Picking a School -- Financial Aid Consideration Curve 2021

I am not really familiar with this program. If you got a good scholarship, it probably is a good deal. However, if you’re sinking in ton of money into a program that’s not very well-known, it will be a diminished investment…

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This would mean that (according to the chart) I should choose Booth at sticker vs full ride at Ross, Yale or Tuck?! I don't think that makes sense...

Hey, I'm finding it hard to compare Anderson and Stern from the above grid. Can someone please help me? Thanks!

Short answer: Stern is so much more highly ranked than Anderson, that even if you incurred zero cost (including living expenses) to attend Anderson ... and Stern provided no help ... the decision is to still go to Stern.

Remember: There are MANY considerations for picking a school besides just money ... and ... it's very easy for a stranger in the internet to spend your money. Therefore, you've got to own your decision. Be comfortable with your choice.

PS - Congratulations on your admits!

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Sorry ... I'm just now seeing this.

1 - Yes. You've interpreted the chart correctly.

2 - The chart is only intended to be a guide, not some sort of guarantee.

3 - It's easy for strangers on the internet to spend other people's money.

4 - There are MANY reasons (besides money) to pick one school over another.

5 - Any of the four schools you mentioned can be life changing. When comparing the top 15-20 schools in a vacuum, Booth is dramatically more highly rated than the other three; if you're considering the relative spread between the four within the context of "all MBA programs" however, because the four schools are so much more highly rated than (say) the MBA program at the University of Kansas, the relative difference between the four shrinks, and makes your conclusion far more obvious.

6 - Remember, this is a lifetime degree. You're not going to get another one ... and ... if you're borrowing $ to get it, you'll need to earn enough $ to pay the loans.

7 - I love Ross. If I were staring at a full ride from Ross and a full sticker from Booth, I'd probably pick Ross. Why? For one, I am now old enough to know that enormous amounts of personal debt can be absolutely debilitating to some ... and if not debilitating, then stifling -- it dramatically decreases the risk taking function, which decreases optionality in life, which can decrease lifetime net worth.

8 - If I'm asked to do a third iteration of the rankings, I may come up with two curves - one for those who see themselves spending (say) the first 10-ish years after graduation in Fortune 500 style executive jobs ... and ... another for people who are more entrepreneurially inclined. Just thinking while typing ...

Good luck to you!

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