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29 Mar 2013, 11:23
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Hello GMAT Club!
Like many of you, I'm hoping for a little crowd-sourced wisdom on whether to attend Yale SOM or Michigan Ross.
I am the founder and president of a small education (through technology) -focused NGO, currently directing our pilot project in Africa. My short term goals definitely include winning grant funding for my NGO to expand, and taking on more projects in the developing world. Before you all jump to tell me that Yale is renowned for non-profit management, I would say that my time doing non-profit work in Africa has caused a few changes in my medium to long-term goals. I am a bit less optimistic now about my chances of affecting real long term change via the NGO route. I'm increasingly focused on using for-profit business as a tool for development.
I know that is pretty vague, so I'll elaborate on my professional interests. First, clean energy. I have several years experience working in solar energy and smart-grid/energy efficiency start-up companies. My time in Africa has reemphasized the centrality of access to energy for people at the base of the pyramid.
As you might guess from my NGO, I'm also interested in the power of technology to enhance education. I think this goes hand in hand with access to energy.
I might need a few more years of experience first, but I can really imagine a career in impact investing down the line -- analyzing, advising, investing in, and generally nurturing SMEs that can make a positive impact in the developing world. Maybe one path to get there would be through some boutique development consulting.
I have to pick a school before I return from Africa, so no chance to attend admitted student events. I'd love your help. Which school do you think I should attend (and why)? Thanks!
Like many of you, I'm hoping for a little crowd-sourced wisdom on whether to attend Yale SOM or Michigan Ross.
I am the founder and president of a small education (through technology) -focused NGO, currently directing our pilot project in Africa. My short term goals definitely include winning grant funding for my NGO to expand, and taking on more projects in the developing world. Before you all jump to tell me that Yale is renowned for non-profit management, I would say that my time doing non-profit work in Africa has caused a few changes in my medium to long-term goals. I am a bit less optimistic now about my chances of affecting real long term change via the NGO route. I'm increasingly focused on using for-profit business as a tool for development.
I know that is pretty vague, so I'll elaborate on my professional interests. First, clean energy. I have several years experience working in solar energy and smart-grid/energy efficiency start-up companies. My time in Africa has reemphasized the centrality of access to energy for people at the base of the pyramid.
As you might guess from my NGO, I'm also interested in the power of technology to enhance education. I think this goes hand in hand with access to energy.
I might need a few more years of experience first, but I can really imagine a career in impact investing down the line -- analyzing, advising, investing in, and generally nurturing SMEs that can make a positive impact in the developing world. Maybe one path to get there would be through some boutique development consulting.
I have to pick a school before I return from Africa, so no chance to attend admitted student events. I'd love your help. Which school do you think I should attend (and why)? Thanks!
29 Mar 2013, 16:26
Kudos
Bookmarks
Obviously I'm on the Yale train, but you do sound like a great fit to me -- energy + education --> impact investing. I feel like wanting to make that impact and using your background + the MBA curriculum is Yale's sweet spot. Yale does have a dual degree with the School of Forestry and the ability to just take classes there without the dual degree, which I think would help you towards your goals on the energy-side.
The pull for Ross is the Erb Institute as I'm sure you know. In general it's a similar schema to Yale SFS where you get that added layer of coursework in energy/sustainability to supplement the general MBA curriculum. I didn't look into that program at Ross so I can't give additional details beyond that.
Are you able to make the Ross/Yale receptions where you are? Both schools have them in the coming weeks, and you'll be able to connect with alums and other prospective students there. You can also reach out to current students at the schools to see what they think.
Best of luck with your choice (and of course, I have my fingers crossed that you'll join the rest of us GC-ers at SOM, but do make the best decision for you!)
The pull for Ross is the Erb Institute as I'm sure you know. In general it's a similar schema to Yale SFS where you get that added layer of coursework in energy/sustainability to supplement the general MBA curriculum. I didn't look into that program at Ross so I can't give additional details beyond that.
Are you able to make the Ross/Yale receptions where you are? Both schools have them in the coming weeks, and you'll be able to connect with alums and other prospective students there. You can also reach out to current students at the schools to see what they think.
Best of luck with your choice (and of course, I have my fingers crossed that you'll join the rest of us GC-ers at SOM, but do make the best decision for you!)
30 Mar 2013, 11:51
Kudos
Bookmarks
Hmmmm, so many ways to think about this!
I'm interested in hearing more what your pros and cons are for each school. Perhaps we could help by eliminating some of your cons at Ross and/or Yale so that you felt more confident about one or the other?
I'm really familiar with Yale's education focus, but not as much on its energy and sustainability stuff. I am obsessed with Yale, and much of it has to do with the education club and impact culture at the school. Students, professors, alums, etc. are really supportive of social impact goals.
The doubts that I'm having are about these schools' resources with regard to technology. I'd say you're better off at Haas, but I guess it's too late for that. That said, there's an amazing entrepreneur club at Yale that might be in line with your goals.
The thing about Ross is that since it's bigger it may have more general resources to support your goals. However, fewer of these resources may end up assigned to your area of interest. I think your best bet is to ask the schools to connect you with current students and alumni in your target industry. They were instrumental in helping me make my final decision. It's creepy how aligned the alums' trajectories were with my goals.
One final thing--if you are interested in doing international development, you should look at Yale's international experiences and Advanced Network for Global Management. Ted Snyder is super invested in globalizing the SOM coursework and reach. It's pretty inspiring and it might be worth learning more about in your case.
Good luck!
I'm interested in hearing more what your pros and cons are for each school. Perhaps we could help by eliminating some of your cons at Ross and/or Yale so that you felt more confident about one or the other?
I'm really familiar with Yale's education focus, but not as much on its energy and sustainability stuff. I am obsessed with Yale, and much of it has to do with the education club and impact culture at the school. Students, professors, alums, etc. are really supportive of social impact goals.
The doubts that I'm having are about these schools' resources with regard to technology. I'd say you're better off at Haas, but I guess it's too late for that. That said, there's an amazing entrepreneur club at Yale that might be in line with your goals.
The thing about Ross is that since it's bigger it may have more general resources to support your goals. However, fewer of these resources may end up assigned to your area of interest. I think your best bet is to ask the schools to connect you with current students and alumni in your target industry. They were instrumental in helping me make my final decision. It's creepy how aligned the alums' trajectories were with my goals.
One final thing--if you are interested in doing international development, you should look at Yale's international experiences and Advanced Network for Global Management. Ted Snyder is super invested in globalizing the SOM coursework and reach. It's pretty inspiring and it might be worth learning more about in your case.
Good luck!
