Whatever You Do in B-School, Don’t Do This!

So far, we’ve talked about understanding the purpose of the MBA, picking the right format, understanding and using rankings appropriately, how to make a good impression during the recruiting process and how to develop a high quality application that differentiates you from others with similar grades and test scores. We’ve also discussed how to effectively negotiate for scholarships, and how to maximize the experience once you are admitted to the program of your choice.

In Chapter 8, we talk about a dirty secret prevalent in many MBA programs—that far too many students cheat on assignments, projects, and exams. Some do it because they’re lazy, some have a hard time juggling academic and extracurricular demands, and some can’t keep up with the numerous reading and writing assignments inherent in most MBA programs. Whatever the reasons, cheating can be disastrous for both the cheater and the program in which they’re enrolled.

The chapter opens with a moderately humorous story of a student who copied his assignment directly from Wikipedia and—when he got caught—tried to play it off like it was a coincidence. We then define the various types of cheating (there are several) and lists some possible consequences for those caught in this unfortunate situation. More importantly, the chapter discusses how to avoid academic dishonesty in the first place. Specific suggestions for handling group assignments, written assignments, and exams are provided.