UNC vs USC Marshall VS Foster Vs Notre Dame [Solved: UNC]

Perhaps AnkurGupta from UNC or TryingToMakeIt from Foster can chime in?

Thanks!

Hello! Congratulations on 4 admissions, you're very lucky to get to choose from great offers. I'm a current student at Foster and wanted to address a few things you mentioned:
Brand -- Foster is extremely well known in the west coast and in technology. Of my graduating class, I can safely say that currently 50% are confirmed to be heading to west coast tech companies or big brand names companies (recruiting isn't done yet). Since you're certain on technology, this is a great alignment to Foster. You'd be even luckier since you've already been a PM at a tech company, you're 1/3 the way there. (1/3 is your networking and application, 1/3 your interview)


The second thing you mention is cost, and honestly this is my favourite part. Foster's ROI is #1 in the country - it is a very affordable program. Beyond fees and housing, your expenses are at a minimum (we keep our activities very affordable) and thus, you can estimate that you'll cover your loan pretty quickly post starting your job. I know people in the class of 2019 who paid their loan within the first year of working.

Hope this helps. Do reach out if you have any other questions. Goodluck!

Posted from my mobile device

Current 1Y MBA at UNC. Congrats on 4 terrific schools! I wanted to also chime in and help your decision making process. Most people would not think a southern school places well in tech, but tech at UNC is actually the #1 post-mba avenue that students go to. In my class, I know plenty who have signed offers at big tech firms. Although I am not recruting tech, I am actively involved in the recruitment process with my classmates and from what I have heard the majority of students are heading to Google, Microsoft, Dell Technologies, IBM, Cisco, and Amazon. Most of these roles are product management, with a few marketing people sprinkled in. Also this year, Facebook just came on board as well. In addition to west coast, plenty of east coast tech firms recruit here as well. If you choose UNC, you can 100% make your tech dreams happen. We also participate (and win) many tech case competitions, go on treks, and have alumni everywhere. Lastly, UNC just added a STEM concentration that has been met with a lot of excitement. I am pursuing it now and it is challenging but very pertinent to tech roles. You can't go wrong with most of the schools you were admitted to, but I would reach out to UNC, Kenan-Flagler alums and see the employment report and see for yourself! Best of luck.

Thanks, everyone for the input. STEM Designation seems to pushing me to three schools (except Foster, So foster is out). Hence thinking of reaching out to UNC leveraging Marshall's Offer and Vice versa and add Notre Dame Scholarship on top of both.

Any suggestion of the correct way to approach them. Will, it even work given that I don't have a scholarship from either of these schools (UNC and USC, but they, being competitive in ranking may work in my favor)?

It might be tough given you dont have a scholarship from either UNC or USC, but it does not hurt asking. I had a 1 or 2 classmates ask from some money from Carolina and got some. Just be smart of how you frame your request knowing that dollars are probably more or less offered already and they'll wait until they know their yield before attending to request. But definitely try! Good luck and hope to see you in Chapel Hill!

Foster is in the works of getting the STEM designation in order. I'd be surprised if it isn't in place by the time you enter the program.

Posted from my mobile device

For tech I would venture to say that Foster will have the best opportunities at Microsoft and Amazon - but they will most likely be in marketing/ops/sales for Microsoft and PM/Ops/RLDP at Amazon. So if those are in your radar, Foster is a good bet and it is a much more affordable program as TryingToMakeIt mentioned.

UNC is a better ranked school but I would have reservations on PM recruiting. If you are dead set on PM, I would probably pick Foster.

BTW, if STEM is important to you, and it can be a game-changer for international student, ask Foster what their plan is. If they cannot confirm, I would be hard-pressed to take that risk. In that case, UNC would be a winner. Have you tried negotiating with UNC?