Run34n wrote:
Sorry to revive an old thread, but I'm very fortunate to be in the same position this year as mba762 was last year and need some advice. Full ride Park vs Kellogg with no money.
I'm considering switching careers either into mgt consulting with a tech slant or PM at a tech company. According to Johnson's website, McKinsey and Bain recruit on campus, but Booz and BCG do not. Nor do Apple, Google, Microsoft, or Facebook. However, I have heard Johnson students able to get internships and full time offers at all these companies through off campus recruiting.
All recruit on campus at Kellogg and Kellogg places more, both % of class and hard numbers, into top consulting firms and also into more desirable offices (NYC, SF, Chicago, etc.). Kellogg's career services has also consistently rated among the top 20th percentile in graduate satisfaction the last 20 years according to poetsandquant.
Being debt free when I graduate and being part of the unique leadership program as a Park makes Johnson very attractive. Having a full ride fellowship on my resume would also helps me stand out and get recruiter's attention. However, Kellogg is considered a cut above Johnson, has more access to and places more into top tier recruiters, and has a wider network of alumni to tap into. I also have money saved up so I wouldn't be significantly in debt coming out.
I've visited both campuses and would be happy at either so it's not a matter of cultural fit (though I do admit Chicago is more exciting than Ithaca).
From the recent topic titled "HELP: Kellogg (no $$) vs Fuqua (half $$) vs Darden (full $$)" (I can't link cus I'm a new member), most people would take the full ride. Though UVA is generally considered a slightly better program, I assume the Johnson (full ride) vs Kellogg discussion would be similiar?
mba762 picked Kellogg. I hope he still checks his gmatclub account so he can chime in.
First congrats on the admits to Kellogg and Johnson as well as receiving the Park Fellowship. That's a great honor. You have a tough decision in front of you. While overall Kellogg does have a leg up on Johnson, the Park Fellowship significantly lessens the gap. It's not just about the money, but also the prestige the Park Fellowship brings. That being said, I think the road to M/B/B/Apple/Google/Facebook is still better paved from Kellogg. Johnson is still building recruiting relationships with many top tier companies. While being an applicant from Johnson won't close any doors, you might need to push a little harder to have them opened to you. This is where alums, 2nd year students, professional clubs, and career services come into play. If you feel that Johnson has the resources to facilitate successful "off campus" recruiting at these companies then ultimately both schools will put you at the same end game.
I think it comes down to your risk aversion. I wouldn't say that you're guaranteed a job at these companies if you went to Kellogg, but since they are actively seeking talent there then your chances may be better if you went to Kellogg. However, if you think Johnson offers enough for you to take a calculated gamble then go for it.