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Fulll Ride at Darden, 50-75% scholarship at Ross, or Chicago

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lxa
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Fulll Ride at Darden, 50-75% scholarship at Ross, or Chicago [#permalink] New post   29 Mar 2007, 09:58
Guys

What should I do?> I need advice like crazy...I never thought I would be writing this email, but thanks to some amazing people at Gmatclub and God I am in a very confusing situation:

- Full Ride from Darden Virginia

- 50% (maybe even 75%, will know soon) from Ross Michigan

- In at Chicago (no $, but will ask for some)

My plans:

I am young (24), just graduated in May last year, but have plenty (2 years) of full time work exp while in college

I want to persue two things: consulting and enterprenuership

Right after B-School I want to do consulting (preferably M/B/B in Europe or some less known companies in the States) for 2-3 years.

After that I want to join my family company and take it from being a central european company to a fully pan european one (its a niche industry)...so i will transition to CEO/Managing Director after few years

My problem:

- I want to learn general management, marketing, enterprenuership, finance skills...preatty much all you need to run a company....all schools are excellent for that

Chicago is a top school i got into, on pair with H/S/W/k...

but, there are few things I have to consider:

a) i am coming back to Poland after the mba + 2 years in consulting and i will be working with my father for a small/mid size business, you could say "entrepreneurial" ventures

in this case, in poland, brand of MBA beyond Harvard does not matter that much cause people dont know the difference

of course when i will meet and try to do business with high-up guys at major corporations (CEO, CFO, etc) then maybe if they come from the consulting background they willl know that chicago is ultra elite, but michigan is almost as good (just not as much tradition).

Important question:

Will I be able to get into MCK/BAIN/BCG consulting from all of them given my background, in US or in Europe (I think i have an excellent shot at their offices in poland, my home country, but want to stay in the us or western europe instead) ...Chicago is a core school for all of those companies (together with a hand full of others, HBS, stanford, mit, wharton, kellog, columbia) while michigan and darden are schools were they recruit quite heavily, but are not core schools...again it will probably not matter if i put warsaw as my desire location



other info

b) i like michigan and virginia 2-3 times more than chicago...i like the atmosphere of university town (just like charlottessville) not the atmosphere of grad school...dont get me wrong (Rhyme, j/k:)...its a great school...but i like college towns

c) michigan and darden really want me, i got the Distinguished scholar award, 1/2 tuition at Ross, and Full ride from Batten Enterprenuership center at Darden...very selective awards

d) michigan is a great place to learn about everything and anything...more structure program (electives=2nd year)

virginia is based on case studies (which i like, not sure if i will like doing them all the time, but that is another story)

chicago has only 1 required course! this could be good...but also not so good since I am not sure what the heck I want to learn (you know basic idea: operations, finance, intern. business, consulting, marketing...pretty much general education you need for both consulting and running a business)

Chicago gives me options and prestigues, great analytical abilities, great network

Ross and Darden atmosphere of small tight community (again personal preference), great gm programs, and $$$

e) all have great exchange programs in Europe and Asia, and I will definitely go to both (europe LBS or Insead, to acquire some relations with marketing people who will be high-up in few years in large corporations in europe, i want axpol to start selling directly to large corps in europe, Asia for experience and sourcing opportunities)...but Chicago has even a campus in London and in Asia!

I need some advice, given my i think unique in a way plans folowing mba

anyone with consulting inside???

thanks in advance

i am gone drink some champaign now:)

best

lxa
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[#permalink] New post   29 Mar 2007, 10:05
Good problems to have...

Tough call - see what you can get from Chicago - it is an ultra elite so if you can get some $$$ it is worth going. But if its not the environment you want then its between Ross and Darden.
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[#permalink] New post   29 Mar 2007, 10:09
Michigan all the way! Just thought I'd throw that in there since I did my undergrad at UM and I love Ann Arbor. If you're a sports fan there's nothing like going to a game at the Big House.
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[#permalink] New post   29 Mar 2007, 10:13
I say Chicago, due to the prestige & flexibility of the program.
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[#permalink] New post   29 Mar 2007, 10:32
Wow, I wish I was bothered by such problems. I would say go with Darden, they are very strong for consulting and not having to worry about $ is a huge plus. At any of those schools you will be able to land the job you want, so my opinion is Darden.
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[#permalink] New post   29 Mar 2007, 11:02
It is a bit different though - what does the prestige matter so much when you are planning on running a family business.

Looking for (probably) small class size, very progressive ideas; you must have a clear idea what courses you want to cover, so look into which school has what and whether it is best suited.

It is a difficult angle to come from, and one so different from my own I think it is difficult to advise. From any of those schools you should be able to get into a consultants, from Chicago obviously the field widens somewhat.

Depends which of your goals has more drive from the MBA really. It is a question I don't think anyone can answer, but maybe give ideas what to look into more.
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[#permalink] New post   29 Mar 2007, 11:11
squali83 wrote:
Wow, I wish I was bothered by such problems. I would say go with Darden, they are very strong for consulting and not having to worry about $ is a huge plus. At any of those schools you will be able to land the job you want, so my opinion is Darden.


I agree with this. If you're plan is to work for 2 years then return to your family business in a country where (as you say) prestige of these schools is unknown, you should probably go with the money. Darden and Michigan are both well respected with consulting companies and as a merit scholarship holder you will be an attractive candidate.

In fact, I have wondered which is better a generic resume from an ultra-elite or a resume from a merit scholarship holder at an elite. But given your situation, and especially given the substantial sum of money that Darden (and Michigan) have awarded, I'd advise going with one of these. Like you, I also like the college town atmosphere.

I was actually waiting for my notification letter as well. Can you tell me how you were notified of your Darden scholarship? Phone call, email, letter? Thanks.
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[#permalink] New post   29 Mar 2007, 11:13
A couple thoughts:

You did not mention the alumni network as a factor in your the decision, but its pretty important. You should see how many European alumni each school has. I suspect that GSB and Ross will be decent, but that Darden will be poor in this area.

For M/B/B GSB will give you the best shot. Ross will be petty good and Darden will be more of a long-shot. About 30% of Ross students who go into MC get into the big 3. For GSB the figure is 40%. Not sure about Darden. But as you say, your chances may improve if you try to work for these firms in Europe.

What gets lost in all the prestige and brand discussion is the fact that high performers will do well with a degree from any top school. If you have a choice between two top 10 schools and you're really not happy with the culture or location of one of them, then don't make yourself miserable by going to a school simply for its prestige. Personally, I think you should go with Ross.
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[#permalink] New post   29 Mar 2007, 11:25
I agree with squali. I think it would be silly to pass up a free ride at Darden to go to Chicago. And not just for fiancial reasons (though that is the main thing). Consider this:
the fact that you received a full tuition scholarship is in itself an INCREADIBLY strong market signal to your future employer. Companies recruit at top programs because the schools have already pre-screened the candidates for them. In your case, not only has a top school accepted you, but also it has set you appart from 99% of other students who did not get a free ride. IMHO, I imagine that the scholarship would make any recruiter slightly biased in your favor over an equal candidate but without a scholarship at Chicago.

Congratulations on your outstanding achievements and good luck with your decision! as someone said, it sure is a good problem to have. :-D
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[#permalink] New post   29 Mar 2007, 11:28
Certainly an enviable position. I would go with Darden b/c graduating at 26/27 with no debt and a 100k (probably more in 2 years) salary is a thing of beauty. Also, don't get too enamored with Chicago. It's a terrific school, but it's prestige has fluctuated in the past. Ross would be a good middle ground, but Darden is very good for consulting.

I think it's a winning combo.
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[#permalink] New post   29 Mar 2007, 11:36
I concur with taking the money and going to Darden.
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[#permalink] New post   29 Mar 2007, 12:23
Guys...thanks a lot for all your replies...I learned something from reading each one, but I am not closer to my decision

I will call up Ross and Chicago tomorrow and explain the situation, and see where it takes me

I love all 3 of those schools, for different reasons, so its a win-win situation

Pelihu: they called me up about the scholarship today

One of the directors of the Batten Institute at Darden (Enterprenuership) called me up to tell me I received the Batten Fellowship

He said he has been calling people since this morning, but had 7 or so calls to make, so it took him awhile

however, if i understand corectly they have given up more full rides and scholarships, because every department kind a has a pool it can award

so i would call them up and check it out

best
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[#permalink] New post   29 Mar 2007, 12:34
lxa wrote:
Guys...thanks a lot for all your replies...I learned something from reading each one, but I am not closer to my decision

I will call up Ross and Chicago tomorrow and explain the situation, and see where it takes me

I love all 3 of those schools, for different reasons, so its a win-win situation

Pelihu: they called me up about the scholarship today

One of the directors of the Batten Institute at Darden (Enterprenuership) called me up to tell me I received the Batten Fellowship

He said he has been calling people since this morning, but had 7 or so calls to make, so it took him awhile

however, if i understand corectly they have given up more full rides and scholarships, because every department kind a has a pool it can award

so i would call them up and check it out

best


LXA, thanks for the info. Actually, I didn't need to call them up, I needed to turn the ringer on for my phone! I have a message from Mr. P. S. (I don't know if I should give out his name on a public forum) of the Batten Institute asking me to give him a call. I just called but got his voicemail - didn't want to leave a message so I'll try him again in a bit. I'm hopeful of getting the same treatment as you. . . please please please.
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[#permalink] New post   29 Mar 2007, 13:45
I respectfully abstain from voting....

Well no seriously, I would agree that a full ride at Darden is hard to pass up, very veyr hard to pass up. Personally, I would use that as leverage against Chicago, get them to throw me some cash and then go to Chicago if they threw me at least $20K a year.
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[#permalink] New post   29 Mar 2007, 14:08
well pelihu...seems like we both got royal treatment from darden

are you coming for the admit week then?

so given that you got a full ride at darden, what are you plans now?
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[#permalink] New post   Updated on: 29 Mar 2007, 14:34
YEEEEEEEEEEEEEHAAAAAAAAAAAAAW!

I got it, I got it! Like lxa, I've been offered the Batten Institute scholarship at Darden:

"Batten Entrepreneurial Scholarships -3–full-tuition–scholarships are available to candidates who demonstrate experience in past entrepreneurial ventures, an entrepreneurial spirit, strong leadership skills, and a drive for innovation. Selected by faculty within the Batten Institute.

The institute also runs the business concept competition, business plan competition, their own VC internship, a national VC compatition and the Darden incubator. As some of you know, Darden was already in the lead for me personally, and this really seals the deal.

I think I'm going to draft a ding letter to Stanford. Of course, since they haven't invited me to interview, it surely means that they have dinged me already, but I'm going to beat them to the punch and send a letter first. Why does that make me feel so giddy?

Originally posted by pelihu on 29 Mar 2007, 14:18.
Last edited by pelihu on 29 Mar 2007, 14:34, edited 1 time in total.
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[#permalink] New post   29 Mar 2007, 14:20
Wow, congrats, that's amazing!
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[#permalink] New post   29 Mar 2007, 14:21
Thats awesome! Congrats.
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[#permalink] New post   29 Mar 2007, 14:24
lxa wrote:
well pelihu...seems like we both got royal treatment from darden

are you coming for the admit week then?

so given that you got a full ride at darden, what are you plans now?


Was in the middle of posting my last message when yours was posted. Originally, I wasn't planning to go to the admit weekend because I was just there 2 weeks ago - I'm thinking it over now.

I believe I'm going to Darden. Unlike you, I don't have an admit at Chicago, and only a WL at Columbia. Darden was already in the lead, and with the full scholarship it's a pretty easy choice for me. I'm torn over whether to wait for Berkeley - but I can't imagine being lucky enough to get a similar scholarship there.

I really like the idea of being able to put on my resume "full tuition merit scholarship from the Batten Institute for Entrepreneurship" when I start my job hunt. I think that might be very attractive to PE/VC firms interested in investing in China (my area of experience), and Ibanks interested in starting/expanding their businesses there as well.
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[#permalink] New post   29 Mar 2007, 14:27
Excellent pelihu ! :D :D :)

Congratulations ! :D :).... Very glad for u ! :D :)
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