FT MBA Tepper vs EMBA Chicago Booth vs FEMBA UCLA Anderson

Question

I searched for discussions in the interwebz about this, but I couldn't find a satisfactory answer. So I decided to bring this to you guys.

I am 40 right now, and I am a career switcher. I have been working with media regulations from the government side, and now I want to go back to the private sector. I am mostly interested in the tech and media industries, especially in the US. I am applying for a green card. Since I have an American sibling, I am entitled to that, but it will take around 10 years to get it. So I intend to apply for a job, probably in California, since most of both industries is located there.

I applied to most FT MBAs, but I was pointed out that my GMAT scores were not a big issue as my age. The one that was the most receptive was Tepper, and I believe I have a strong chance there. In fact, CMU was a dream school in my youth, when I was starting as a software developer, and also they made great contributions in economics. I know it's a strong program in tech and many consulting firms hire there. I have asking around and the reputation of the program seems solid. In fact, from where I see it, it should be ranked much higher. And the Tepper Quad, being the new heart of CMU, makes it extremely interesting and unique. I believe it will be the first top-tier MBA program and business school to be the center of a university. THat is very impressive. I will have my final answer next week.

I have already been accepted to the Chicago Booth EMBA, and while is does not have as many labs and classes as the FT MBA, it is consistently as #1 or #2 in different sources. I also learned that EMBA alumnis can take MBA classes whenever they want throughout their career, and those classes seem really great. The program has one-week classes every five weeks, and I would have to travel to London, Chicago and Hong Kong. Booth has a huge alumni network, and people in very strategic positions. So it is a program that seems to be able to open doors. I am not sure though if it does for media and tech. I would like some input on that.

And finally, I just applied to Anderson's FEMBA. It is strategically located, and I would not have to travel so much, just staying in on city. I know UCLA has a solid reputation, but I would like to know how it compares to the other two. I would also like to know if it would really open more doors in LA or the Bay Area than any other of the two program. Is Booth's reputation for the EMBA so much better that it would help me find a job easier that FEMBA? Or it does not really matter, and FEMBA, due to being in LA and being flexible, would make me more interesting to hire?

So, one program is a FT MBA, the other is an EMBA and the latter a Part-Time MBA. Which one would be better for an experienced professional looking for a career switch in the US?

Mo2men · Answer

Congrats for your admit

I think the problem of not being admitted to other FT is not only age. IMHO, It is age problem connected to switching career inline with schools specialty that they offer to their students as very few in top FT programs provide access to media, if not mistaken.

When I approach you situation, I would choose the best schools that gives acceptability to media industry and reputation would not be my concern. I think being in LA is a plus but does UCLA career service assist their students in job opportunities?? You must visit the school or connect with career service to know more. If you join Tapper, would it help you? have you talked with current student with same interest?

When you mentioned "I was pointed out that my GMAT scores were not a big issue as my age", did you get this from schools directly?

WildKat · Answer

Hey,  Mo2men ! Thanks for the reply!

Well, the thing is that most of the top schools are either focused on consulting or finance. So, as you said, most of the are not concerned with the media industry. UCLA, on the other hand, considers the media industry a major employer and they do have a media/entertainment track in their FT MBA. Not so much for the FEMBA, but FEMBA students have access to the clubs and associations inside Anderson, in a much larger proportion than I have ever seen in any other EMBA program, even Booth. I don't know about their FEMBA career center. I couldn' find many people discussing it. But I do know the FT career center is one of the most proactive among the top-tier programs.

Tepper might not help me so much with media/entertainment, but it seems to be one of the most interesting places for tech and interactive media. So if I go there, it will be to focus on tech and maybe forget media/entertaiment for a while, which does not sound that bad, really. I would just like to have a broader choice to shift my career.

The thing about my age I heard from two schools, and Tepper was clear that it did not really matter at all. Other schools, like Sloan, would simply ignore my question.

Mo2men · Answer

I totally agree about taking broader scope of your career taking into consideration your age and appeal for recruiters. Therefore, I'd strongly support UCLA program. Also, I consider the cost of networking will be optimized as you need to exert more effort with firms and media venues. I urge you top open communication or preferably pay a visit to UCLA and have chat with career staff. I think they will welcome and give you some hints.

WildKat · Answer

Really? Even if Booth has a stronger overall reputation?

Mo2men · Answer

What the high rank will serve you in your case? Booth is highly ranked but it does not provide opportunity in media. Why I should be in Chicago, London and Hong Kong while all the media industry concentrated is in LA? In my opinion, you will need to spend more time try to make network to enter the an industry that is build on relationships. You will be inside the action. This is time consuming. In general for any industry (not media only), a career switcher in age of 40 need to convince recruiters with his abilities and it is not easy and therefore you need time. Again, this is me

DurdenMBA · Answer

That is very sound advice,  Mo2men . I found a topic here about FEMBA vs Tepper, and most people just said that going for the FT MBA is a no-brainer compared to FEMBA. But you are right. I must think strategically about my career. I am still trying to figure out the visa situation, though. Is there a way to get maybe a J-1 visa while studying and living in LA and keeping my job in Brazil?

Mo2men · Answer

For the last question about visa, you need to consult the international student office but more preferably consult an immigration attorney.

bb · Answer

I would pick between Booth and Tepper. If you are hoping/planning to keep your job while studying, I would pick Booth - it is a very strong school with substantial resources in mid-west and Chicago. I don't feel as well about UCLA unfortunately, after getting to know some of their alums and about the admissions standards. The EMBA and FT programs will be quite a bit of a diff experience. In the EMBA, you will be among peers, and people of similar age and place in their career. With FT, you will be the old guy in the class, though it seems they are open minded to older applicants, which is great, and means you will have a small group of you 35+ year olds. FT program assumes taking time off work, getting internship (which is very helpful for career switchers), and allows some time for self reflection... I feel you have a better fit among the EMBA crowd. You can network with all of the other EMBA students who are currently also employed. You can keep your job (which you can always quit and move to Chicago if you potentially find an internship - I would talk to the Admissions/International Students office about ability to do an internship with EMBA and whether anyone has done that before - they may have to think about this one).

Visa is a good question. However, you technically do not need a J1 or any kind of a work permit to work in the US for your company back in Brazil (remotely). It is a gray land that will be probably impossible to resolve since your employer in Brazil is not in LA and did not hire you to do a job in the US. Basically it would be a hassle for the US gov, your employer, and you, and in the end it won't result into anything (unless I am missing something).

Congrats on your admits and good luck with the decision!

Visa is a good question. However, you technically do not need a J1 or any kind of a work permit to work in the US for your company back in Brazil (remotely). It is a gray land that will be probably impossible to resolve since your employer in Brazil is not in LA and did not hire you to do a job in the US. Basically it would be a hassle for the US gov, your employer, and you, and in the end it won't result into anything (unless I am missing something).

Congrats on your admits and good luck with the decision!

DurdenMBA · Answer

Now I have more information to think about. So what is the difference between Booth and UCLA in that case? You said do you don't feel very well about Anderson... Why is that?

FT MBA Tepper vs EMBA Chicago Booth vs FEMBA UCLA Anderson

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