bb wrote:
I don't know that I see a clear winner.
When you are saying would not mind staying in CA, do you mean for work after graduation?
I think Pepperdine may have a better network of alums overseas (mostly because of the undergrad - it is ranked much higher than the BSchool).
On the other hand, Pepperdine is a massive machine when it gets to the BSchool (many alums/grads) but their quality is sometimes questionable and the sheer quantity is making the value of the network not so high.
I think you could do well with either school. Keep in mind that if you are looking to get into Finance and move to the East Coast, many MBA's there think that West Coast Schools (Stanford Excluded) are a joke and country clubs or at least that was my impression talking to a few.
Have you considered approaching both schools about scholarships?
Both may offer some money if you can get your gmat over 700. That may be the deciding factor.
I have done undergrad and grad work in Socal so my network is already pretty good in the area. I just don't want to be stuck in SD, I feel like that may happen with USD. Is that a reasonable concern, or am I thinking too much?
I really have no desire to ever work on the east coast and prefer to work overseas in another country all together, think 'emerging markets'. I know both schools accept foreign nationals from where I want to work. I think I've been pretty good at networking and don't necessarily intend to have to rely on my alum connection for a job though.
USD's undergrad business program is ranked 40th nationwide by business week but has an unranked mba. Pepperdine has a better rank for their mba program. Is there really going to be a material difference between the two? I'm looking to remain in the investment sector.
Quote:
Have you considered approaching both schools about scholarships?
Both may offer some money if you can get your gmat over 700. That may be the deciding factor.
If I had a 700 I would not be going to either of these schools!