What ‘It’s Business School’ Means Four lessons for prospective MBA students Commentary During my time in the Master of Business Administration (MBA) program at Rice University, an oft-heard saying was “It’s business school.” This line encapsulated the sentiment among student peers and garnered near instant understanding. My distinct background, growing up on a sheep and cattle farm in New Zealand, meant I had a steeper learning curve and at first didn’t get it. That stood even with my extensive self-directed research into business schools and international search for the best fit. Now that I’ve graduated after two years in Houston, Texas, I can speak from direct experience. Below, I list four observations, but they all stem from one feature: MBA programs serve to garner entry into and promotion on the corporate ladder, not to provide education in a classical sense.