But it’s not just shared ambitions that matter; spending time together in meaningful settings matters too. In grad school, all-night study sessions, existential crises about your future, and shared exhaustion can create surprisingly strong bonds. Psychologists call it the “mere exposure effect,” meaning the more you are around someone, the more attractive they often become. In other words, sitting next to someone in a late-night accounting class might be a surprisingly effective path to personal connection.
Not only that, but from my friend’s perspective, the MBA program is a curated market. Admissions officers have already filtered for ambition, intelligence, and commitment. According to Columbia Business School, the average MBA student has 5 years of work experience, meaning the classroom is full of career-focused, motivated people. And unlike dating apps, where quantity doesn’t guarantee quality, business school gives you a front-row seat to see how someone handles stress, teamwork, and leadership before you ever consider a first date.
If we framed it like a market analysis, my friend is moving from a chaotic, oversaturated dating environment to a niche segment with a high supply of eligible, motivated singles. A survey from Poets&Quants reports that over 30% of Harvard alumni ended up marrying someone they met during their time at school (undergrad or business school). If that were a stock, you might call it a buy signal.
Intentionality
My friend’s approach is part of a growing trend in dating: intentionality. In business, clearly defining your objectives and putting yourself in the right environment increases your odds of success. Relationships work the same way. Shared, high-stakes experiences, whether launching a startup in an accelerator or pulling an all-nighter before a strategy presentation, build trust and reveal character faster than casual meetups ever could.
