Kellogg vs. Tuck???

Question

Hey guys,

I would love your thoughts on attending either Kellogg or Tuck. Tuck gave me a full tuition scholarship, so I am strongly leaning towards there, but wondering if I’m being foolish for turning down Kellogg as a Top 5 school.

I know a big factor is what I want to do post-MBA, and that’s tough for me because I am honestly unsure. I am a management consultant right now and I am certain that I want nothing to do with consulting or finance. So I will likely pursue general management, brand management, retail, human resources, education, media, or non-profit (super wide range, I know!!). Tuck appealed to me because of the small class size. I am not the most out-going person, so I think I like the idea of a close-knit community. However, I have always lived in or near New York City, so in principle, I like the idea of being in the middle of nowhere because I know I will likely never do it again in my non-student life, but at the same time I fear that I will miss the big city.

I feel that Kellogg’s name is a little bit better than Tuck’s, and if I do decide to go with brand management, they are obviously number one. I went to Ivy League undergrad so I guess I would say brand recognition is important to me.

Really appreciate your thoughts and feedback! Thanks a ton!

luckyseventy7 · Answer

Congrats on the offers! Seems like you prefer tuck and they're giving you a full scholarship, so my vote is for tuck.

I wouldn't base the decision on brand alone since 1) they're both great schools and 2) the brand difference is marginal. Outside of Harvard, Stanford, and Wharton, I don't think it matters if you went to a top 5 vs top 7 school. Therefore, I'd prioritize fit and then money.

NickPapagiorgio · Answer

Both are great schools you really can't go wrong. I would like to say though that outside of H/S, all of the M7+tuck/haas will give you equal opportunity in anything really. Tuck gets my vote for 2 reason: One, the money and two, the alumni network. Since you're unsure of what you want to do, those relationships will help out tremendously in connecting you with alumns to explore your interest in a specific field.

Mo2men · Answer

Congrats for the admission in both schools

You have gained full scholarship in one of the best 10 programs. That being said, you will have the opportunity to study in a high quality school and staff who focus on the only MBA program. The small class means more interactions. Although it is remote location, recrutiers come from every place. Tuck prides itself with loyal alumni. All that was told me directly when I was in discussion with Tuck's ambassador. She gave me the real meaning of close knit community. When the class is too fast or you lack something, the school pays for experienced students to tutor you. I really liked the idea. The relationship with the professors are close. It is worth starting your career free of any burdens.

:gl

hugoness · Answer

Congratulations on being admitted to two of the best schools. Regarding your question, I found myself on a similar situation when I had to choose between Tuck and Sloan so I´ll try to share my thoughts in case they help.

I would say that the brandname is not that important as a tie-breaker in this particular case. I would argue that it could be if the other school was Harvard or Stanford, but I see this two schools as peers. On top of that, the amount of money Tuck has offered COULD be enough to choose Tuck over any other school even if the latter had significantly better brandname. On the other hand, it really seems that you truly like Tuck better which, alongside money, would be the other significant factor.

In the end, as someone has already pointed out, it´s all about opportunities, nad I don´t see a big difference between these two schools in that regard. Provided that, I would go with fit and money.

Hope it helps.

Admissionado · Answer

Like a full ride vs. no ride at all?

I'd say that makes the decision a wee bit easier.

I mean, as all the other posters pointed out, in terms of general prestige they are about even. Getting away from paying that massive tuition is worth how many years of your time (plus the incalculable comfort of no debt!). It's be hard to recommend Kellogg over Tuck unles syou have some really really strong practical reason.

JF

bjb5228 · Answer

What a great dilemma. While not to sound harsh, I think choosing Kellogg in this case would be the foolish move. They are similar enough that it definitely is not worth the $1000+ monthly payment after graduation!

domotron · Answer

Come to Tuck :-D

Being objective though, both schools offer the same opportunities so why not go where there is a much smaller financial burden. Throw in the fact that it sounds like you love Tuck already then it definitely makes sense! P.S. It is totally ok to not know what you want to do post-MBA. Once you get on campus there are lots of opportunities for you to chart your own path and explore.

ASP88 · Answer

Hello! Did you end up picking Tuck. I am facing a somewhat similar dilemma (the difference being - I don't have a scholarship offer from either). I am an international applicant. I must confess I am REALLY torn. I got admitted to Tuck three weeks before Kellogg so that gave me an opportunity to really fall in love with the school. Every single person I have reached out to at Tuck has been an absolute gem. Really warm people, so so proud of their collaborative culture, it is almost impossible to not feel the vibe (and that is coming from someone who has not been to either of the two campuses). People at Tuck just seem plain and simple nice!

On the other hand, I am sure Kellogg has a great collaborative community as well but since I just got admitted 48 hours ago I haven't had a chance to see it yet. People have been telling me, and rightly so, that the choice should depend on the industry I want to work in but like you I too am unsure about where I want to land up. I am a career changer and the only thing I know for certain is that I wont be an IB or a consultant. The other factor for me is that I need a brand name which is stronger internationally because I suppose an international applicant (and a career changer at that) can't rely on being given a US work visa post MBA. Does anyone know how does the collaborative culture and campus feel compare for the two schools and which one has a better global recognition? Thanks a lot!

wmay · Answer

Sharing the same problem with ASP88 here man..

Flyte · Answer

First to the OP, I am biased to an extent, but at the end of the day Tuck and Kellogg are peer schools and the value of a full-tuition scholarship is north of $1000 a month in loans post-MBA. This really is a no-brainer, but I am happy to answer any questions you may have regarding Tuck. Plus, Tuck is amazing, I hope you'll come up and experience it first-hand for ASW.

Now ASP88 and wmay, you are both in a great position. I will say, outside of some pre-MBA IBD and PE people, the VAST majority of Tuckies are career switchers, so you will not be alone. I completely understand not wanting to go into IBD or consulting. As someone going into tech, I have had absolutely no trouble on the recruitment front (received my fourth offer a couple of weeks ago and accept another offer, had other interviews still to come that I canceled). Also, the Tuck network is even better than advertised. Everyone from recent alumni to people who graduated 20 years ago are extremely responsive. So, if you intend on going off the beaten path, Tuck really is your best bet.

I am happy to answer any questions you guys may have, so feel free to PM.

PTK · Answer

Does the author stays with us? 
Congs with amazing offers. 
As you wrote "I feel that Kellogg’s name is a little bit better than Tuck’s" just evaluate by yourself how much that "lil bit" compares to full ride. 
Tuck is no brainer choice here.

mbaapplicant2013 · Answer

Congrats. Go to Tuck and don't think twice.

Kellogg vs. Tuck???

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