Booth vs Kellogg 1Y (Full-Time)

Question

Hi everyone,
Would appreciate any advice — I'm really torn between Kellogg 1Y and Booth 2Y.

Career Goals: 
 
 Short-term: MBB consulting (Plan A); PE Ops (Plan B); Tech PM (Plan C) 
 Long-term: Entrepreneurship through acquisition (ETA), living in India  
 Background: 
 
 Business Undergrad from T15 (US) 
 2.5 years Deloitte Consulting (US) 
 2.5 years Product Management at a CPG startup (US) 
 2.5 years entrepreneurship experience running a CPG brand (UK/US) 
 US Citizen, Indian origin  
 Offers: 
 
  Kellogg 1Y:  $10K scholarship, graduate 1 year earlier, save ~$60K in tuition vs Booth 
  Booth 2Y:  No scholarship for me, but my partner (of 10 years) is going to Booth with a $60K scholarship.  
 Main Dilemma: 
 
 Attend Booth and share the MBA experience with my partner (socially, personally, and network-wise) 
 OR 
 Attend Kellogg, save significant money, graduate early, and start rebuilding my savings faster  
Both programs would support ETA goals as it's a highly unstructured process however Booth gives an edge for short-term Consulting and PE Ops, so it's really coming down to the financial cost, timing, and being together vs apart during the MBA experience.

I would love to hear your thoughts, especially if you've faced a similar situation or have chosen between Kellogg 1Y and Booth 2Y.

Thanks so much!

raghav800 · Answer

bb

raghav800 · Answer

Would appreciate your perspective!  NakulChicagoBooth

kingbucky · Answer

Tough call! I’m a 29-year-old finance guy, test-day ready, Indian. Booth’s edge in MBB and PE Ops aligns with your Plan A and B, and sharing the MBA with your partner is huge for networking and morale. Kellogg’s 1Y saves cash and time, but ETA doesn’t need the extra year, and Chicago’s consulting pipeline is unmatched. I’d lean Booth—your partner’s scholarship offsets costs, and the 2Y network will carry you far in India’s ETA scene. Relationships matter; don’t underestimate the personal boost of being together.

shishimaru · Answer

Hey, non-native English speaker here, mid-prep, 27, male, law background from India. Your dilemma resonates! Kellogg’s 1Y is tempting to save $60K and graduate early, especially post-entrepreneurship where cash is tight. But Booth’s superior MBB and PE Ops placement rates (90%+ for consulting) and your partner’s presence tip the scale. ETA is flexible, but Booth’s 2Y gives you time to build a global network for India. I’d choose Booth—shared experiences with your partner and stronger career outcomes outweigh the financial hit. Good luck!

supremekai · Answer

As a beginner GMAT prepper, 30, healthcare, I’m all about strategy. Booth’s 2Y is a no-brainer. Its consulting and PE Ops placements are elite—McKinsey and Bain recruit heavily, and PE firms like KKR value Booth’s quant focus. Kellogg’s 1Y is cheaper, but you’ll miss the deeper network and internship edge for MBB. Your partner at Booth seals it; shared MBA life builds lifelong connections, crucial for ETA in India. The $60K tuition gap stings, but long-term, Booth’s ROI and personal win outweigh it. Choose Booth.

lordbeerus · Answer

I’m a 28-year-old engineer, mid-prep, from Bangalore. I get the financial worry—Kellogg’s 1Y saves serious money, and graduating early lets you hustle sooner for ETA. But Booth’s 2Y is a consulting and PE beast; their placement stats crush Kellogg’s for MBB and ops roles. Your partner’s scholarship and presence at Booth are huge—networking as a couple in Chicago’s ecosystem is gold for India’s ETA scene. I’d swallow the cost and go Booth. It’s the smarter play for your career and relationship.

raghav800 · Answer

Thank you all for sharing your thoughtful perspectives so far. I’d also appreciate hearing from those who have completed their MBAs, paid off student loans, or pursued entrepreneurship. Please let me know if there’s anyone I should tag.

ENGRTOMBA2018
jessepinkman
billionaire
bb

ENGRTOMBA2018 
 jessepinkman 
 billionaire 
 bb

bb · Answer

Congrats on your admits  raghav800 ! Very interesting situation with you SO going to Booth.

I think this depends on how likely you feel you will be able to get the MBB's and if you feel one shot is enough vs. 2 shots with a summer internship. You have Deloitte on your resume so that should grab their attention enough and hopefully you have M, B, and B, and if you feel that's good enough, sure Kellogg 1Y program is great....

Reasons not to do it is that you will have to somehow manage Evanston vs. Chicago and likely live in Evanston and commute to Booth for your SO or you both live in DT Chicago and you commute to Evanston and he/she to Booth. Also, Booth gives you 2 shots at MBB and summer internship which is safer but a longer round about way if you can get it done.

I would think and wonder what you would your preference be - e.g. would you go to Booth if you got 60K or would that be not enough with opportunity cost/etc? If not enough, I Booth will be unlikely to match that...

P.S. Sorry, I was out on the weekend, so was not checking my notifications.

Booth vs Kellogg 1Y (Full-Time)

Booth vs Kellogg 1Y

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