Why do business schools fill up during a down economy?

[Pat Coyle]

Despite the gloomy outlook for current students, applications to B-schools are on the upswing, driven largely by applicants who have been laid off or are otherwise hoping to ride out the recession. With more applicants to choose from, admissions officers can be pickier, making 2009 a difficult year to land a slot at a top B-school.

Some would-be Grad students could choose service instead.
The bottom line is that service opportunities may be more plentiful than jobs, and more plentiful than ever if President-Elect Obama’s stimulus plan calls for the expansion of national service.Read more

So will you study or will you serve?
On the school front: tt's tougher to get in...requires significant financial investment...and your prospects for employment after graduation are not looking too rosy...and serving is a nice idea for recent college grads who are still getting help from Mom and Dad, but what if you can't afford to serve? What's a Smoosier to do? Share your thoughts here