It can be useful if the competition is genuinely open and gives you a chance to build a real skill, result, or relationship.

The value is not that attending a target-school event changes your school status. It is the experience you gain and the evidence you can later discuss.

A strong performance can create a resume bullet, improve casing, and introduce you to students, judges, or consultants you otherwise would not meet.

Choose the event for the quality of the opportunity, not for the target-school label alone. MBB recruiting guide.