Local Vs Big Name School

Question

Q: I am looking to stay in Houston after Grad school. Does it really matter if I go to a big name school if the local Universities have a good reputation? {EX Rice, University of Houston, Texas A&M, University of Texas} :wink:

refurb · Answer

It all depends on what you want to do.

If you are looking to stay in the same area, often the local universities are targeted by recruiters for local job. This of course depends heavily on the industry.

If you're looking to get a job that traditionally recruits from top b-schools (banking, consulting, etc), then you won't find many opportunities at a local school (unless you live right next Wharton or something).

RF

GoBruin · Answer

I think if you are looking for something locally I don't see any problem with that. But I would watch out in a down economy, many more people from big time programs will be willing to move to houston and might bump you. I am a brand whore.

riverripper · Answer

Local schools might have more options but the competition for jobs in Houston wont be huge at schools outside Texas. Also the jobs, career paths, and salaries are going to be far better at top tier schools.

miccarlo · Answer

I am under the belief that you should attend the best business school you can get into as nothing is certain in the future and you wouldn't want something you are only to invest a lot of time/energy/money into to have any negative effects.

nink · Answer

One thing to remember is to do a thorough research if you choose to attend a local MBA program (not ranked in Top 25-ish). Many people make the mistake of choosing a less known local MBA program because of its undergraduate or overall reputation (but little to none in graduate bschool reputation). In some cases, many of these schools try to leverage its overall reputation and try to attract students. But students (especially FT students) blindly choose to attend these schools and realize after that the school lacks dedicated core recruiters, services, and etc for its graduate business program.

hookemhorns86 · Answer

What do you guys think of the Rice MBA? It is ranked very low, but looking at their employment sheet..they do send 8-10 kids in IB every year out of a class of 125.

donold · Answer

Hi

I would suggest also consider an  MBA  from  Skyline Business School  which has been ranked 9th in North India by Outlook Careers 360.

Local Vs Big Name School

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