Darden ($) vs McDonough (FULL $$) [Solved: McDonough]

Question

So I got into both Darden with a 1/3 scholarship and McDonough with a full ride. Taking into consideration cost of living over the two years I would owe ~$110k with Darden and only $10k at McDonough.

I am looking to pivot into brand marketing and remain in the DC area so I want to know - is the ranking/prestige of Darden work $100k more than an MBA from a still strong program?

Posted from my mobile device

FinanceMan · Answer

If you are wanting to remain in the Washington DC area, I do not see an issue with Georgetown. Full-Ride and in the city you want to be long-term? Sounds like a very sensible decision.

Posted from my mobile device

ANALysis · Answer

voted for McD

don't think darden is 100k better. also darden is in the middle of nowhere

amazingguy · Answer

I am current FY at Darden. Long term, I believe Darden has a considerable advantage in terms of the breadth of the alumni network and reputation as a solid T15.

In the short term, please make sure your career goals are aligned with what the school is able to offer you. If you are 100% sure you want to go into Brand Marketing, McDonough will get you there and Darden will not provide you with a significant advantage. But if you are even slightly considering consulting, banking, or leadership development programs, then come to Darden.

For consulting, MBB recruits in very few numbers outside of T15. I know Darden places around 45 people in MBB each year (approx.15% of the class). Banking is excellent at Darden as well-almost everyone who recruited for IB had offers. Darden has many companies such as 3M, Danaher, Davita, Mastercard, etc., that recruit for their flagship LDP, providing the recruits fast track promotion to senior management. All these opportunities will be difficult to come by at McDonough. However, if you are looking at marketing at CPG (P&G, Unilever etc.,), Retail, and to some extent Tech, McDonough will provide with similar exposure to Darden as these companies tend to recruit at programs below T15 as well.

Hope this was useful!

Regenerate · Answer

i wish I knew how much value there is when recruiting for a FT job to be able to tell the recruiter you're attending school on a full ride.

My suspicion is there is GREAT value in that ... but I don't know.

My heart says Darden.

My head says McDonough and start hustling now bu by contacting your target companies and telling them you're excited to attend McDonough on a full ride and that you're looking forward to meeting them during on campus recruiting, or if they'd rather, for you to come to their office at a mutually convenient time. That's what I'd do.

Besides, there is ENORMOUS value in being debt free (or nearly so).

Posted from my mobile device

bb · Answer

Heard back from the OP:

Darden ($) vs McDonough (FULL $$) [Solved: McDonough]

Which school?? Darden vs McDonough (FULL$)

Prep Toolkit

Top 5 GMAT Debrief Videos

615 to 715 in 15 Days (Ria's Strategies)

More than Quant/Verbal Abilities: Speed vs. Accuracy

745 with Only Self-Prep and GMAT Club

From 555 to 765: 210-point Improvement

Perfect 805 Score Debrief by Julia

My Rewards