nrobinson wrote:
I've seen a lot of folks on here trying to make this decision (Booth for about $30k or Ross with a full ride through the consortium) However, I wanted to take a poll on my particular situation, given that I went to U of M for undergrad and have worked in Michigan every sense. I've travelled a lot and made a fair amount of relationships in other major cities, including Chicago. But the core of my network is here in Michigan. Is the Chicago alumni network worth the additional investment? Is it smart to forfeit the consortium network for the Chicago network? (I couldnt do the consortium if I dont go to Michigan)
I should also note that I am currently an Account Director in advertising with 7 years of experience. My goal is to go into brand management or marketing consulting. Michigan is higher ranked (US News) and better known for Marketing (or so I hear). However, Chicago's program is viewed as being more quantitatively focused, which would not be ideal, comprehensive training for those just entering the field, but as a person who has spent the last 7 years mastering the creative/tactical execution side of marketing (i.e. advertising), Im wondering if a highly quantitative program would help round out my resume.
At the end of the day, I know that I could get a good job coming out of either program. Im really just asking myself if having the Ultra-Elite Booth name behind me in the long-term is worth the investment? Will recruiters not like kindly on somone who doubled down on the same school in their home town? 5-10 years after graduation I would still be paying back loans, but will people still be talking about where I went to school? Or at that point is it all about what numbers you are putting on the board?
Thanks for your input!
I think you'll do fine either place. I'm currently wait listed at a school where I went to undergrad, and I concern of mine even if I get off the wait list, is "doubling down," even at a school that is rated in the top 10 for both undergrad and b-school. I don't think diversity is ever a bad thing on a resume since it shows you have passed two seperate screeing process. That being said, Ross and U of M undergrad are both great programs so you won't get penalized (especially if you stay in the Midwest).
I think it comes down to fit and whether or not you want a new experience. Your b-school matters most for your internship and first job. After that, once you can say you went to a "top 15 school" I'm not sure it really matters much if at all, and it definitely matters less than your work experience. Is this worth another $100k in investment? That is up to you.
I do not the marketing program at Booth is very strong, and as you said it is very quant based. However, I've heard that is the way marketing is trending (I am by no means an expert) so this may be a good thing. On the other hand Ross has the largest alumni network in the world, so I'm not sure how much you are losing out by going there vs. Booth.
I know I'm a bit over the map here, but I think you can't go wrong so go with your gut. If you were coming from a different undergrad school, I would probably say go with Ross and the extra cash, but since you may want a new experience and network, Booth may be the better choice.
Congrats on getting in to two great schools.