Agonizing over choosing a business school

[waterjug]

I know this is an odd question for this forum, but there are a few people here with backgrounds in the field. I'm trying to decide between two programs, relatively evenly ranked.


With Option A I like their curriculum better; I want to end up in investment management, and they have a specific asset management curriculum that is VERY intricate and deep. During the application process they also made me feel more welcome/wanted than any other program. Issues started to arrive after this however. Now, I already have a master's from Option A, I enjoyed the campus/environment. I had a 3.8 in that program. My GMAT is a 730, their average is a 670. I have a few extra years management/work experience as well, beyond their average. I also interviewed well, I thought. I figured I was in line for a pretty hefty scholarship. Instead I got wait-listed. Their suggestions are to get extra recommendations, retake the GMATs, or show them more transcripts. The last two were clearly out since I exceeded their averages, and my recommendations got me full scholarships from other programs. I wrote a letter detailing my qualifications again, and why I thought I was a great candidate. I heard back a week later that I had been admitted, with a half scholarship. I began communicating with them again, asking to reconsider for a larger scholarship. Eventually they agreed, and now I have a full scholarship.

In the meantime, Option B had already accepted me and offered me a full scholarship. From the very day I was admitted they have communicated with me constantly about upcoming opportunities to meet fellow classmates, current students, faculty, etc. They have had sponsored events to get the community together, including a full weekend event where we got to meet the career services people, faculty, etc. and I've gotten to meet a ton of people from the program, all of whom have made me feel welcome. Option A doesn't really do anything like this; I contacted them and asked. They did say there are student orgs that occasionally do things, which is nice, but the program itself doesn't sponsor/hold/organize anything. Also a factor, when option A was hemming and hawing I put in a $1000 deposit to B.

So now I'm torn; During the application process Option A was great, I really saw myself going there, and I love the curriculum, it's EXACTLY what I want (assuming I don't change my mind while in the program). I felt so welcomed, and it seemed like the whole admissions office knew my name. Since then though it was like pulling teeth to get in, and get a competitive offer. Option B on the other hand has a curriculum that is good, but I just prefer the other. However, they have been amazing ever since the interview, and I feel like they've gone the extra mile to let me know I'm a wanted member of their community, and they've done great in helping everyone meet & mix before classes. I'm stuck.

 

[halik]

Always go with the better rated program.

 

[RagingBITCH]

Assuming both are Tier 1? It's not about what you know, it's who you know. Which one has better community and business connections assuming you stay there afterwards, or a better reputation outside the city? Sounds like B has the connections part lined up far better, but not sure if these are longterm business connections you'd utilize for the rest of your career, or just a "Hello here's a card never see me again".

 

[AznAnarchy99]

Always go with the better rated program.

Higher rated program with the best chance to meet people.

 

[shortylickens]

college gets you more jobs from the networking than the actual education.

I'd pick the more prestigious school.

 

[DesiPower]

Alumni, go for one with better Alumni network. You can get a great jump start in your career. I see the guys from A&M and Duke, man, I envy them.

 

[highland145]

Wharton

 

[waterjug]

There's a lot of different rankings for MBA programs; option A & B are similarly ranked in a lot of them, and then in a few B is WAY higher.

As for alumni it's hard for me to judge; it feels like accessing anyone from A has been harder, the school isn't communicating much, and hasn't really reached out.

 

[Delita]

Just name the schools and I can tell you which one to go to.

 

[gotsmack]

Yea, just name the schools. When it comes down to it go to the school that has the better reputation/ranking. The stronger the program, the stronger the networking opportunities you will get in your field.

Also the student life stuff held by the school don't mean crap, you'll be doing busy work 18 hours a day with your classmates. That is the bond you form with your peers. Friendship through shared suffering. That and the weekend drinking.

 

[blipblop]

730 will make you competitive at any top 10 school. Which programs are you deciding between?

 

[pete6032]

If you're a smart person, then you're smart, and that will come through in your job interview. You don't need to rely on the name of a school to communicate your intelligence.

Go with the scholarship school. Also think about which city has better job prospects in your career field.

 

[uclaLabrat]

Higher rated program with the best chance to meet people.

This...I would go for a top 10 school with better networking over a top 5 school that is basically trading on the name.

 

[uclaLabrat]

If you're a smart person, then you're smart, and that will come through in your job interview. You don't need to rely on the name of a school to communicate your intelligence.

Go with the scholarship school. Also think about which city has better job prospects in your career field.

I don't agree with this advice much. You're right in principle, but you make a critical assumption: he got the interview. The name of the school (and more so your connections in the field) will determine your ability to land said interview.

 

[Mai72]

Lolz. Quit college and strike out of your own.

 

[OverVolt]

..

 

[DigDog]

Lolz. Quit college and strike out of your own.

a reasonable proposal.

also, you could pick A or B and the outcome would be decided more by random factors than by your pick - this is not chosing between Harvard and community college; you have two identically great offers which have very small differences between them and many unknown factors ahead.

follow your heart.. but dont smoke pot.

 

[pete6032]

I don't agree with this advice much. You're right in principle, but you make a critical assumption: he got the interview. The name of the school (and more so your connections in the field) will determine your ability to land said interview.

In my personal experience I think there are more factors at play in getting an interview than the school name. I was in a similar situation to the OP. I had a full ride at a lesser known grad school and also was accepted to some prestigious programs but would have had to take out loans.

I went to the full ride school and it turned out that my internship experience was much more important than any of the other things I had listed on my resume when it came time to finding a job.

 

[Perknose]

Short circuit the whole involved process and just mug a rich old lady while getting elected state treasurer as a Republican. You'll have everything your fellow, would-be MBA's strive for -- money, power, and the ability to financially hurt innocent people.

 

[IndyColtsFan]

Go with the full scholarship. An MBA is a risky proposition from all but the very top schools and there is no way I'd take on debt for one unless it were a top 5 or 10 program and even then, at my age, probably not worth the debt.

Edit: So school A is giving you a full scholarship too? In that case, pick the one with the best alumni network if they're similarly rated.

 

[norseamd]

follow your heart.. but dont smoke pot.

what does pot have to do with anything?

 

[Sluggo]

Short circuit the whole involved process and just mug a rich old lady while getting elected state treasurer as a Republican. You'll have everything your fellow, would-be MBA's strive for -- money, power, and the ability to financially hurt innocent people.

We can't have any thread here without someone taking a cheap shot at the other political party?

Pretty sad.

 

[highland145]

We can't have any thread here without someone taking a cheap shot at the other political party?

Pretty sad.

He's just mad because his Dr won't accept his medicare anymore. All the pubbies fault.

 

[norseamd]

We can't have any thread here without someone taking a cheap shot at the other political party? Pretty sad.

you can count the democrats as well

even those who vote for them do not like the democrat party

we are not just fools enough to have any trust in the republican party especially when they have power

 

[Perknose]

He's just mad because his Dr won't accept his medicare anymore.

My doctor accepts monopoly money. Of course, he also printed out his own diploma on an aged ink jet, so . . .