IESE ($$) vs Emory ($$$) vs Vanderbilt (100%) MBA

Hi,

I would love to have your help on a tough MBA decision for me.

A. My profile:

+ Female from a lower-income Southeast Asian country
+ 6 YOE in CPG Marketing (Local big name, not a well-known global brand)
+ Looking to switch to consulting. I’m open to do consulting in any geography actually, whether it’s US, Europe, Middle East or Southeast Asia (SEA). But eventually I want to come back to SEA

B. My current MBA admits:

1) IESE: 50% scholarship with a named award (opportunities to network)

2) Emory: 80ish % scholarship (merit-based)

3) Owen Vanderbilt: 100% scholarship with a named award (opportunities to network)

=> With Emory having higher rankings and better consulting placement than Owen, I think I have to choose between: IESE and Emory

C. My Analysis on 2 schools

1) Consulting Placement:

+ Both have their best regions: IESE in Europe / Middle East, Emory in the US
+ In my long-term geography Southeast-Asia or my country, both have weak networks there

2) Reputation: Both have low reputations in SEA/my country with respective perceptions:

+ IESE: A top 5/ top 3 business school in the world by Financial Times if actively searching for it. If not searching, then IESE is basically nobody

+ Emory: An US MBA - US / UK education is perceived as superior in my country compared to Spain/Europe. But again, it’s if they actively searching

3) Alumni network in SEA: Both are kinda weak

+ IESE: One BCG partner and a few consultants in SEA. But I’m not sure a partner could really help in recruiting scenarios (I heard that mostly consultants do the job of recommendation)
+ Emory: A few consultants in SEA

4) Financial investment: Kinda the same with $80K the rest of tuition + living fee. Emory gives more in scholarship but the cost of living is also higher

5) Other recruitment POV: Emory in Atlanta has big CPG companies (i.g. Coca Cola) so it might help if I can’t secure a consulting offer

I really want to have a few thoughts on this aspect because it’s really a hard choice for me. Thank you in advance

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