Starting an MBA program can feel overwhelming. You’re switching careers, moving cities, and walking into classrooms full of accomplished strangers who seem to have it all figured out. That’s exactly why the McCombs Adventure Program exists—and why it might be the best investment you make before classes even begin.

What Happened this Summer

This July, with the help of Step Outside, the McCombs Adventure Program (MAP) brought incoming MBA students to Tetonia, Idaho, just outside the Teton Valley. Over four days, the group stayed at Cache Vista Ranch and tackled everything from 3-5 mile mountain hikes to river rafting and mountain biking at Grand Targhee. There was also a team adventure challenge that got competitive fast (in the best way).

But here’s what made it different from your typical pre-MBA social mixer: the activities were designed to push participants outside their comfort zones while building genuine connections with their future classmates. Between the outdoor adventures, there were guided discussions about goals for the MBA program and structured time to reflect on what they wanted from the next two years.

The Real Impact: Stories from Students

Nick Ferris wasn’t sure what to expect when he signed up for this summer’s trip. As someone navigating the program with a disability, he had concerns about accessibility and how much he’d be able to participate. Working with StepOutside and Valley Adaptive Sports, a local nonprofit in Driggs dedicated to making Teton Valley recreation accessible for people with disabilities, the team made sure every activity was accessible.

The moment that stuck with him most? During the adventure challenge, his team was racing to earn bonus points when the adaptive sports coordinator suggested Nick take one more ride on the Bowhead Reach downhill bike. “Without hesitation, my team told me to go for it,” Nick recalls. “They knew how much joy I’d found in speeding down those mountain trails… That moment, when my teammates put my joy over our points, summed up what this MBA community is all about.”

Joe Welch had a simple goal: make a few friends who liked outdoor activities. By day two, he says, “we were all laughing and joking like we’d been friends for years.” The variety of activities meant he got to interact with different groups depending on what level of challenge he chose—an unexpected bonus that helped him connect with more classmates.

For Austen Anderson, the conversations stood out as much as the adventures. “Everyone came with their own story and their own reason for being here, and it created an environment of trust that you don’t always get so early in a journey like this.” A highlight was working with his team to design a community event centered on inclusion and accessibility, which sparked discussions about empathy and leadership.

Why This Matters More Than You Think

The benefits of pre-MBA bonding experiences go deeper than just making friends. Research shows that students who participate in small cohort experiences before their program starts see significant advantages throughout their MBA journey.

  • Stronger Community from Day One: When you arrive on campus already knowing a handful of classmates well, you skip the awkward getting-to-know-you phase and dive straight into meaningful collaboration. That sense of belonging matters when you’re dealing with the intensity of case competitions, recruiting, and exams.
  • Better Academic and Professional Outcomes: Students who bond with peers early often report enhanced confidence, which translates directly to better performance in classroom participation, group projects, and recruiting situations. Having a built-in support system helps during high-pressure periods when everyone is competing for the same internships.
  • Network Effects: The relationships formed during these programs often become some of the strongest in your MBA experience. These aren’t just study group partners—they become career-long connections who support each other through job searches, career pivots, and entrepreneurial ventures.

What Made the McCombs Adventure Program Special

This summer’s program demonstrated once again why these pre-MBA experiences are so valuable. The four-day format struck the right balance between adventure and reflection, with activities that challenged participants physically while creating space for meaningful conversations about their MBA goals.

The physical demands were real but manageable—participants covered up to 15 miles of hiking and activities in mountain terrain over the four days, with steep elevation changes and outdoor activities that required mobility and endurance. The organizers adjusted the pace to keep everyone safe and engaged, with options to make activities more or less challenging based on comfort levels.

Is the McCombs Adventure Program
Worth It?

Joe Welch puts it simply: “After leaving the trip, I was 10x more excited to start the MBA program than before (and I was already very excited). I felt more comfortable going into the first day knowing a good group of people who would be friends willing to help me personally or professionally.”

That confidence boost and instant community is exactly what makes the difference between surviving your MBA and truly thriving in it. When you’re facing down recruiting season or working through a particularly brutal case study at 2 AM, having people who’ve literally had your back on a mountain trail makes all the difference.

The McCombs Adventure Program isn’t just about the adventure—it’s about starting your MBA journey with the right people by your side. And in a program as competitive and intense as business school, that might be the most valuable preparation you can get.

Start Your McCombs Journey

Ready to begin your MBA journey? Learn more about the Hildebrand MBA at Texas McCombs. For detailed information about application components and deadlines, check out our Application Process page.