve the anonymity of responses from students who identify as non-binary and transgender, the reported gender comparisons below include only respondents who identified as male or female. Student Satisfaction TL; DR: Overall, students are satisfied with the RC year. There are varying levels of dissatisfaction with faculty diversity. Students could do more to make the classroom feel equitable and ensure section mates’ perspectives feel heard. Survey responses revealed high levels of satisfaction with the RC year: 83% of the class of 2021 were “somewhat satisfied” or “very satisfied” with their pre-COVID-19 RC experience. Asian students and older students were less satisfied. We also observed lower levels of satisfaction among Black/Latina/Hispanic women. Further differences emerged when students were asked more specifically about equity and inclusion. Overall, across all identities, only 43% of all students were satisfied with the degree of faculty diversity. When we look by gender, women were less satisfied with the degree of diversity in the HBS faculty compared to men (33% versus 52%). Students who identify as bisexual, gay, lesbian or queer were less satisfied with faculty diversity than students who identify as straight (22% versus 45%). Furthermore, Black/Latino/Hispanic students were less satisfied than white students (22% versus 49%). When we take intersections between race and gender into consideration, the differences are striking (see Exhibit C). 62% of white men were satisfied with the degree of faculty diversity compared to only 18% of Black/Latina/Hispanic women.
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