Kellogg with $$$ vs Wharton/Lauder

Question

Hi all! After a stressful application year, I was presented with two great opportunities. Wharton and Kellogg. At Kellogg I was awarded 100k (50k a yr) in fellowship money vs Wharton/Lauder (no scholarship money and Lauder is an additional 40k). I am looking to get into MBB consulting or a management program at a fortune 500 company. I have saved enough money for my MBA, but still the fellowship money is nice. I would appreciate GC members' advice!

Thanks!

Thanks!

mgg234 · Answer

I would definitely take Wharton with money over Wharton without money ;-)

(I edited the typo in your title for you) I think in this case, Kellogg is the easy choice. Since you want to do MBB, Kellogg and Wharton place exactly as well....so you're not getting any additional value from Wharton. Kellogg has a very strong network and global presence, so it's not like you're going to a school in the 10-15 range, which would make the choice more difficult (since they would be a lower tier, and more regional). Up until this year, Kellogg was ranked 4 and Wharton was ranked 3, so I think its a hard case to make that Wharton is $150k better than Kellogg. MBB's take almost a third of the kellogg class, and with a near-full scholarship, you're pretty much definitely getting one of those offers. Perhaps I'm drinking the kool-aid, but I've met admit classes from several schools, and Kellogg has had by far the best student body, so that's something to consider too - you'll probably enjoy your time more at Kellogg.

bdepp · Answer

Obviously mgh and I are biased, but I tend to agree with him. $140k is a hell of a lot to pay for a marginally better brand name.

MBA2016MBA · Answer

Thanks yes to clarify its 100k total...but yea 140k pre-tax money.

Toews2Kane · Answer

I also think that the correct decision is certainly for Kellogg. Also, just from an MBB perspective. It seems safe to say that if you weren't going to get a position at an MBB coming out from Kellogg, you aren't going to get it coming out of Wharton. Both schools will give you an equal chance at it, so at this point it's up to you.

DefyingGravity · Answer

You didn't mention working internationally, so I'm assuming that's not hugely important for you. If it is, then I would pick Wharton/Lauder.

If it's not, then there's not enough difference between recruiting opportunities in MBB between the two schools to justify the difference in money, and I would go with Kellogg.

bdepp · Answer

Right, I meant if you go to Wharton you'd be giving up the $100k scholarship and paying an additional $40k for Lauder. So essentially, $140k more to go to Wharton over Kellogg. Unless I misinterpreted your original post.

MBA2016MBA · Answer

I would like to work internationally. However, I understand that around 20% of Kellogg graduates work internationally post their MBA. So it seems like that professionally could still happen. I also speak the language in my lauder track very well.

MBA2016MBA · Answer

yess - you are correct. it is 140k more to go to Wharton/Lauder over Kellogg. And, I have heard MBB loves Kellogg people. (not to say they do not like Wharton)

MacFauz · Answer

I voted Kellogg.. The prestige difference is very marginal and in the light of 140k, non-existent.. Wharton in recent years has become more of a peer school to the likes of Kellogg and Booth than to the likes of HBS and Stanford...

domotron · Answer

Take the money and run! There isn't much between Kellogg and Wharton. The Lauder program is interesting but not enough so to justify the $140k difference.

kingfalcon · Answer

I successfully recruited for MBB consulting internships this year. Without a doubt, go to Kellogg. And, if you are so inclined, just use some of your credits at Kellogg to cross-register for foreign language and/or IR classes at Northwestern.

MBA2016MBA · Answer

Thanks for feedback all. What stinks is the Wharton/Lauder matriculation deadline is April 14th, since classes start May 5th! I will not even get to go to Kellogg's welcome weekend. I will attend Wharton's and see how I fit in. I am wondering if Wharton comes back with money? I still feel tho that I would enjoy the Kellogg experience a bit more.

DefyingGravity · Answer

I know this decision is stressful, but keep in mind that this is an awesome problem to have!

MBA2016MBA · Answer

Thanks - I know I can't go wrong and I am leaning Kellogg. Wharton is a great program and so is Lauder but the costs are just too much in my mind.

gmatbugsme84 · Answer

Go for Kellogg... unless Wharton comes back with money... even then it would still be something to think about... Both your career goals seem to be met at either school with great Brand recognition...

+1 for Kellogg

MBAIvy · Answer

Think long-term, versus short-term, in terms of alumni network and international opportunity. If you have the money, I would go to Wharton. You can't lose at either school, but I would position myself at the absolute highest level I had access to.

I'm a Harvard graduate, and a former Harvard admissions interviewer --

Jillian
CEO/President
MBA Ivy League
www.MBAIvyLeague.com

MBA2016MBA · Answer

Thanks yes I have the money to pay for it but I actually do not want to do Lauder. I applied thinking I would but realize i already worked abroad and speak my target language well, so this is also quite repetitive. Since I was accepted to the Wharton Lauder program, I now cannot do just Wharton.

I think regardless if I want to work abroad again I can do it either at Kellogg or Wharton as I already speak another language and have worked abroad In that language.

As for Wharton, is the alumni base that strong? Yes I know it's large but is it loyal? For example I always hear how a Kellogg or tuck alum will help Kellogg or tuck students out but I never hear that about Wharton.

Posted from my mobile device

mgg234 · Answer

Keep in mind "Harvard Ivy MBA" is quite misleading...If you check her post history, she didn't go to Harvard for her MBA.. I'd take what she says with a grain of salt. she went to Harvard for a MA, then did interviews for undergrad (which are just alumni interviews, not an official job), and purposely trying to twist words without explicitly lying. The whole notion of her consulting business "MBA IVY league" is silly, there are more non-ivies than ivies in the top 10 schools...I think she's trying to apply an undergrad concept to mba, which makes me think she didn't even get an MBA anywhere, making her especially unqualified.

I'm going to raise a mod note on this, as I think there's a major danger of someone hiring her thinking they are getting a harvard mba when they are not.

I'm going to raise a mod note on this, as I think there's a major danger of someone hiring her thinking they are getting a harvard mba when they are not.

MBAIvy · Answer

I have been running my MBA specific admissions firm for the last 10 years out of Manhattan, and am well-respected within the various schools, drawing most of my clientele from the NY/ Wall Street financial world. I am a Harvard grad, and have an excellent success rate getting clients in to the most competitive Top Ten programs. I do have an M.A., and not an MBA, and have never tried to mislead anyone about my credentials. The bottom line is, I have been doing this for 10 years now, initially building my firm on the foundation of my admissions experience with Harvard's College of Arts & Sciences, focusing more and more on MBA and EMBA clients as the years progressed until the MBA became my sole focus, and I know what works to get you in.

I've worked with some of the most successful hedge fund and financial leaders in NY, helping them gain admissions to Columbia University, London School of Business, Harvard, Yale, Tuck, Kellogg, Wharton, Booth, etc., just to name a few.

Jillian
CEO/President
MBA Ivy League
(646) 276-7042 (NYC)
https://www.MBAIvyLeague.com

Kellogg with $$$ vs Wharton/Lauder

Kellogg with $$$ vs Wharton/Lauder

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