DC and Virginia schools - Darden vs. McDonough vs. Smith

You are welcome. McD has very rigorous curriculum as well, actually they have more core couses than electives. It is definitely the best in DC area in terms of what you can learn. I think the reason they emphasize on job placements and salary was to attract the main stream MBA applicants and as well, like you said, convince people that the high tuition is worthwhile (20k -50k difference than other programs in DC do make a difference). But Darden has even higher placement rates and starting salary, so I guess it is just one of the elements business schools focus on, as most of the full time applicants do not have sponsorships (not as lucky as you), and they do take an MBA degree as a bridge to a high paid job later. Most sponsored MBAs are in professional part-time or Executive program.

Btw, with your 10-year experience, you definitely can also apply for EMBA and it might be more fitting to your needs for going back to the same company, have you had a look at that?

Otherwise if you really want to do a full-time 2 year MBA, still Darden will be the best among all your choices so far, but again, try to think through about how to manage the distance with your significant other, and where do you want to stay and build up your connections during and post MBA.

I've considered the EMBA and part-time programs, but the main issue with that is that my office will pay whether it's a full-time program or a part-time program. However, if it's a part-time program, I have to keep working and still have the same commitment of years to return to the job, so I feel like I would get the most benefit by going full time and not killing myself with the schedule for those years. At this point I'm still planning to apply to all three schools, and I'm hoping I'll get some clarity after my visit to Darden in a few weeks and once I get decisions from the schools. For example, if Darden offers me nothing and Smith or McDonough offers 100%, I wouldn't pick Darden, even if it seems to be the better school.

Which school did you end up choosing, btw?

Still deciding.... You can see my post here
mcdonough-5k-vs-smith-95k-vs-gwu-90k-vs-kogod-73k-169074.html#p1347115

I will/have to decide soon in the next 3-4 weeks, so you may see my decision then.

Full-disclosure I looked at Darden and Gtown and applied to the latter as a potential back-up.

Honestly, with your scores Darden is absolutely in play and the only one you should seriously be considering long-term unless you plan to just stay in your current field (government jobs tend to not put a huge premium on pedigree at the post-graduate level and more simply care about checking the box). Georgetown is okay if you plan on staying in DC and in your current job, but is still fairly shakey. As for UMD-Smith, I don't know much about it so I will refrain from comment.

At the end of the day if you ever plan on leaving government or even moving to a less civil service oriented position, Darden is the only way to go IMO.

Addendum: Given your scores and GPA, have you considered applying outside of DC? I mean you'd have a fair shout at any top 15 school, and depending on execution, HSW...

I think this is a good idea, Wharton also isn't much further from DC than Darden. With your numbers most schools in DC are likely fairly safe and I would think you have a decent shot at a scholarship.

Thanks, flyte and Webster. I appreciate the input. I have a lot of reasons for not wanting to apply to schools outside the DC/Virginia area.

Since I'm trying to do my MBA through a sponsorship (with the government), I have to take into account that they favor programs in the DC area, and with Smith and McDonough, I have a good shot at the sponsorship whether or not I get a scholarship. I figured Darden is close enough that if I get some kind of tuition assistance, my office might be willing to consider it, because it's feasible that I could come back and work during breaks, but I'm not willing to go much farther than that.

I know Wharton is only slightly farther, but I feel like that's such a top school that I probably wouldn't be able to get enough of a scholarship to motivate my office to let me go outside the DC area. Also, knowing that my office favors DC area schools, it would look kind of bad if I asked my supervisors to write me recommendations for schools to far outside the metro area, and on top of that, my boyfriend will continue working in the DC area while I'm in school, so I want to be within a reasonable distance.

But then again, the set of schools I'm considering has changed a lot from when I started my search, and R1 applications are still 6 months away, so it's highly possible that I'll change my mind again

If you think you'll have time to work for the government part-time while attending a full time MBA, you are in for a rude awakening.

Thanks for the response, noodlesnyc. I'm not sure where you got the idea that I was intending to work part-time while attending a full-time MBA, as I'm not planning to do that. I said explicitly that I would be expected to work during breaks only, meaning spring break, summer vacation, etc.