Poll: How Much Does the MBA Brand Name Matter to You?

Here is a thread that has dealt with this in the past and decisions people made (I will try to find some more)
Booth Full Ride vs HBS - Poll with 126 votes and 5 pages of discussions

The thread BB posted had some great points. Interestingly, the names I recognize as students/alums of schools pretty much said Booth. Now if it was HBS vs a school in the high teens, I think it might have been a different story. But those of us paying what amounts to a small mortgage would say as long as the two schools are in the same tier and there isn't any huge difference in terms of career opportunities for what you want to do, hands down take the full ride. If it was 15k a year that is a different story...but the difference between 150k worth of debt and a few grand a month in loan payments vs no debt is huge right out of school.

BB, was an interesting read.. this post seems a bit different.. measuring t10 to t20 and so-forth. An M7 with debt vs a T15 without debt.. I'm taking the M7 all day... schools within the M7.. I would have to say take the money.

Yes agreed - not apples to apples (though relevant when it comes to choosing schools esp. ones that are so close in rankings and so far away in the cost)

I agree. It is quite pressing if you have a $1.5-2K a month payment on your student loans - you can't be an entrepreneur, that's for one. Startup at that point is out of question and the stress of making the payment is not helping either (though I doubt you will have too much hassle finding at least some kind of a job).

There has to be something said about the budget after graduating.
Keep in mind that if you are a "normal" student, you will have quite a few expenses after you graduate:
- Move
- Get new clothes (most likely your older stuff won't fit you due to the weight you gain during those all-nighters)
- Renting
- Buying a new car (potentially)
- Other costs

Your savings will be exhausted at that point and you will potentially have credit card debt (most likely). Having a sign up bonus is very helpful (that's what it is designed to mitigate) but it is not always offered.

On the other hand, you will be making 100,000+ and in a higher tax bracket, so if you made 60K and took 50 home, you will now only take 65% or less. No deduction for Student Loan interest with that income either.... so it adds up to the burden. Not having a loan is very helpful...

Agreed.. a lot of financial discipline required to rid yourself of the debt in a timely manner to pursue ventures like startups or other avenue. Hopefully CBS gives me some kinda money... otherwise I'll be working a part-time job starting spring semester and my 2nd year to mitigate costs... even with my savings.. I'm expecting a hefty debt load. I think you touched on some key points. The new clothes... that's something people don't consider. If you're rebuying a bunch of brooks brothers shirts, pants, shoes, etc.. you're looking at 1-2K to just get a wardrobe established to show up... it all adds up. However, if you're responsible and pay down the debt and live reasonably for a few years.. it gets much better