sk0295 wrote:
I have been admitted to both Berkeley Haas (no scholarship) and Duke Fuqua (40K scholarship) for their full-time MBA programs for fall 2020 entry.
I actually went to Berkeley for my undergrad, from where I graduated in 2017.
I'm currently a software engineer on the East Coast, and plan to go into either tech product management or consulting post-MBA (trying to decide between the two.) In the long-term, I'm interested in starting my own company. I would like to be on either East or West Coast post-MBA.
I am torn between the two options at the moment, and appreciate any advice.
Haas pros:
- Strong tech placement
- Higher ranked program (consistently top 10), and so potentially marginally higher-regarded?
- Strong entrepreneurship culture
Haas cons:
- Graduates concentrated on the West Coast, so less scope of moving to other regions
- I'm not really sure how Haas fares for M/B/B opportunities, which is something I'm hoping to explore if I decide on consulting
- Cost of living
Fuqua pros:
- Great for consulting
- 40K scholarship + lower cost of living
- Potentially Better career resources (the admitted student webinars have been very helpful so far - not sure how this is at Haas).
Fuqua cons:
- Durham versus Bay Area (I do enjoy living on the coasts)
- Not a feeder to tech firms (although definitely gaining more traction over the past few years)
- Not known for entrepreneurship at all
Please let me know what you all think - I'm honestly very confused at the moment, and any advice is much appreciated. Sometimes I feel that it may be better to go with the cheaper option for me at this time (especially with the uncertainty due to COVID.) But I don't want to make my decision purely based on that. I want the possibility of exploring M/B/B opportunities, but also want a good shot at the top tech companies.
Thank you.
I am literally in the same boat. Admitted to FUQUA with $$ and Haas w/o $$$.
I would add a couple more to your pro's and cons list.
HAAS PRO:
-overall competitive peer network.
-strong VC/PE presence in the bay area
-ability to do more things in-person and in-semester
-Columbia/School exchange program for Fall 2Y (expanding networks)
-In-semester internships
-Friday's off.
HAAS CONS: (And honestly these are the reasons for hesitating)
-Competing with Stanford MBA's and UG's on almost every opportunity.
-Competing with Berkeley Haas UG's on opportunities.
(combine the two- I wonder how frustrating it must be to pursue an opportunity and for managers or POC at Tech, Startup, Investment organizations open their email inbox and see 10+ haas.edu emails daily for similar opportunities. Might just be a law of #'s that end up working against the advantages of even going to Berkeley). - not to mention, most organizations would show bias towards Stanford profile over Berkeley.
-Long term Prestige - Although Berekely Haas carries well in California, is it as big of a global brand across industries as Duke?
-I dont quite get the feel of it being a solid exit into East Coast and South Regions.
-Might be average for MBB
-No $$
-PT/UG/Executive students all blend under the Haas name. Hard to differentiate whether you were a FT student graduate or went through another route. I think that affects perception.
FUQUA PROS:
-Seems very structured, organized and admissions and the staff seem very interested in your success and making sure you arrive on campus prepared and ahead of the curve in terms of recruiting and classes
-Team Fuqua seems very real so far.
-I actually believe the entrepreneurship is pretty competitive. It's not the bay area in terms of being localized to SV and investors, but the Duke name carries weight over any investment vehicle. The amount of centers/resources on campus are actually highly competitive and provide great structure
-Duke.edu email address for life. I feel this may carry more weight, influence, prestige over a berkeley.haas email. (my opinion)
-Exit into MBB is actually reputable, I hear this from several recruiters that Fuqua is a t10 for MBB, on par with M7.
-Fuqua is strictly a graduate program so if you went to Duke for B School it means something
FUQUA CONS:
-RDU area is absolutely isolated. SF Lifestyle will crush Durham
-No in semester opportunities
-Class on Friday followed by Friday get-together (limiting weekend getaways)
-Dominates the South-East/Texas regions, but that's about it.
-Tech progressive, but largely because of the Duke name. (Tim Cook is helping with Fuqua name!)
-The class seems extremely diverse, international and alot seem to be geared towards consulting.
I am truly in the middle. My conclusions so far is that Haas will be by far a better two years than Fuqua, but Fuqua/Duke might provide the better LT prestige/placement/opportunities than Haas. Haas is highly competitive but I hear 70% of alum are local or in Cali and that's a turn off. Tech and VC/PE are becoming largely global and no longer require a presence in SF to be competitive. I also don't see the same amount of resources and centers at Haas to pursue interests at Fuqua, however, Fuqua might also be limited in it's own way.
Let me know how you decide- would love to see your thoughts.