Stanford MSx or Berkeley-Haas FT MBA (with scholarship)

I'm not sure any grad degree is needed at this point, go directly to those roles you want, leverage your network or cold-call, with your passion it is possible and you can connect the dots in your story without a degree. It's easier these days thanks to Linkedin, people respond better if you tailor your story and demonstrate passion. But if I had to choose - I'd choose the shorter program and network - forget about the courses, or at least don't prioritize them higher than getting your dream job. Other things to consider - culture, people's ego (high at GSB, low at Haas, MSx is prob different), brand (Stanford v Berkeley), and money (especially if you're thinking social impact career).

I realize I’m quite late to this discussion, but I would point out a couple items in that may help you in your decision… or potentially help some future generations even if you have made your decision.

Most applications look for a two year program in order to get a summer internship. If you’re making a big pivot, Especially if you an international applicant without good brands on your resume, you really need that summer internship experience.

I’m not sure about the summer internship for you per se, especially if you have a strong brand-name and you have been at the VP level, I’m not sure you would fit the traditional intern mold.

Second, older applicants tend to have to recruit off campus and I feel like the Stanford program would fit your profile better just because of your classmates. I’ll see you at Berkeley thought of your classmates would be recruiting for the job you had five years ago so they wouldn’t be contributing a whole lot to your development or your career network.

Third, most people get really burnt out after the first year. How are people cannot wait to get out of school and start working and stop being poor. Many gets really burnt out and tired of classes after the first year. There are many reasons for it. Competing priorities, being overworked, being disappointed with some of the classes, and change of personal interest and focus. I feel that for someone in the mid 30s, unless you really want to take a long break and get some soul-searching and really figure out what you want to do with yourself and just get yourself as much time until the decision has to be made, I feel one year is more than enough. The only reason to take a two-year program is it again you wanted more time to soul-searching try things and fail a bit. Otherwise I think all of your goals pointing to a one year program

Congrats on your admits!
BB.

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