Current Student
Joined: 11 Oct 2019
Posts: 19
Given Kudos: 9
Location: South Africa
GPA: 3.08
WE:Brand Management (Commercial Banking)
Booth (EMBA London) vs Kellogg MMM vs Tuck
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24 Dec 2020, 10:47
Hi GMAT Club,
I have a difficult decision to make between some very different programs.
I’m a former management consultant currently working as a product manager in commercial banking. I’m interested in moving into fintech or continuing to build my credibility as a product manager in banking, preferably working with emerging technologies such as blockchain.
In terms of location, I’d prefer the US but I’d be open to moving to the UK as a transitional career step. The companies that interest me would be smaller companies like Ripple, Square, Stripe etc. and not so much the FAANG firms. I’d also be interested in advancing the career I have now at a larger bank in UK or US. I’m most interested in product or strategy roles. I’m South African and I don’t have another passport.
My thinking about the different options is as follows:
Tuck
Pros
• $40k scholarship
• welcoming community that really goes the extra mile to help Tuckies find opportunities
• nice change of pace in a remote setting
• I have a small network of Tuckies already because I was set to go this year before COVID
Cons
• Fewer alumni in tech and fintech, although this is improving quickly
• Higher opportunity cost than Booth
• Can only take electives towards the end of the first year – may not be good from a recruitment perspective
Kellogg
Pros
• MS in Design Innovation might help shape my career story when recruiting
• Tight knit MMM community might help build a stronger network with classmates
• Best marketing reputation – this is an area I want to learn more about as a product manager
Cons
• Most expensive option - $250k excluding opportunity cost
• Most of the tech recruiting resources seem to be geared towards FAANG
• Network responsiveness not quite as strong as Tuck
Booth
Pros
• Best ROI by far since I can continue working
• Can continue to grow my credentials as a product manager in banking which I can leverage to change location and possibly switch to a product role at a fintech
• Will probably learn more in the classroom since my peers will be a lot more experienced
• Same degree, professors, requirements etc. as the full time MBA
• Arguably the best business school brand outside of HS
Cons
• Rough experience – will need to spend 1 out of every 5 weeks in London for almost 2 years
• Switching location and possibly industry (banking to fintech) will be more difficult, but not impossible
• Not sure how responsive the Booth network is compared to the other two
• Not sure how I’ll get a job in the US without OPT – I guess I would have to get a job at a US multinational and do an intracompany transfer with an L1 visa (any insights on this would be very helpful)
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