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TheFloridian
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Joined: 13 Apr 2014
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Schools: Kenan-Flagler '18 (A$) Owen '18 (M$) Kellogg '18 (D) Goizueta '18 (A$) Ross '18 (A$)
GMAT 1: 770 Q49 V48
GPA: 3.6
Products:
My Reviews
Schools: Kenan-Flagler '18 (A$) Owen '18 (M$) Kellogg '18 (D) Goizueta '18 (A$) Ross '18 (A$)
GMAT 1: 770 Q49 V48
Posts: 173
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Are the top schools the best option? 06 Jul 2015, 19:21
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Hello GMATClubbers,

Thanks for reading. I am primarily looking for school recommendations. I feel that I have the stats to potentially be admitted to an M7 school, which would be awesome. The prestige, salary level, professor quality, student quality, etc. that come with a Top 10 MBA are hard to deny.

On the other hand, I have always lived in the Southeast and I have three (soon to be four) generations of family-- all living in the Southeast US. I would like to live in the Southeast, not necessarily immediately after b-school, but one day. I have heard that recruiting for marketing is highly regional and that the first post-MBA job offer is one of the most important things an MBA brings. This leads me to believe that an MBA from a program in the southeast may be the best option for me.. A school in the southeast would also give me an alumni network in my immediate vicinity, more relevant on-campus recruiting, and a lower cost of living. However, the professor/student quality, salary, and prestige level would all be less than at an M7, obviously.

Any thoughts about what I should be considering as I make my decision? Or any questions you think I should be asking myself? I appreciate any replies. Thank you!

Academics:
770 GMAT
3.6 GPA from top state university

Career:
2 years as a marketing analyst, promoted, then 2 years as a manager
= 4 years FT experience at matriculation
Promoted to manager level at youngest age in company history (company has >5,000 employees). Have worked extensively alongside C-level executives and been given a high level of responsibility.

Outside of work:
Heavily involved in leadership at local church
Serve meals at local halfway house
Played in marching band in college

Target schools:
Stanford GSB
Kellogg
Kenan-Flagler
Goizueta
Owen

Post-MBA: Marketing within Fortune 500 CPG, tech, or services firm
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Porkbun123
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Are the top schools the best option? 06 Jul 2015, 19:56
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No Duke Fuqua? Arguably the strongest school for the south.
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MBADecoder
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Are the top schools the best option? 07 Jul 2015, 05:31
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TheFloridian
Hello GMATClubbers,

Thanks for reading. I am primarily looking for school recommendations. I feel that I have the stats to potentially be admitted to an M7 school, which would be awesome. The prestige, salary level, professor quality, student quality, etc. that come with a Top 10 MBA are hard to deny.

On the other hand, I have always lived in the Southeast and I have three (soon to be four) generations of family-- all living in the Southeast US. I would like to live in the Southeast, not necessarily immediately after b-school, but one day. I have heard that recruiting for marketing is highly regional and that the first post-MBA job offer is one of the most important things an MBA brings. This leads me to believe that an MBA from a program in the southeast may be the best option for me.. A school in the southeast would also give me an alumni network in my immediate vicinity, more relevant on-campus recruiting, and a lower cost of living. However, the professor/student quality, salary, and prestige level would all be less than at an M7, obviously.

Any thoughts about what I should be considering as I make my decision? Or any questions you think I should be asking myself? I appreciate any replies. Thank you!

Academics:
770 GMAT
3.6 GPA from top state university

Career:
2 years as a marketing analyst, promoted, then 2 years as a manager
= 4 years FT experience at matriculation
Promoted to manager level at youngest age in company history (company has >5,000 employees). Have worked extensively alongside C-level executives and been given a high level of responsibility.

Outside of work:
Heavily involved in leadership at local church
Serve meals at local halfway house
Played in marching band in college

Target schools:
Stanford GSB
Kellogg
Kenan-Flagler
Goizueta
Owen

Post-MBA: Marketing within Fortune 500 CPG, tech, or services firm
Show more


"South east" seems to be your comfort zone. It looks like the time to fly farther! That's the purpose of the MBA, right? To stretch yourself (like never before)!.
Your stats spell that you have the potential.

Consider some other programs that are strong in marketing: Ross, Booth, Haas, Stern, Wharton.
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TheFloridian
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Last visit: 23 Jan 2024
Posts: 173
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96
Given Kudos: 92
Schools: Kenan-Flagler '18 (A$) Owen '18 (M$) Kellogg '18 (D) Goizueta '18 (A$) Ross '18 (A$)
GMAT 1: 770 Q49 V48
GPA: 3.6
Products:
My Reviews
Schools: Kenan-Flagler '18 (A$) Owen '18 (M$) Kellogg '18 (D) Goizueta '18 (A$) Ross '18 (A$)
GMAT 1: 770 Q49 V48
Posts: 173
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Are the top schools the best option? 07 Jul 2015, 15:41
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Porkbun123
No Duke Fuqua? Arguably the strongest school for the south.
Show more

Good call porkbun. Fuqua should be on my list. I didn't have them on there because they send a much lower percentage of students into marketing roles in the south than the other three. But after several recent conversations with family and colleagues I agree Fuqua should be on my list.

The question still remains as to whether Fuqua or any of the other 3 are a better option than an M7 school given my situation.

Target schools:
Stanford GSB
Kellogg
Fuqua
Kenan-Flagler
Goizueta
Owen
User avatar
TheFloridian
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Joined: 13 Apr 2014
Last visit: 23 Jan 2024
Posts: 173
Own Kudos:
96
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Schools: Kenan-Flagler '18 (A$) Owen '18 (M$) Kellogg '18 (D) Goizueta '18 (A$) Ross '18 (A$)
GMAT 1: 770 Q49 V48
GPA: 3.6
Products:
My Reviews
Schools: Kenan-Flagler '18 (A$) Owen '18 (M$) Kellogg '18 (D) Goizueta '18 (A$) Ross '18 (A$)
GMAT 1: 770 Q49 V48
Posts: 173
Kudos: 96
Are the top schools the best option? 07 Jul 2015, 16:17
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MBADecoder


"South east" seems to be your comfort zone. It looks like the time to fly farther! That's the purpose of the MBA, right? To stretch yourself (like never before)!.
Your stats spell that you have the potential.

Consider some other programs that are strong in marketing: Ross, Booth, Haas, Stern, Wharton.
Show more

Thanks for the perspective Namita.

So no concerns about the core of the recruiting and alumni networks of those schools being centered in the Northeast/Midwest? If I did try to find a job in the Southeast after graduation, would I have a harder time since those companies don't recruit on campus? And would I miss out on the advantages the alumni network brings if I moved to the Southeast after graduation?

Or are you suggesting by your comment that I should consider other post-MBA working locations too? :lol:
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Are the top schools the best option? 08 Jul 2015, 11:19
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TheFloridian
MBADecoder


Thanks for the perspective Namita.

So no concerns about the core of the recruiting and alumni networks of those schools being centered in the Northeast/Midwest? If I did try to find a job in the Southeast after graduation, would I have a harder time since those companies don't recruit on campus? And would I miss out on the advantages the alumni network brings if I moved to the Southeast after graduation?

Or are you suggesting by your comment that I should consider other post-MBA working locations too? :lol:
Show more

If you look at the employment stats of the b-schools you or I have mentioned, you will see that the students work across the US. I agree that most students are concentrated in the regions close to the b-school location. Infact, the larger clusters are around North east, west coast and mid west! But if you have to find a job at the other end (say South-East), you will find your way! Career services have the resources to help you.

Being an international myself, I think of the alumni network more as a global community. According to me, regional differences don't matter so much.
What I was trying to put across to you is that if you have the potential to get into better schools, then you should definitely apply to those, rather than limiting yourself to a few.

Infact you have written in your first post that you don't mind working in locations other than down south.
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TheFloridian
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Joined: 13 Apr 2014
Last visit: 23 Jan 2024
Posts: 173
Own Kudos:
96
Given Kudos: 92
Schools: Kenan-Flagler '18 (A$) Owen '18 (M$) Kellogg '18 (D) Goizueta '18 (A$) Ross '18 (A$)
GMAT 1: 770 Q49 V48
GPA: 3.6
Products:
My Reviews
Schools: Kenan-Flagler '18 (A$) Owen '18 (M$) Kellogg '18 (D) Goizueta '18 (A$) Ross '18 (A$)
GMAT 1: 770 Q49 V48
Posts: 173
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Are the top schools the best option? 08 Jul 2015, 19:20
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MBADecoder


If you look at the employment stats of the b-schools you or I have mentioned, you will see that the students work across the US. I agree that most students are concentrated in the regions close to the b-school location. Infact, the larger clusters are around North east, west coast and mid west! But if you have to find a job at the other end (say South-East), you will find your way! Career services have the resources to help you.

Being an international myself, I think of the alumni network more as a global community. According to me, regional differences don't matter so much.
What I was trying to put across to you is that if you have the potential to get into better schools, then you should definitely apply to those, rather than limiting yourself to a few.

Infact you have written in your first post that you don't mind working in locations other than down south.
Show more

Great points. Thanks for the push out of the comfort zone.
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AugustAcademy
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Are the top schools the best option? 09 Jul 2015, 00:12
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Hi,

You have a great GMAT, and a solid GPA. I would need more details about the quality of your work experience - but I will take what you say at face value for right now.

If you can get into an M7 (this will become clearer only when we have more discussions about the work ex - as above), you should go to an M7. This is my personal philosophy. Get a global network and a global brand - and then do the extra leg work to re-establish base in your area upon graduation.

That part is probably going to be more work than studying at a local school - but over the course of a 30 - 40 year career, having the big brand on your resume will pay huge dividends.

This only because I think you have the potential to go bigger :)

Regards,
Karthik

TheFloridian
Hello GMATClubbers,

Thanks for reading. I am primarily looking for school recommendations. I feel that I have the stats to potentially be admitted to an M7 school, which would be awesome. The prestige, salary level, professor quality, student quality, etc. that come with a Top 10 MBA are hard to deny.

On the other hand, I have always lived in the Southeast and I have three (soon to be four) generations of family-- all living in the Southeast US. I would like to live in the Southeast, not necessarily immediately after b-school, but one day. I have heard that recruiting for marketing is highly regional and that the first post-MBA job offer is one of the most important things an MBA brings. This leads me to believe that an MBA from a program in the southeast may be the best option for me.. A school in the southeast would also give me an alumni network in my immediate vicinity, more relevant on-campus recruiting, and a lower cost of living. However, the professor/student quality, salary, and prestige level would all be less than at an M7, obviously.

Any thoughts about what I should be considering as I make my decision? Or any questions you think I should be asking myself? I appreciate any replies. Thank you!

Academics:
770 GMAT
3.6 GPA from top state university

Career:
2 years as a marketing analyst, promoted, then 2 years as a manager
= 4 years FT experience at matriculation
Promoted to manager level at youngest age in company history (company has >5,000 employees). Have worked extensively alongside C-level executives and been given a high level of responsibility.

Outside of work:
Heavily involved in leadership at local church
Serve meals at local halfway house
Played in marching band in college

Target schools:
Stanford GSB
Kellogg
Kenan-Flagler
Goizueta
Owen

Post-MBA: Marketing within Fortune 500 CPG, tech, or services firm
Show more
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fxMBAconsulting
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Are the top schools the best option? 31 Jul 2015, 12:02
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Your profile looks good at first glance in terms of the stats, extracurriculars and the promotions. I'd like to know where you're working exactly though as that will play into the way the adcom evaluates your profile.

I think you have a pretty good grasp on what an MBA is worth. A top MBA is like the color black, you can where it anywhere with anything. So if you got into Chicago you have the option to work anywhere (including the Southwest) whereas if you go to a more regional school like say Texas McCombs - the brand just doesn't have the same reach beyond a certain geographic/cultural area IMHO.

I'd have to see your full profile but my guess is that Stanford is out of reach and I might take that off the table. The other schools you shortlisted look totally fine. Kellogg as a reach and the others as target/safety. The advantage with Kellogg is that you can get in front of the adcom via the video interview and since you're in markting I'm sure you present well - that will be an advantage.
Check out my Video Essay page here https://fxmbaconsulting.com/kellogg-vide ... cing-here/