Johnson (30%) vs Tepper (40%) vs Goizueta (90%)?

Question

Hi All,

While I'm lucky to have these offers, I am split on where to attend and would appreciate any & all opinions!

Background: International - 4yrs work exp (Analytics/Consulting)
Goals: Strategy Consulting or Tech (in that order); I don't really have a location preference post MBA and while I'd take a shot at MBB - T1/T2 firms are probably more realistic targets. Also long term (definitely fuzzy right now) - I see myself in some kind of strategy role in the tech industry

This is where I am at right now, and its probably all over the place -

1) Johnson
Pros: Ivy League; Better MBB/T1 opportunities than others on this list? + Access to NYC; College town (but Ithaca can get depressing?); 
Cons: Will probably graduate with debt over $100k ; Known for Finance/IB and may not be as strong for Tech as Tepper?; Weather

2) Tepper
Pros: Strong Tech & consulting recruiting; Great Tech pedigree/brand name; Of the three probably more integrated with other CMU schools due to the Tepper Quad (I feel Cornell is a close second here and Emory third)
Cons: Will probably graduate with debt just under $100k ; Not the best location for consulting networking?; Weather

3) Goizueta
Pros: Almost full tuition scholarship - will graduate close to debt free (~$20-30K); Strong recruiting for consulting in Atlanta (top school in the region?); Better weather than Ithaca/Pittsburgh
Cons: Network may not be as strong or distributed as Tepper/Johnson? (for moves later on in career); Not as recognized a brand name as Tepper/Johnson outside the US?; Higher cost of living (but this is baked into the above debt estimate)

All three MBAs have a STEM track/designation (Goizueta recently got one) - so that is a common plus point

I think, rationally, one of the above three is an overwhelming favorite. But it'll be interesting to hear what folks on here think!

P.S. Also have a waitlist at Yale, but I think my chances getting off it are next to zero.

Thanks in advance.

Nikhil · Answer

Tagging  abhimahna   u1983   kinjiGC  for their inputs

Gauthamkailash · Answer

Congrats on the admits! If you are dead-set on consulting, go with Goizueta. But if you want an equally good shot at consulting and not compromise on Tech outcomes, go with Tepper. Looking at your long term goals, Tepper seems like the best choice if you can afford it. I wouldn't consider Johnson unless you desperately want a marginally better shot at MBB or that Cornell brand on your resume.

vdc17 · Answer

Thanks! What you say makes sense - leaning towards Tepper at the moment, but Goizueta's $$$ is making me think long and hard.

Also, how valuable would you say is the Cornell brand name?

kinjiGC · Answer

Congrats for Tepper Admit.

Please let me know if you have any specific questions about Tepper that I can answer. Happy to help.

Gauthamkailash · Answer

vdc17  - That's very subjective and hard to quantify. As an international student, I would recommend you place more importance on the strength of the alumni network in the US/your home country more than the brand name. During tough times, you can count on alumni, but not the brand (unless it's an M7). Just my opinion.

ANALysis · Answer

voted for emory. try to get that remaining 10%

vdc17 · Answer

Update: Tepper upped their scholarship, and I'm right now looking at a $50K difference between Goizueta & Tepper.

I still can't decide though, because I feel like I can do well at both schools; and while Goizueta comes with a safety net (50k less debt), I feel like I may regret not attending Tepper down the line.

Thanks for all the inputs so far! And appreciate any final words that anyone might want to add? I need to make a decision by this weekend!

Thanks again!

Posted from my mobile device

bb · Answer

I know  abhimahna  who graduated this spring is super busy at work but perhaps he has a few moments to weigh in....

I just looked up the pre-pandemic employment reports and Goizueta sent only 10 out of 168 people to the west coast (tech jobs tend to congregate there). Tepper had 53 out of 230, so yes, tech job prospects are clearly delineated here.

From Goizueta, 60 went to consulting. Tepper, same 60 but out of a larger class. 
So from Consulting standpoint, even if the roles are different and other aspects (locations, etc) are different, the numbers are balanced out.

This seems to be the question of Tech which is easier to get in and has more job opportunities for International applicants than consulting but with your consulting background, you should have a decent shot at getting to the interview stage. That tends to be where most people are annihilated and comes down to your interview skills and luck.

If your goal is consulting, it seems you can save $50K and if that fails, you can perhaps take a bit more time looking for a job ($50K in the bottom line is about the equivalent of making $75K) but if it takes you more than 6 months to find a job then you lose the "savings" (most MBA jobs start in June or July so this would mean you would start Jan of next year which is the likely hiring season if you don't lock something in the summer)

It is all about your confidence is being able to convert to a full time offer and risk (take the money upfront with more risk at graduation vs. pay it upfront to hopefully have the best chances at a job).

abhimahna · Answer

Thank you for the tag bb and Nikhil . I apologize for the delayed response. Have been super busy lately. Congratulations for the great admits, vdc17 This dilemma is a good to have dilemma. I still remember my time when I was struggling through this.

Looking at what you posted 1. IB - You wanna try. Trust me it's a very hard job to get into IB, and if you are thinking slightly, I would prefer to lean towards the other two goals you mentioned. So, Johnson should be OUT 2. Consulting - You come from consulting background - so probably a plus point to get to the interview stage at least as bb mentioned. Emory sends ~40% of the class to consulting every year. Although internationals have a few opportunities only, if you leverage those well, it is still possible to get into. One of my first years (now 2nd year) recently got into McKinsey (He is a very hard working Man) 3. Tech -- Definitely Tepper is a plus here. However, Emory's Tech presence is growing every year. As you mentioned location isn't really a concern for you, I would say don't worry about West Coast numbers. We have so many alums across all the big tech firms. It's all a networking game, my friend! This year a lot of people are going to tech industry either as a PM or in different roles. Our club is doing a fantastic job in increasing Emory's presence in Tech. Considering all of the above, I would lean towards saving those $50 also. As ANALysis mentioned, you should try negotiating with Emory for those last 10%. Let me know if you have more questions. Good luck and keep us posted.

FinanceMan · Answer

Try to snag that extra 10% from Goizueta.

bb · Answer

kinjiGC ,  u1983 ,  Nikkb  - would love to hear your thougths about Tepper Recruiting for Consulting and Tech.

vdc17 · Answer

Thanks for sharing  bb  and  abhimahna

Yep, money upfront with risk at graduation vs Debt with better chances at a preferred role/company is what the choice really boils down to!

How big a risk is Goizueta though? (given that general outlook for Internationals in consulting is a bit bleak, and tech isn't Emory's strongest suit?). I am not a type A personality who's going to network like crazy to create opportunities out of thin air - unless push comes to shove. Also, as you say, a lot of recruiting once you get to the interview stage is luck. So what it boils down to is how big, if any, is the gap in opportunities (via career center + streamlined? networking) between Goizueta and Tepper?

Also, what are both of your takes on the long term difference between attending Johnson vs Tepper vs Goizueta? I've heard time and again that a tag doesn't matter and its how you perform in your roles that ultimately counts. But do you think being a Johnson or Tepper alum would open more doors in the long term, either due to name recognition or more wider spread alumni? Example - 8/10 people in my India office have heard of CMU, 7/10 have heard of Cornell and maybe 1/10 have heard of Emory.

The answers to the above questions probably start with "It depends..." (or maybe not, and its just my consulting mindset kicking in), but I'd still love to hear what you have to say.

Also,  bb  thanks for tagging folks from Tepper. While I've spoken to current Johnson/Tepper students - would be interesting to get thoughts from those who've been through the grind and some years!

Truly appreciate all the inputs!

bb · Answer

I can tell you that this year is definitely a different year and many business goals and many students are dazed. That’s the best word I can think of. Between the strange environment and terrible recruiting. I can see a lot of the current students being uncomfortable or torn about prospects and choices. It’s stuff everywhere but everyone has also doubts at the back of their mind. It is helpful to talk to those who graduated during normal times....

But hopefully things will stabilize and improve. There’s a lot more attention today so hopefully the trends reverse.

Posted from my mobile device

But hopefully things will stabilize and improve. There’s a lot more attention today so hopefully the trends reverse.

Posted from my mobile device

Johnson (30%) vs Tepper (40%) vs Goizueta (90%)?

Johnson (30%) vs Tepper (40%) vs Goizueta (90%)? FTMBA

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