The recruiter said, "oh, you must know someone here, we don't usually talk to people without MBA's." I said, "the job description says MBA preferred" - her response, "MBAs are at the top of the pile." Successful phone interview after that with the recruiter, successful phone interview with the head of the department and she said, let's set up an in person interview for you next week. A week went by, nothing. I emailed the recruiter and her response was, "sorry, you're not qualified" - I guess I needed my MBA after all?