BestGing wrote:
I have a dillema.
I am happy to be admitted to Duke the Fuqua BS in R1.
I like everything in this school: its culture, spirit, location, people, rankings, and "gut feeling".
However, now I am considering whether I should try to apply to MIT Sloan in R2. I have enought time for this shot. But my GMAT is lower than average for MIT for 20-25 points (my is 690).
I like innovation fler of MIT. But the main reason is better ranking (#5 or around) and better recruiting chances. But I am not sure it is the best fit for me.
I am an international student, and I am going to recruit to consulting.
There are so many different opinions about the value of rankings. Someone says Duke is an elite school with a good brand (especially for consulting), someone says it is not ambitious enought.
But will a brand give me additional points? Or may be, will a low brand hurt?
I know that I am not admitted by MIT, and may be won't. However, to apply I should spend money and time. I am not sure I should do it.
My main concern - my school can hurt my chances to receive a job in consulting in USA. I am not familiar with US market, that is why my question may be stupid.
Can you advise me?
It's a dark day where Duke considered a sub-par brand. One of my former professions now teaches at Stanford and he did his MBA at Duke.
You should be feeling good about Duke, and it is a globally recognized brand. I do think MIT is more so, from the halo effect of the university, not as much the B school.
I understand your motivations but it's hard to answer just out of GMAT. From that
vantage point, it is lower than the Duke average of 710, and to my recollection MIT is 716. So that is not what got you into Duke and it definitely won't be what will get you into MIT. What are your strongest qualifications? Duke might not be ambitious enough if you have a 760 like one of my clients but based on GMAT alone, you are lucky to be in at Duke, and especially if you are from an overrepresented applicant pool.
Have you done a campus visit at MIT? It has a very different feel than Duke. Consider where you would best thrive. B school is what you make of it and culture/environment counts for a lot in my book.
I would recommend that you check out the employment reports and look at the numbers recruited into MBB and/or the consulting firms that interest you, accounting for the different in overall class size. At the end of the day, you do need to get a job - however - don't be miserable in the course of arriving at that goal. LBS has round 3 of 4 deadline coming up late Feb and so does INSEAD Round 1 for J-term in due March if either of those appeal, both brands/strong in consulting.
When thinking about the cost of applying to MIT, also factor in that you will need to forfeit your Duke deposit if accepted.
However I don't think that is the best way to make a decision. In fact I don't think expense is really a deciding factor unless it means you can't pay rent.
Another important factor, do you want to do the "cover letter" essay? Do you have something interesting for the optional, like a video or presentation? Are your recommenders willing and able to do another rec form - given that MIT has some extra questions?
Giving you some things to consider!
Good luck!
Farrell
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17 Dec 2016, 15:58
