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21 Mar 2014, 12:46
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Just got offers from all schools I applied, all admitted, and all with some kind of scholarships. I am very grateful for the results, especially considering that I applied to all schools in R2 or R3, and with very limited time for preparation (BABY ON BOARD!).
My background is environmental and quality assurance (certification business) with focus on renewable energy and energy efficiency. My post-MBA goal is to join top consulting firm’s sustainability consulting team and long term is to start my own consulting firm focusing on social and environmental sustainability, offering services towards governments, public and private sectors internationally.
I have only chosen 4 schools in DC/MD area mainly because of my family and my newborn baby; I used to have the dream of going to top 10 business school, but that dream was gradually replaced by my daughter’s smiley face :D. Since then I have decided the location of my school. Of course, DC is also the strongest area for federal consulting.
Most importantly, the schools I applied all have very well designed full-time MBA programs, and the people I have met so far are all extremely friendly and professional, at least those I had contact during my on-campus visits, information sessions, class visits, online chats, current students talks, alumni talks, and the admissions committee interviews.
All that being said, I still need some advice from all the experts and experienced MBAs, since I am an international applicant and has never studied in the US before (I studied in Asia and Europe), and do not really get the methodology behind all the rankings, as they appear to be not always consistent from one another. I know if only by looking at their rankings, it should be an easy decision to go for McD (even Smith (No. 24) was ranked once higher than McD (No.30) by BusinessWeek2012), but I still have the following questions to be answered:
1. McD is almost always ranked 5-10 positions higher than Smith and 30-70 higher than the other two programs, but in terms of consulting in environmental / sustainability fields, is it still so much better than all other schools (Smith, GWU and Kogod) and can justify the $110k tuition?
2. Considering the top location of GW (surrounded by IMF and WB, only few blocks away from the White house), and ranked consistently around 50-60, is its geographical advantage surpasses Smith in any way?
3. Kogod is a very sweet small program focusing highly on consulting, only 35-40 people per annual intake, in comparison to other’s 100 -200 intakes per year, it looks very beneficial from the career office support point of view, but is small always better?
4. I believe job placements are more based on your own efforts, motivation and determination, but I was always curious about the average salary published by different schools (in general) even they have very similar employers, does it indicate that with a different school name, you will have a different salary offer even when you take the same job as the other?
I am still researching and gathering information now, and may post further updates just for those who are also interested in schools between top 20 and 100.
Thank you all so very much in advance for your feedback, and I will be very appreciative to any comments and suggestions you want to give me. In case you don’t want to publish your advice, please feel free to send me PM any time.
My background is environmental and quality assurance (certification business) with focus on renewable energy and energy efficiency. My post-MBA goal is to join top consulting firm’s sustainability consulting team and long term is to start my own consulting firm focusing on social and environmental sustainability, offering services towards governments, public and private sectors internationally.
I have only chosen 4 schools in DC/MD area mainly because of my family and my newborn baby; I used to have the dream of going to top 10 business school, but that dream was gradually replaced by my daughter’s smiley face :D. Since then I have decided the location of my school. Of course, DC is also the strongest area for federal consulting.
Most importantly, the schools I applied all have very well designed full-time MBA programs, and the people I have met so far are all extremely friendly and professional, at least those I had contact during my on-campus visits, information sessions, class visits, online chats, current students talks, alumni talks, and the admissions committee interviews.
All that being said, I still need some advice from all the experts and experienced MBAs, since I am an international applicant and has never studied in the US before (I studied in Asia and Europe), and do not really get the methodology behind all the rankings, as they appear to be not always consistent from one another. I know if only by looking at their rankings, it should be an easy decision to go for McD (even Smith (No. 24) was ranked once higher than McD (No.30) by BusinessWeek2012), but I still have the following questions to be answered:
1. McD is almost always ranked 5-10 positions higher than Smith and 30-70 higher than the other two programs, but in terms of consulting in environmental / sustainability fields, is it still so much better than all other schools (Smith, GWU and Kogod) and can justify the $110k tuition?
2. Considering the top location of GW (surrounded by IMF and WB, only few blocks away from the White house), and ranked consistently around 50-60, is its geographical advantage surpasses Smith in any way?
3. Kogod is a very sweet small program focusing highly on consulting, only 35-40 people per annual intake, in comparison to other’s 100 -200 intakes per year, it looks very beneficial from the career office support point of view, but is small always better?
4. I believe job placements are more based on your own efforts, motivation and determination, but I was always curious about the average salary published by different schools (in general) even they have very similar employers, does it indicate that with a different school name, you will have a different salary offer even when you take the same job as the other?
I am still researching and gathering information now, and may post further updates just for those who are also interested in schools between top 20 and 100.
Thank you all so very much in advance for your feedback, and I will be very appreciative to any comments and suggestions you want to give me. In case you don’t want to publish your advice, please feel free to send me PM any time.
21 Mar 2014, 13:13
Kudos
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Have you compared employment reports (what % enter consulting, what pay, what are top employers), that should make your decision easier. I doubt anyone on this board is going to be knowledgeable enough on all 4 program to give you accurate advice. It sounds like Smith would be best for you (almost as good as Mcdonough but way more money), but I'd be interested in hearing what the employment reports say. Small programs are bad generally, you don't get an alumni network, so I would say definitely not on kogod.
23 Mar 2014, 16:50
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Thanks for posting! I don't know where to start. I have a lot of thoughts about school selection. They are often conflicting, so I hope you don't mind sifting through a lot of crap to find a nugget of wisdom 
2. Though worth nothing in practicality, a higher ranking school creates an impression of being vetted or more deserving. E.g. if a Financial planner said and proved he had an MBA from HBS vs. another guy with MBA from Boston University or University of Connecticut, which one would be more likely to trust/feel being vetted?
3. Finally, better schools attract better students and professors. Remember, you are not alone - all of those guys are also choosing based on the same parameters. So the caliber of faculty and peers will be different.
4. Having your tuition covered and having a break is a great option and a great card to have because 5 years after graduation when you have the job you always wanted in the company you wanted to work for where hopefully you will be getting promoted, your degree will not matter, rank will not matter, and nobody will even know or ask you where you got your MBA. The only way you can show off your $100K loan (which 5 years later you will still have), is by buying a $30 sweatshirt with school's logo. However, you have much better chances to get a better job right away and get a higher pay, so the trade off in terms of money is very often worth it.
5. At the same time, the main difference is MBA vs. just undergrad and what MBA enables you to do.
6. Going to the best school in town is also helpful. E.g. Georgetown is an aspirational school with many graduates hanging in around the DC area. That's the best place anyone could go, so you would get the respect of being the winner, the best vs. a second tier school, "me-too" type of thing. You know what I am talking about? This aspect is very important to some who must have the best and will not settle for less. Are you a person who needs to have the latest mode of iPhone the day it comes out or will you wait a year and buy it at a discount? Thing of it this way, are you willing to trade a starting position/salary for free tuition?
Second, would be to visit/sit in a class of both schools and compare them. There should not be any issues attending a class and seeing what caliber of students are there. Make sure you go to the first year class. Second year is a whole different ball game and won't give you a good impression. This will show you A) Profs, B)Students, and C)Teaching style and expectations. Try to attend at least 2 classes (for half time each). The reason I would suggest 2 is that the adcom is not dumb and they will stick you into the best class from the best prof... they have a job to do as well - convert you into a student.
Third, attend the admitted students weekend and try to meet as many people as you can. First impression are deceiving but you can often tell who the future classmates are. Ask them if they have decided. You may find many friends as chances are, you will all be considering the same schools
Fourth, if you really wanted to be scientific, create a grid and write down and then rank the schools. You will probably end up not with the one you want to go to (that's how it works for me, which I then proceed to fudge the numbers so that my gut choice looks better).
Fifth, you should ask adcom and look up stats for recruiting your target industry/job placement/etc. Try to get as much info as you can.
About Rankings and What they Really Mean (My personal opinion)
1. Yes job efforts are often based on personal drive but they are often based on meeting someone, getting to know someone in the industry that feels you fit into their framework or alumni base. Which school would be more likely to have alumni in your areas of interest? Additionally, top schools often have recruiters come on campus. Non-top schools do not. On Campus recruiting is not a guaranteed thing by any means, but that's nice to be wanted or at least have that impression.2. Though worth nothing in practicality, a higher ranking school creates an impression of being vetted or more deserving. E.g. if a Financial planner said and proved he had an MBA from HBS vs. another guy with MBA from Boston University or University of Connecticut, which one would be more likely to trust/feel being vetted?
3. Finally, better schools attract better students and professors. Remember, you are not alone - all of those guys are also choosing based on the same parameters. So the caliber of faculty and peers will be different.
4. Having your tuition covered and having a break is a great option and a great card to have because 5 years after graduation when you have the job you always wanted in the company you wanted to work for where hopefully you will be getting promoted, your degree will not matter, rank will not matter, and nobody will even know or ask you where you got your MBA. The only way you can show off your $100K loan (which 5 years later you will still have), is by buying a $30 sweatshirt with school's logo. However, you have much better chances to get a better job right away and get a higher pay, so the trade off in terms of money is very often worth it.
5. At the same time, the main difference is MBA vs. just undergrad and what MBA enables you to do.
6. Going to the best school in town is also helpful. E.g. Georgetown is an aspirational school with many graduates hanging in around the DC area. That's the best place anyone could go, so you would get the respect of being the winner, the best vs. a second tier school, "me-too" type of thing. You know what I am talking about? This aspect is very important to some who must have the best and will not settle for less. Are you a person who needs to have the latest mode of iPhone the day it comes out or will you wait a year and buy it at a discount? Thing of it this way, are you willing to trade a starting position/salary for free tuition?
A few thoughts about the evaluation process:
My suggestion would be to first estimate if you can afford McDonough. Is it feasible so that you are not torturing yourself it is outside of reach with family and baby.Second, would be to visit/sit in a class of both schools and compare them. There should not be any issues attending a class and seeing what caliber of students are there. Make sure you go to the first year class. Second year is a whole different ball game and won't give you a good impression. This will show you A) Profs, B)Students, and C)Teaching style and expectations. Try to attend at least 2 classes (for half time each). The reason I would suggest 2 is that the adcom is not dumb and they will stick you into the best class from the best prof... they have a job to do as well - convert you into a student.
Third, attend the admitted students weekend and try to meet as many people as you can. First impression are deceiving but you can often tell who the future classmates are. Ask them if they have decided. You may find many friends as chances are, you will all be considering the same schools
Fourth, if you really wanted to be scientific, create a grid and write down and then rank the schools. You will probably end up not with the one you want to go to (that's how it works for me, which I then proceed to fudge the numbers so that my gut choice looks better).
Fifth, you should ask adcom and look up stats for recruiting your target industry/job placement/etc. Try to get as much info as you can.
P.S. and final thoughts:
I probably would have gone for GWU when I was 25. I am older now and I feel I don't have as much time to "climb the ladder" and fight getting a job, so it is worth more for me to have a reputation of a school I could be throwing around (name dropping), having more prestige, and probably tigher alumni network of Georgetown but I am also much more financially secure today. At 25, I wanted an MBA and any type would work as long as I could afford it. Right now I am picky and willing to pay for the right thing. Just a different stage of life. There is no right choice for all, but each has its own.
) 
