Hello GMATclubbers,
First of all, congratulations to everyone who got into their schools and will be matriculating this fall
Every year, we see many School A vs. School B threads. I have always believed that the selection of where to matriculate is a very individual one, just as the decision of where to apply. Most folks feel really strongly about all the schools they apply to, then when they get admitted to multiple schools, it is so very difficult to decide.
I propose that we list down some key metrics by which we can help inform our decisions.
For example, I think the following are definitely points to consider when choosing where to matriculate:
Location
Will you be living in a small town or a big city?
What is the cost of living?
How is the nightlife/social life?
If you have to travel for recruitment etc., is it easy to access major hubs?
Academics
How is the strength of the programs in your desired field?
How do you gauge the quality of your potential peers, i.e. diversity, achievements etc.? (based on previous class profiles)
What are the extra-curricular activities/leadership opportunities that you can take advantage of?
Cost
What is the rent like in a decent location?
What is the cost of living?
What is the cost of recruiting, i.e. travelling, accommodations etc.?
Have you received any scholarships or GA/TA positions?
Recruitment
Do the companies you want to work for come to recruit on campus? Do they hire for your desired roles?
How strong is the career centre for your desired industry/companies/roles?
Will you have to self-search more than rely on career management centre?
Are alumni responsive to cold emails/calls for informational interviews etc.?
Are alumni scattered nationally/internationally or do they tend to be more regional?
What are the typical salaries for someone in your desired role/industry?
Brand
How is the brand of the university and business school? Is it suitable for your desired role/industry/company?
These are just some factors that I think would be useful to look at when considering where to matriculate. In no way is it exhaustive, nor does every factor apply to everybody.
What do you guys think? Do some factors I have suggested hear not matter to you? Do you have other factors that you are considering but I've missed out on?