BC (Full Ride) vs. Tepper ($40K/year)?

Hi and congrats on your admits!

The answer depends a bit on what you want to get out from your MBA. Hiring MBA programs tend to supply more recruiting opportunities. They tend to attract a higher caliber of students, on average and a higher caliber of professors. All of these three things come down to networking and recruiting. At the same time, if you are a sponsored student or your family can help you with an internship or a job opportunity, the rank of the program may not be as critical. Being a US citizen, will help as you know it’s subject to H1B regulations and other complications.

If you were an older applicant with more work experience, the caliber of the program probably means less. Not sure if you’re over 30 or mid 20s. Again if your family can assist with getting introduced and helping you to network with in Boston area, You may as well save money. ESP if you are coming without savings and will have to use student loans for everything.

The flipside is that higher ranked programs tend to have tighter communities and more engaged alumni base. Those alumni am more responsive and usually more patriotic . As with everything in life, the more selective and exclusive, the greater is pride of belonging to that group. Also higher rank programs tend to have more resources for their career services and us more availability and hours, allowing students who need help do you have multiple meetings per week.

One strange thing you wrote, is that you don’t have high aspirations. Why? Are you just being realistic and modest? I think it’s important to be realistic and Not chasing opportunities you have no business chasing but there is a lot to be said about chance and luck in business school. Don’t low ball yourself - aim high and you can always settle later. You are one of a few select people and making a huge career investment - be bold

Back in my day, if I could pull off the cash and loans, I would have gone into Tepper. I was poor and being even poorer was not something I was scared of. I was already poor and very bullish about myself. I’m not the one who gets the latest iPhone model or the best computer but I would’ve aired on the higher rank side. Now my opinion is probably diff but I have to step into your shoes.

PS. Also do some research. Going into consulting in five or 10 years is probably not realistic. They mostly recruit associates and lower level folks. Overtime consulting companies start getting rid of their more seasoned employees because they cost more to maintain and usually not as willing to put in long hours. The whole consulting model is a pyramid and not designed (in general) to recruit older folks unless you can attract clients somehow by being famous or having connections that can drive additional business. Most people can’t handle the pressure for too long. Few last past a 10-year tenure.

Posted from my mobile device