UCLA vs NYU vs Kellogg

Question

I have just been accepted to UCLA . I am having a dilemma between UCLA with 30k fellowship/year vs Stern at 10k/year. Both Great school for entertainment /Media. NYU seems to have better ranking and possibly better network. However, UCLA is one of the most prestigious schools in the Heart of entertainment epicenter......and Kellogg is in the top 5 although does not have a entertainment focus, its still one of the best schools for Marketing.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

socalmike · Answer

Since you want to stay in media, I would go with UCLA. You have the ties and the network plus a lot less debt. 60k is a lot if you aren't going into consulting or finance.

SalarymanJ · Answer

A lot of people get hung up on rankings pre-MBA, but almost all alumni I have talked to told me in the end it doesn't really matter. Its definitely helps with your first job, but 3 years down the road no one cares. Look at the school programs, and decide which program makes the most sense marketing wise for your future career goals.

Av · Answer

For entertainment, UCLA holds a very favorable advantage with that fellowship. You should attend whichever school will give you the most long-term satisfaction (regret-avoidance), but I seriously doubt that Kellogg or NYU would provide any career advantages in entertainment worth the 40-60k difference in tuition. Even without the scholarship offer, it'd be completely reasonable to choose UCLA over Kellogg.

That said, there are plenty of variables that can be factored into your decision, beyond career impact and cost of attendance.

That said, there are plenty of variables that can be factored into your decision, beyond career impact and cost of attendance.

Jock4MBA · Answer

Congrats on your multiple offers and you are in a enviable position. I concur with the other posters that UCLA is well positioned to give you an equal start in media with its relationship to the sector in LA, alumni, electives and students. UCLA should give you the same opportunity to achieve your goals after MBA as NYU or Kellogg. $30K a year is a lot and less debt would allow you to consider summer internships and jobs with less pay. Starting salary in some media firms is low and they expect you to work the way up. Once you establish yourself in your first job ans show track record, where you get your MBA is less important. Media organisations are less obsessed with rankings and UCLA MBA carries enough weight. The fellowship on your resume signals recruiters that you are a talented student. Good luck

chenster75 · Answer

Thanks guys! Fellowships aside, I am leaning towards UCLA as well. Although UCLA is ranked slightly lower then both NYU and Kellogg. For Entertainment , there is no other place that is more suitable then So Cal near Hollywood and all the studios. Sometimes I feel like we get blindsided by the rankings and the branding more then what it is that we are trying to accomplish. I am in agreement with Jock4MBA on the internship selections, and being able to work for the right firm.

At this point, I am ruling out Kellogg, NYU is still a possibility. . based on my research, NYU has a tighter network in both east and west cost. I will need to do more evaluation on which school has better Entertainment Curriculums... If I can get more money from NYU, I may consider New York.

UCLA vs NYU vs Kellogg

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