Deciding between Cornell with a Park and Michigan

Question

Hi guys,

I am deciding between the Park Fellowship at Cornell versus no money at Michigan.

I would want to do into sustainability and am currently applying to the Erb program at Michigan (with full expectation that I will get in).

Which one should I take?

P.S. Ross is re-considering my scholarship seeing that I got the Park. But no results yet.

Any advice would be very welcome.

riverripper · Answer

Sustainability meaning? Personal reasons for being in either location? How much is the Park Fellow.

ak123 · Answer

Oops, sorry.

I am considering environmental sustainability, corporate social responsibility, etc.

The Park Fellowship is a full ride given to 25 students a year, it is a leadership development program that helps you become a better leader.

riverripper · Answer

Take the free ride...Ross and Cornell are basically on par and 100k is a pretty good reason to pick a school.

ncp · Answer

ak123: On average, this is a fair statement.

riverripper

Take the free ride...Ross and Cornell are basically on par and 100k is a pretty good reason to pick a school.

But given your sustainability focus, I dont think there is a clear answer. Erb is amazing for sustainability and career-wise I suspect Ross will provide you more options along with the additional MS in sustainability that will position you ahead of vanilla MBAs. On the other hand, 100K is a very persuasive argument in favor of cornell. I would wait to see if Ross is ready to dole out some money and if you get some $$$ then you may be able to find a satisfying middle ground. If not, you have a tough decision on your hands. Good luck!

edit: Erb's career stats are available at https://www.erb.umich.edu/Education/Mast ... s-2008.htm. See if you can find something similar for Cornell. Also, remember that most ERB employers look for an Erb candidate. So you have a very limited group of MBAs competing for a larger pool of jobs. In addition, you can recruit with every other company that comes on campus to hire the non-erb MBAs.

isa · Answer

Congrats! I don't know very much about sustainability as it relates to bschool programs. A couple of things I would consider:

1) Can you get the jobs in that field you want out of Cornell? How easily?
2) If you can't get your dream job from either school (worst case hypothetical), which school offers you a better choice for a second choice job?
3) Do you have a location preference - midwest/upstate NY?

lsuguy7 · Answer

For sustainability Ross > Cornell. I'm going to be attending Ross but if I were you I'd take the free ride. I didn't do a lot of research into Cornell and how much recruiting they have for energy and clean tech/sustainability.

I'd still take Cornell and know that if I could get a full ride at Cornell I could probably get into my dream job anyway.

I'd still take Cornell and know that if I could get a full ride at Cornell I could probably get into my dream job anyway.

rhyme · Answer

Not knowing anything about sustainability strengths at Ross or Cornell .... I'd almost certainly take the full ride.

lsuguy7 · Answer

We need a Cornell student to chime in on energy/sustainability. I think Erb is amazing, I got to meet a banker to clean energy VC who was an Erb alum, GE Energy, Solar, Wind - Ross has an amazing following in this field. I however choose to not to Erb because it's an extra year, I'd prefer to network my way into the field and use my previous energy background.

Still it's a 3 yr program so an extra year of opportunity cost and your going to pass up a full ride at Cornell? I'd have to see some staggering recruiting numbers from Cornell that would convince me getting into Sustainability is impossible to pass up that scholie.

ncp · Answer

Are you sure its 3 years and not 2.5? One of the ex-gmat clubbers just decided to add Erb to his MBA and he finishes in 2.5 years, not 3.

lsuguy7 · Answer

It's really hard to figure out exactly how long it is because the Erb website claims you can double count some credits but the Erb guys I talked to at GBR seemed to mention the MS part as an extra year.

In this sample plan on the website they show 3 years.

https://www.erb.umich.edu/Education/Mast ... lePlan.pdf

lsuguy7 · Answer

from UofM's website.

"The Frederick A. and Barbara M. Erb Institute for Global Sustainable Enterprise is a partnership with the School of Natural Resources & Environment, which explores how organizations can achieve long-term success through the harmonization of economic, environmental and social interests. The institute’s world-class MBA/MS Program is an integrated three-year experience in which students earn two Masters degrees."

billyjeans · Answer

Congrats man, I hope Ross reconsider and match (at least part) of the schollie.

But either way, they are good schools. You will be alright at both.

Franklin · Answer

I don't know much about sustainability but I do know about the Park Fellowship and that it is very, very prestigious scholarship. I'm a current grad student at Cornell and I know two people that are Park Fellows. The Fellowship is well known among recruiters and the people that are Park Fellows really look out for each other.

I don't know how you could turn down free tuition especially in this economy. Think about it for a sec ... free tuition!

As far as sustainability is concerned I know one MBA student here that wants to do the same thing you want to. If you want I could give you her information and you can chat with her. I'll need to ask her first but I'm sure she would be cool with that.

Just let me know.

riverripper · Answer

I think this has been overlooked. I know many schools have fellowship programs like the Park Fellows, and one of the biggest selling points is they have their own little network. At Kellogg, there is a program, and as part of it they have alumni mentors, special events, and yes having it on your resume wont hurt. I don't know if it is going to be a huge boost in recruiting, but it certainly wont hurt you at all to have a well known scholarship listed.

As for careers, I did lots of energy recruiting, and can tell you Cornell appeared to be just as well represented at most places as Ross. I think some of the midwest places Ross did better but I would imagine some of the eastcoast places Cornell has an advantage. Whether it was traditional oil/utility, or it was in the renewable sector...they are pretty close. Cornell has one of the strongest connections to GE of any school, so you can definitely work the GE wind angle. I have a friend going to another major renewables company that only took a few people this year and one of the others is Cornell.

Its definitely not a knock against Ross to say to go to Cornell...personally I would say Ross over Cornell if money wasnt involved. But a fullride for a school that has a near equal rep is tough to turn down. Especially when you factor in most of the clean tech and renewable companies paying on the low side of the energy pay scale (in the 20-30k less range than the more traditional energy players). 100k less debt gives you tons of freedom when it comes to your future.

lsuguy7 · Answer

I think we've solved this one. Thanks to River for the chime in on Cornell and energy. You've got a named fellowship at a great school - unless you get some sort of match from Ross this isn't even close.

unhedged · Answer

lsuguy,

On topic of Erb being 3 years, I spoke to a current Ross student who told me that the main benefit of the 3 years is the 2 internships. Academically, one can fit many of the courses that interest them within the two year window. Highlighting courses might be an alternative to the full degree.

young_gun · Answer

go 3yr ross dude.

money9111 · Answer

that's a tough one lol best of luck though!

vikrantholidays · Answer

Hi guys nice posting.

Deciding between Cornell with a Park and Michigan

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