GMAT Club Legend
Joined: 10 Apr 2007
Posts: 4307
Given Kudos: 5
Location: Back in Chicago, IL
Concentration: General/Operations Management
Schools:Kellogg Alum: Class of 2010
Q49 V42
Re: Value of a named fellowship
[#permalink]
04 May 2009, 09:00
I think it really depends on the fellowship. Schools have so many small unknown scholarships that those dont mean much, other than a well off alumnni gave a bunch of money for a scholarship fund. I got one at the end of this year and I dont think it would have any impact on recruiting. Unlike undergrad when there is little to separate students, in B-school you have a resume with a bunch of work experience that means more than a Bob Jones scholarship. I dont think anyone I talked to ever was asked about scholarships on resumes, and that is the kind of oddball question we would discuss.
I know a friend who has a big name scholarships and is still looking for a job, so obviously its not a golden bullet...I think the strength of a program in a given field will be a bigger factor. I think a name scholarship is like putting a high GMAT on your resume, its nice to have but if they dont like the work experience that name/number is not going to do anything for you. With the current recruiting scene, I think that the strength schools have within that industry is going to play a much bigger factor. Companies cut back on hiring, so having more options and recognition within your desired industry is the most important thing.
However, certain schools have a small number of very big name scholarships like the Park at Cornell or Austin at Kellogg (full/half rides and sometimes stipends). Those are well known by recruiters and might get attention. Oh the other special cases might be a corporate scholarship but only for the company that gives it out, otherwise I wouldnt even put the name on my resume...and then there are some very special cases like the Jacob scholarships will be big at Kellogg just because of the name recognition from alums, the guy was Dean for 20 years and is loved by alums.
If it was up to me and was 20k with no-name vs 10k with a name...I would take the 20k every single day of the week. Heck if Kellogg made me choose between 15k with a name and 16k without a name, I would take the 16k. If strength in desired industry is equal, difference in money isn't a factor...then go with Fit since thats more important than some unknown name.