I’m going to be returning to school for a full-time 2 year MBA program in the fall. What I don’t know is which one.
I was accepted to a few programs and have shortened my list to two great schools. One has a well-recognized name both nationally and internationally. The other has a well-recognized named, but is more regionally known and respected. However the region is where the industry I’m hoping to get into lives. So basically this becomes a tie in my books.
One program layout and the courses offered appeal to me more than the other. One accepts about half the number of students than the other (both are still considered ‘smaller’ programs though). They have different ways of gaining international experience as well as outside/industry experience while in the program.
I was about 99% ready to send in my deposit to one school when my official package arrived from the other, offering more than I was originally told and $20K more than the other school. Going for my MBA I was clearly ready to go into a significant bit of debt, however this now makes me second guess myself.
I guess I’m looking for some thoughts on why you chose the program you did (doesn’t have to be your MBA). Was it proximity to home or where you wanted to work after, cost, program set up, presitige, etc etc. I’d like to revisit my list of “must haves” and “nice to haves” and ensure there isn’t anything I’m overlooking. Thanks
[quote]Tex Ag wrote:
All things being equal, go where they are offering money. Debt is overrated and will hamper your ability to move after school.
A structured program will let you know what to expect. I went the unstructured route and regretted it. Works for some, thought it would work for me.
(I hope those two opinions do not clash.)
Do you have any contacts in these departments? Have you spoken to students there—this can be very informative?[/quote]
Of course those opinions clash Why would it be easy?
I have better relationships with the students and admissions officers at the school that has offered less money and this is due to me getting along with them better and feeling more comfortable and at ease with them.
If everything was equal, obviously I would follow the money. But I don’t know how much weight ‘money’ should be given in my decision… it just came as quite the shock when my offering wasn’t as expected.
There is risk to this, but if you got along better with the smaller money school, you could tell them about the offer from the other school. Just be honest about it. There is usually some money available for just an occasion. And if there is not, and you decide to go to the smaller money school, they will appreciate you even more.
Perhaps they know someone who knows someone to give you a part time job to help make up the difference.
There is risk to this, but if you got along better with the smaller money school, you could tell them about the offer from the other school. Just be honest about it. There is usually some money available for just an occasion. And if there is not, and you decide to go to the smaller money school, they will appreciate you even more.
Perhaps they know someone who knows someone to give you a part time job to help make up the difference.
I went to grad school in the seventies. Things were pretty different back then, and I can’t make a direct comparison to today’s MBA degree, as I was studying Cell Biology.
However, Yo Daddy got his MBA in the 90’s at a small local University, and has some advice. The question of whether or not a MBA from a top tier business school like Harvard or Wharton is worth the cost depends on your career aspirations. If you are looking for admittance to Wall Street investment banks and top tier consulting companies, they are a must have. However, if you are willing to sacrifice for a “lesser” career in the Fortune 500, save yourself a lot of money and go for a strong 2nd tier or state university.
Ultimately, performance in the business industry will determine the path of your career; not the prestige level of your alma matter. For that you need more than just an MBA, you need solid experience, conviction in your abilities & need to adapt to the environments of the corporate world.
Look, by current ranking’s both schools are essentially the same tier and both are roughly the same cost. The bottom line is fairly simple – you either choose on the basis of money or on location and feel. I agree with Tex Ag that you should talk with the lower bidder to see what’s available; they deal with this all the time, and the worst they can say is, “sorry” so long as you’re asking and not demanding.
Presumably you applied because they were fairly equivalent wrt post-graduation opportunities, networks, etc., so the decision comes down to other things that are important to you if your heart’s set on these two (and why wouldn’t it be?).
As far as considerations that went into the decision for me, they included:
Admissions standards, current ranking on major ranking boards (US News, etc.) and what criteria the ranking’s had
Culture – were the faculty and students entrepreneurs themselves, what were the demographics of both, where was it located (i.e. did I hate the city), etc.
Were there other opportunities for degrees associated with the MBA (such as a JD, should I be a glutton for punishment)
Were any of the faculty people I’d heard of or particularly want to learn something from
Campus – is it nice or prison-like, does it suit me, does it have a good gym (or is one nearby), is the library renowned for anything and does the B-School have good library facilities and places to work,…
Is it my kind of size? For instance, students to prof ratio may be important to you (it was to me)
How good is their placement service, including internships
Are they leaders in the concentration you anticipate pursuing
Have you looked at the placement information for both of the schools, i.e. do both schools end up sending grads into the industry you’re targeting? The closer school may or may not send more grads into that industry, although given the location your assumption might be valid. Even better, you’d meet part-time students in that industry in your classes!
I just finished an MBA at McMaster and, although it’s an ok school, I’d strongly recommend U of T for a 2 year degree, especially since you mentioned comparable cost. I chose McMaster because of the co-op option, in case that helps.
I’m in grad school right now, but it’s for a masters of music and I can’t make a direct comparison.
I followed the money.
I got into a major music school (university of north texas) and another big music school (Missouri-KC), but went with a smaller school. When I applied and auditioned at schools I picked places that would a.) look good on a resume or b.) had someone I wanted to study guitar with. I chose my school because they gave me a Grad assistant position. I get paid to go to school. It would not have made sense to choose otherwise.
If you wouldn’t mind going to either of the schools, follow the money.
Thanks everyone for the replies. I’m in discussions with the smaller school about additional financial assisstance they may have for me. Hoping they’ll come back with something
[quote]Thomas Gabriel wrote:
Ivey School of Business if you can. That will definitely stand out on a resume. [/quote]
That would be great if I planned on staying in Canada, but I don’t. I’m heading south.
Besides, for an MBA, Queen’s has the better name than Ivey. In the business world there are very mixed reviews about the true caliber of an Ivey MBA.
I hope the negotiations go well. If it is enough to avoid (significant) student loans, then go with the school you are most comfortable with the faculty, etc.
It sounds like you know which industry you want to work in and are actively pursuing your education to obtain a job in that industry.
Which program has the best track record of placing graduates in the industry and position you want?
Pick that one. Prestige is great in general but it doesn’t mean much if a less prestigious school can do a better job giving you what you want.
Financing an MBA can be costly, but worth it if you get what you want out of it. Don’t worry about cost if you can get the funds and loans and the program puts you where you want to be.
Make sure the gyms and sporting goods stores in the area have plenty of squat racks, leg press machines and jock straps for sale though.
And remember, the best laid plans and schedules won’t be worth a shit when group projects start up. Be ready for that.
Good luck She-he! And don’t lose that black dress! It does a fantastic job feminizing you!
[quote]FormerlyTexasGuy wrote:
It sounds like you know which industry you want to work in and are actively pursuing your education to obtain a job in that industry.
Which program has the best track record of placing graduates in the industry and position you want?
Pick that one. Prestige is great in general but it doesn’t mean much if a less prestigious school can do a better job giving you what you want.
Financing an MBA can be costly, but worth it if you get what you want out of it. Don’t worry about cost if you can get the funds and loans and the program puts you where you want to be.
Make sure the gyms and sporting goods stores in the area have plenty of squat racks, leg press machines and jock straps for sale though.
And remember, the best laid plans and schedules won’t be worth a shit when group projects start up. Be ready for that.
Good luck She-he! And don’t lose that black dress! It does a fantastic job feminizing you![/quote]
What a fucking asshole you are FTG.
Your avatar does a great job of feminizing you. Looks like you are ready to take a cum shot to the face.
[quote]FormerlyTexasGuy wrote:
It sounds like you know which industry you want to work in and are actively pursuing your education to obtain a job in that industry.
Which program has the best track record of placing graduates in the industry and position you want?
Pick that one. Prestige is great in general but it doesn’t mean much if a less prestigious school can do a better job giving you what you want.
Financing an MBA can be costly, but worth it if you get what you want out of it. Don’t worry about cost if you can get the funds and loans and the program puts you where you want to be.
Make sure the gyms and sporting goods stores in the area have plenty of squat racks, leg press machines and jock straps for sale though.
And remember, the best laid plans and schedules won’t be worth a shit when group projects start up. Be ready for that.
Good luck She-he! And don’t lose that black dress! It does a fantastic job feminizing you![/quote]
I thank you for the first four paragraphs of your response. Your points were articulated well and are certainly points to considering when choosing a program.
Your last few paragraphs make it seem like you’re trying really hard to be an ass and it’s really quite unnecessary. Nowhere in this thread were your tastes in non-masculine women discussed and it was super childish for you to bring it up. Good on you FTG.
Contrary to the follow the money thing, I would go where you feel the most comfortable. This comes from someone who has not only done a master’s but is starting a PhD in the fall.
Essentially, you are investing money in yourself. If you feel the skill set you will garner at the university will make overcoming the debt an issue, then I would not attend that university. However, that doesn’t seem the issue specifically.
The thing about grad school, especially a small program, is that you are much more a part of the university that you are as an undergraduate student. The more you mesh with the department, the more you will enjoy working with your professors, the more you will enjoy being there, the more involved you will be with the course work, and ultimately the easier networking will be.
Prestige and all of that is nice, but you have to eventually stop worrying about who has the “name”. The name MAY help you get a foot in the door, but in the end it is all you.
If you have faith in yourself and believe in the program to which you applied, then at the end of the day a name matters only so much. The cream rises to the top in the end.
If I were you, I would pick the program that feels like the best fit for you personally. You will more than likely get more out of the experience, and, in the long run, that will pay off more than anything else. The only way I would follow the money is if they are dead even after considering all the various factors.
Myself, I found that none of my employers (2 of them) really paid any attention as to what school I attended, but rather paid attention to my work experience. I’m not sure if the same is true in the MBA world, but I’m in the engineering world.
If it were me, I would avoid debt. Both my wife and I were lucky to finish university without debt. Now with a house and a new born baby, every dollar counts and helps.
I think it’s really what you do with your degree that counts. I’d avoid debt.
