Ross PT or Kellogg PT?

Disclaimer: I'm not an expert on PT programs. I'm speaking from my knowledge of applying to both these schools and subsequently interviewing with them.

When I read the first part of your post I was convinced Ross makes more sense for logistic reasons. But later when you mention that you wish to work internationally and that too in Asia region I would say Kellogg is a clear winner here. I'm myself based in Singapore and I did heavy research comparing the brand values of these two schools in Asia region (I wish to move back to Asia in long-term). Kellogg is much stronger compared to Ross.

I really don't know how the PT schedule works. But my suggestion would be to look for jobs in Chicago area close to Kellogg. If in next few weeks/month you get a job or at least get some positive leads then choose Kellogg. If you feel switching your job won't be possible in next 6-12 months then consider your other personal commitments. Can you spare 4-5 hours every week for travel? If yes, choose Kellogg, if No, choose Ross.

On the topic of applying to FT I would say, talk to some PT students in both these schools. If you believe you can achieve your career goals with a PT program, go for PT, else wait for next year and apply FT. Reason is simple, if you wait another year for FT, that means you'll graduate in 2020 with a FT MBA (assuming you get an admit in FT program). If you start PT in 2017, that way too you'll graduate in 2020 with your MBA . Either way you'll graduate in 2020 Isn't the choice obvious here?

Again, I'm not an expert. My comments are based on my understanding of two schools and some bit of logical thinking.

Does it help?

Rather than give you my comprehensive assessment of the the two programs, what I recommend that you do is contact career services for each school and get specific information about MBB recruitment statistics from the part-time program. And, maybe also EY, Deloitte, Booz if you are not locked into MBB (however this is a good litmus test for brand power.)

That is where to start and *just do that* first. Put everything else to the side - this is the most important thing. If you can accomplish the goal with a part-time program, you can work backwards from there but it drives me crazy when applicants just cross their fingers and hope what they are doing (expensive, difficult thing) will work.
If a marketing manager took this approach, they would be sacked straight away.
_________________

Well said

Agree with the statements above talk to some students, recruiters, and school admin. Kellogg PT students are able to secure FT offers at top mgmt, in their final year they interview for the same roles as the FT students. I think the big differentiator here will be the international reputation otherwise Ross would be way more convenient. So you will need to reconcile what is most important to you. Kellogg will provide the most career value it seems
_________________

Thank you for responses. I agree Kellogg is definitely the bigger name but the issue I foresee is that in order to successfully complete a career switch I will need to be heavily involved. If I am in Detroit when companies come to present in Chicago, I will most likely miss company presentations and chances to network. I will only be in Chicago once a week to attend classes so I feel like I would be at a disadvantage there.

I know Kellogg is a bigger name but am I missing something here? Ross is a well known name as well (FT Top 15 and PT top 10 Program). Similar companies come to recruit at both schools. Ross is a 2 year lockstep program with opportunities to recruit with FT students as well.

I have reached out to the admissions office for student and career services contacts. Let's see what they have to say.

Ross is a great program and does particularly well in consulting particularly in the states, you referenced working internationally which is where the Kellogg brand really separates itself. Now if you are considering Kellogg you would probably need to sort out whether you would move to chicago as well that would make your life a whole lot easier. You are taking the right steps and current students/alums/career services should get you all the info needed to make the right decision.
_________________

Let me throw another scenario in the mix. I am still waiting to hear back from Georgetown FT. If I get in, then what would you recommend? GT has a great international presence and has an International Business Experience (similar to Ross' MAP) which provides international consulting experience. I don't want to get ahead of myself but it could be an option depending on their decision.

Do you want to go to school FT or PT? I'm getting some mixed messages here. Did you apply to other FT programs as well?
_________________

Well I always wanted to go FT but I also want to graduate from the best program possible. I only applied to GT FT but before I could hear back from them I heard back from the other schools. I know that GT does not have the same pull as Ross and Kellogg do in the consulting world but it has a good international presence. If I had gotten my GMAT score sooner, I might have applied to more FT programs but here we are.

I have been a lot of research on Kellogg and Ross and I honestly can't seem to figure out why Kellogg is ranked higher than Ross from a PT perspective. From an experience perspective, Ross offers a cohort system which fosters networking, a much higher level than a traditional weekend program where you might take classes with completely new people each quarter. Ross has a mandatory MAP program which provides real world consulting experience, this is not required at Kellogg. Is there something I'm missing here? Are people ranking Kellogg higher only because of the name? Most of the companies that come to Kellogg also come to Ross. If i'm not wrong, all all consulting firms visit Ross.

I owe my deposit to Ross and Kellogg has been extremely slow in getting back to me with any student contacts and since Kellogg doesn't post any post MBA employment statistics, I am no closer to figuring out how the PT MBAs are treated if they recruit on campus (Ross publishes PT employment statistics).

I really want to say yes to Kellogg but I'm struggling to find legitimate reasons besides the 'name'.... Can anyone offer any color on the points I made above?

I just finished the PT Saturday program in January. I had a friend who commuted in from Detroit too, and he was able to manage. It isn't great, but I think the long term value is worth the short term pain. PT students are able to go through recruiting in the fall, and there are consulting firms that meet with and host PT only events. I know of classmates that have recruited for MBB internationally this year too. It's all what you want to make out of it, and if you put in the work there is no reason going PT would eliminate you from consideration. I'm less knowledgeable about the international reputations, but if Kellogg is really that much stronger internationally it would make sense.

Also, if you're able to get into the AO option, the total time to finish would be 1.5 - 2 years if you do 2 classes per quarter. I finished in 18 months by adding in one of the study abroad trips. PM me if there's any other questions you have! Happy to help.