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20 May 2020, 10:25
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Hey everyone,
First off, I really appreciate this forum and everyone's contributions - it has helped me immensely during the MBA process - thank you. Now for the main reason I'm writing: I'm having a pretty tough time deciding between schools. There are a ton of factors at play - as you'll see - and a few different layers to all of this. I would love your thoughts and opinions. Apologies for the lengthy post.
.
I’ve been accepted to:
- INSEAD (FT)
- Cambridge (FT)
- Carnegie Mellon (PT online hybrid)
- Waiting on decision from UCLA (PT flex schedule)
Background: I’m from the US with experience in Account Management and currently doing Customer Success at a successful SF tech company. I work remotely in a state that doesn’t offer any notable MBA programs (hence PT hybrid programs at CMU and UCLA if US is what I choose). The state I am in is not really associated with either US school's "sphere of influence" - technically in the west, but not west coast.
Goal: Strategy role in the tech industry. Also interested in Strategy Consulting as an alternative. Regardless, I want to end up in the US post MBA.
Decision #1 - Europe vs. US
For most of the process I was leaning towards INSEAD - it seems to be well respected even back in the US, and the 1 year program with international experience seemed to fit my personal and financial desires as well. I am fully aware that if I want to be in the US, a US school is preferable, but international experience + 1 year for me justify the hustle I’d have to put in to get a job in the US. But then COVID hit. With Cambridge announcing they will go fully online for lectures for the entire academic year, I feel like INSEAD would maybe look to do the same (at least for some of the program - I would start in January), but there hasn’t been any official announcement from them. At this point I’m just not sure I can justify those programs if the full experience isn’t there (online classes from my dorm room?), plus potential travel restrictions, especially given they are only 1 year programs.
Enter US PT programs (I did not consider 2 year US FT due to cost/financials). The PT's are quite a bit longer (2.5-3 years) but get to keep my job, and my company is also very supportive of internal career switches, so an MBA would potentially further support a move internally to my desired role (moving internally is NOT a guarantee by any means though). If that doesn't work out, I also chose CMU and UCLA partly because on campus recruiting and career services are the same for PT as they are for FT, and CMU also has the option to switch to FT. I would be doing their hybrid programs so I don't have to move, but can still travel in person every 1-2 months to meet for a weekend with the cohort.
But... the thought of giving up the worldly experiences of INSEAD (and Cambridge) is really tough for me - it is a huge desire of mine to spend time abroad and partly why I looked at European schools - invest in myself and my career while gaining international experience and network. The 1 year expedited program length is also tough to pass up. I’m not too sure about going for a deferral - too much unknown - online situation could still be in place in fall 2021.
Decision #2 - If U.S. is the route I go...then CMU vs. UCLA
UCLA
Pros
- International treks/options built into curriculum
- Can expedite and finish in 2.5 years
- Alumni network seems to be very strong
- Tech / Consulting career report numbers look great
- Live classes once per month at UCLA on Saturdays (once things are normal)
Cons
- Alumni/Influence mainly based on the west coast
- Not as strong emphasis on quant/data as CMU it seems
- Online flex program cohort not as tight knit as CMU's online program cohort it seems (i.e. at UCLA you meet for classes live once per month, but it's not a full weekend production with planned events, dinners, etc. like CMU)
CMU
Pros
- I can say as an admitted student the emphasis on quant/data/math is exceptional - the pre-work/classes I have to take even before the program begins is robust and impressive
- Flexibility to switch to FT seamlessly from PT program
- Tech / Consulting placement numbers also look great
- As has been noted in other posts, career placement is spread out very well across the entire US
- Entire weekends (every 2 months) dedicated to meeting the online cohort in person for classes/dinners/events
Cons
- 3 years to completion (if you stay in PT the entire time)
- While alumni are spread across the US, it seems there aren't as many CMU alumni in general vs. UCLA alumni
- Brand name not as good as UCLA (not sure on this)
I'm so excited to have these opportunities, but as you can see it's just a really tough call. I think I'd be leaning towards INSEAD if COVID didn't happen, but now I'm just trying to take a step back and assess. Any thoughts/comments/opinions on both of the above decisions would be very much appreciated. Thank you!
First off, I really appreciate this forum and everyone's contributions - it has helped me immensely during the MBA process - thank you. Now for the main reason I'm writing: I'm having a pretty tough time deciding between schools. There are a ton of factors at play - as you'll see - and a few different layers to all of this. I would love your thoughts and opinions. Apologies for the lengthy post.
.
I’ve been accepted to:
- INSEAD (FT)
- Cambridge (FT)
- Carnegie Mellon (PT online hybrid)
- Waiting on decision from UCLA (PT flex schedule)
Background: I’m from the US with experience in Account Management and currently doing Customer Success at a successful SF tech company. I work remotely in a state that doesn’t offer any notable MBA programs (hence PT hybrid programs at CMU and UCLA if US is what I choose). The state I am in is not really associated with either US school's "sphere of influence" - technically in the west, but not west coast.
Goal: Strategy role in the tech industry. Also interested in Strategy Consulting as an alternative. Regardless, I want to end up in the US post MBA.
Decision #1 - Europe vs. US
For most of the process I was leaning towards INSEAD - it seems to be well respected even back in the US, and the 1 year program with international experience seemed to fit my personal and financial desires as well. I am fully aware that if I want to be in the US, a US school is preferable, but international experience + 1 year for me justify the hustle I’d have to put in to get a job in the US. But then COVID hit. With Cambridge announcing they will go fully online for lectures for the entire academic year, I feel like INSEAD would maybe look to do the same (at least for some of the program - I would start in January), but there hasn’t been any official announcement from them. At this point I’m just not sure I can justify those programs if the full experience isn’t there (online classes from my dorm room?), plus potential travel restrictions, especially given they are only 1 year programs.
Enter US PT programs (I did not consider 2 year US FT due to cost/financials). The PT's are quite a bit longer (2.5-3 years) but get to keep my job, and my company is also very supportive of internal career switches, so an MBA would potentially further support a move internally to my desired role (moving internally is NOT a guarantee by any means though). If that doesn't work out, I also chose CMU and UCLA partly because on campus recruiting and career services are the same for PT as they are for FT, and CMU also has the option to switch to FT. I would be doing their hybrid programs so I don't have to move, but can still travel in person every 1-2 months to meet for a weekend with the cohort.
But... the thought of giving up the worldly experiences of INSEAD (and Cambridge) is really tough for me - it is a huge desire of mine to spend time abroad and partly why I looked at European schools - invest in myself and my career while gaining international experience and network. The 1 year expedited program length is also tough to pass up. I’m not too sure about going for a deferral - too much unknown - online situation could still be in place in fall 2021.
Decision #2 - If U.S. is the route I go...then CMU vs. UCLA
UCLA
Pros
- International treks/options built into curriculum
- Can expedite and finish in 2.5 years
- Alumni network seems to be very strong
- Tech / Consulting career report numbers look great
- Live classes once per month at UCLA on Saturdays (once things are normal)
Cons
- Alumni/Influence mainly based on the west coast
- Not as strong emphasis on quant/data as CMU it seems
- Online flex program cohort not as tight knit as CMU's online program cohort it seems (i.e. at UCLA you meet for classes live once per month, but it's not a full weekend production with planned events, dinners, etc. like CMU)
CMU
Pros
- I can say as an admitted student the emphasis on quant/data/math is exceptional - the pre-work/classes I have to take even before the program begins is robust and impressive
- Flexibility to switch to FT seamlessly from PT program
- Tech / Consulting placement numbers also look great
- As has been noted in other posts, career placement is spread out very well across the entire US
- Entire weekends (every 2 months) dedicated to meeting the online cohort in person for classes/dinners/events
Cons
- 3 years to completion (if you stay in PT the entire time)
- While alumni are spread across the US, it seems there aren't as many CMU alumni in general vs. UCLA alumni
- Brand name not as good as UCLA (not sure on this)
I'm so excited to have these opportunities, but as you can see it's just a really tough call. I think I'd be leaning towards INSEAD if COVID didn't happen, but now I'm just trying to take a step back and assess. Any thoughts/comments/opinions on both of the above decisions would be very much appreciated. Thank you!
Regenerate
20 May 2020, 18:07
Kudos
Bookmarks
Can you defer the European options a year and see what shakes out and push out your decision?
Posted from my mobile device
Posted from my mobile device
FinanceMan
Masters of Science Forum Moderator
Joined: 24 Feb 2020
Last visit: 07 Nov 2024
Posts: 249
Given Kudos: 113
Location: United States (OK)
Schools: Fuqua MSQM-BA Online "22 (M)
20 May 2020, 18:36
Kudos
Bookmarks
Edited to add poll for you.
Posted from my mobile device
Posted from my mobile device
