Owen ($$$) vs. Kenan-Flagler ($$)

Full disclosure: I wear my bias on my avatar.

K-F is ranked a bit higher, has a bigger network, and UNC definitely has a better basketball team. However, Owen has the more prestigious umbrella brand at Vanderbilt, and pursuing your education in Nashville will be a far and away better experience than spending two years in Chapel Hill IMO.

Here are a few things I learned during my MBA experience that may be worth thinking about:

1. You can't go wrong following the money and graduating with a tuition-free degree. At the end of the day, both schools will confer upon you the same three little letters. MBA.

2. Outside of the MBA admissions echo chamber (and outside of the crowd that is specifically gunning for MBB/IB/PE), B-School rankings aren't as important as we often make them out to be. Simultaneously, the ranking of the parent institution can definitely be a plus. When I was recruiting, I found that people in industry definitely held Vanderbilt in high regard. (I don't doubt that many probably see UNC positively too, this isn't a slam on the Tar Heels, but just a plug that Vanderbilt is a heavy-weight as far as prestigious national universities go.)

3. What you will get out of B-School as far as your education and recruiting opportunities are concerned largely depends on YOU. The institution you attend can certainly help shape the experience, but the fact of the matter is that many of the same firms will recruit at both K-F and Owen. To set yourself apart and land your dream role, it will be up to you to stand out. The logo printed on your diploma isn't going to make or break your career for you. Neither school offers a guaranteed ticket to the future you want.

4. While both Owen and K-F send graduates into the Tech Industry every year, neither school is a Haas/Sloan/GSB that are known to pump techies out constantly and have well-established pipelines into the industry. You will definitely have to hustle whichever school you choose in order to make that happen. (Though it is certainly doable.)

5. While both Owen and K-F place graduates nationally (I am in the Bay Area myself), both are fairly regional programs. You can see on their employment reports that 40%+ of each of their graduating classes stayed in the South. My point is, if you have your heart set on living in the Research Triangle or in Charlotte, you should go to K-F. If you'd rather pursue opportunities in Nashville or Atlanta, I would argue that Owen is the better option. In either case, you should be comfortable with the possibility of staying long term in Dixie.

6. If you have a list of target firms you would consider joining (though this may not apply to someone trying to join a tech startup like you), you should see if they recruit regularly at either school. This could help you decide.

7. You. Need. To. Visit. Both. Programs. If. You. Haven't. Already. I was set to go to a better ranking program than Owen before I visited. My visit changed my mind completely. I LOVED the vibe at Vanderbilt, I LOVED Nashville, I was impressed with the Career Center at Owen, and I felt good about being a Commodore. Visiting will give you a pretty good feel for both schools. You should also speak with some UNC and Vandy Alumni if there are any you can reach out to. They will know the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly and can definitely give you some sage advice.

I am happy to field a few questions about Owen for you if you want to PM me. Let me know!

~Anchor Down