Need guidance: UT McCombs vs UNC Kenan-Flagler ?!?

Question

Hello fellow gmatclub members,

I am really struggling with making a decision between the two schools. I would appreciate any thoughts/guidance you might have about the two schools. Here are my thoughts and goals.

Thoughts about my goals

[*]I am interested in high-tech social entrepreneurship (solar and wind energy tech, affordable consumer devices for developing countries, socially responsible business).
[*]The cost of the MBA is not a deciding factor, but the financial gap exists (UNC will cost about $30k more over 2 years).
[*]I tend to learn best via hands-on real world type experiences. I strongly favor team exercises.
[*]My family wants to ideally end up on a coast (east or west). Probably need to be near a high-tech area.

Thoughts about the schools

[*]They are very close in the rankings (UT dropped to 17 and UNC jumped to 19 in US news). Business week has UNC higher than UT. Mixed about overall reputation?!?
[*]Pay numbers seem to be very close.
[*]UNC seems to be very focused on team based learning and socially responsible business.
[*]UT seems to focus on solid financial training and entrepreneurship (a lot more lecture and financial based competitions). Also #1 accounting and #7 entrepreneurship program ranking for US News.
[*]UNC is in the research triangle and is known for its innovative environment for small business.
[*]UT has been called the high-tech capital of the south (strong ties to silicon valley).
[*]Both schools seemed nice when I visited. They had very friendly students who talked a lot about teamwork. I think UNC had more technology in the classrooms (recording classes and the capital markets lab).
[*]UNC seemed to have a more active NetImpact Org. I enjoy serving on boards and helping local not-for-profits.

Am I missing anything? Thank you all for your advice.

jordanhendrix · Answer

this is really easy you want tech? go to UT....and the hell with the rankings UT has a better name nation wide....but only slightly.

oh and chapel hill sucks compared to Austin

lagomez · Answer

So tell us how you really feel. Just kidding

I too would choose McCombs. The opportunities in Austin for tech and entrepreneurship exceeds those at chapel hill. There are plenty of McCombs alumni on both coasts.

jordanhendrix · Answer

yea what lagomez said lol

MyckKabongo · Answer

As always, take a look at the placement stats. I think you'll find that UNC puts substantially more grads into social enterprise and sustainability jobs. You would probably have a tougher time recruiting for these jobs at Texas.

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Posted from my mobile device

sdg · Answer

Both schools are better known regionally, but I’ve interviewed on both coast so it’s not impossible to go east or west. My opinion is biased, but I would choose UT

Throughout the first semester at UT every class has teamwork elements (you work with the same team the whole semester). My group continues to work together on projects.

wmcrockett · Answer

Chapel Hill is also home to Research Triangle Park, one of the fastest growing areas for tech in the country. It'd be a great place to do an internship, or even work if you plan on living on the east coast.

Plus, UNC is still in the sweet 16, while Texas seems to have made an early exit....I think the decision makes itself!

Plus, UNC is still in the sweet 16, while Texas seems to have made an early exit....I think the decision makes itself!

jordanhendrix · Answer

^^ get ready for some longhorn wrath

Impalpable · Answer

What do you mean by the "sweet 16"? I assume you mean the BW ranks, but I want to make sure.

lagomez · Answer

NCAA Basketball

jordanhendrix · Answer

^^^ he means the basketball tournament that is going on right now.
UT beat UNC to advance to the top sixteen teams...which i called the sweet sixteen.

Its just a sports reference

sdg · Answer

Good point; I guess UNC it is.

Impalpable · Answer

Haha, To be honest I don't really think the strength of the bball teams matters much to me in this process (I'm more of a football guy myself).

wafflehouse · Answer

If you're interested in anything energy-related, that seems to favor Texas. Think they have a "clean tech" concentration that sounds cool if that's what you're looking to get into.

A student I spoke with there made an interesting geographic obersvation noting that it's <3 hour flight to either coast from Austin for recruiting purposes, with pretty good airline connections out of Austin, and that while they are clearly a huge player in the state of Texas, they do okay on the West coast and northeast.

MyckKabongo · Answer

Check the energy thread in the careers forum. There is an enlightening post on UT. It goes along with what I've heard, which is that energy at McCombs is dominated by oil and gas with a minor presence for renewables. It's the exact opposite at UNC, where interest in renewables is much greater than in traditional fuels.

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Posted from my mobile device

Impalpable · Answer

Thanks all for the replies. I am set up to talk with a UNC student today and a UT student next week. My interested in clean energy it only a small part of my overall interest in high tech. Please feel free to share any more advice you might have on the subject.

jordanhendrix · Answer

where are you leaning?
what does your gut tell you?

Impalpable · Answer

Honestly I'm not sure which way I am leaning. Perhaps just slightly toward Texas. I think attending preview weekend at UT next week will help. I would also like to see if either school gives any kind of scholarship $$. I didn't think to ask much about energy/high-tech while visiting UNC. Most of my questions were geared toward social enterprise and activities where I could do consulting work for not-for-profits.

Rafell · Answer

Hello Folks,
Coincidence!!! I am in the same dilemma. Admits from both of these schools. I want to go into Corporate Finance post MBA, have 6 yrs of IT consulting exp. I am an international student. Here are a few points I am ocnsidering:
1. Which one places me in better situation for career switch(IT Consult to FinancE)?
2. Mccombs seems to have a great presence in energy finance(traditional energy). However, I heard from a few friends that Petroleum/Oil companies don't recruit internationals. Can any one validate this please?
3. Geographical location makes it more plausible to search jobs on both coasts PLUS Texas itself has a great insudtry presence. UNC by contrast is far reach from west coast and less industry presence, so more travel for job search.
4. Cost - UNC is slightly costlier, but Mccmobs does not provide loan for internationals:( A big constraint here.
5. I've visited UNC and found the atmosphere very nice. Haven;t visited Mccombs but heard great things for this school too.

All said and done, post MBA career oppportunities and switch are 2 top deciders for me. I request to help me out here with your inputs. It'd be great if you can point out any significant factor which I am not taking into consideration here.

Need guidance: UT McCombs vs UNC Kenan-Flagler ?!?

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