UCLA ($$) vs. Haas EWMBA

Question

Hi everyone,

I have 4 years of work experience in Corporate Strategy (F500 company) and I know I want to stay in California. I currently work in the Bay Area and for undergrad I went to Berkeley.

After my MBA, I want to continue to work in Strategy, though potentially in a different industry.

I have a big scholarship to the UCLA full-time program and am on the waitlist for the Berkeley full-time program. After talking with my boss, I now am seriously interested in applying to the Haas Evening/Weekend program (I feel I have a solid chance to get in given I'm on the waitlist to the FT program), although my company will not pay for it. Factoring for in-state tuition, Berkeley will cost ~$90K more than UCLA. However, I will nearly be able to pay off the Haas part time degree with my savings and the income I would earn over the next 3 years from my job.

So my decision is UCLA full-time ($$) vs. Haas Part-Time (no $). What do you think?

Thanks!

bjb5228 · Answer

I picked Haas for a couple reasons. Since you don't want to change functions, I would think there's more value in having an additional 3 years of work experience and an MBA from a higher ranked school. Also, would the $$ from UCLA be enough to offset the loss in salary for 2 years? That's something to carefully consider.

Basically there's two ways to think about it. In 3 years, you'll graduate debt free (or relatively close). Would you rather have your degree from UCLA, or would you rather have your degree from Berkeley with 3 years exp/additional promotion or two/etc.?

CAbschoolapplicant · Answer

Thanks for your post! That's an interesting way of looking at it, and is a strong case for the Berkeley option.

To play devil's advocate, what would the case look like for picking UCLA over the Haas EWMBA? What would I be giving up by choosing Haas? (e.g. would UCLA give me more freedom to switch industries, do full-time programs provide stronger networks, etc.)

bjb5228 · Answer

I mean I think you nailed it. You'd primarily lose the opportunity to do a formal internship in a totally different function (say, marketing instead of strategy) if you wanted to go that direction. Also, you might lose out on formal on-campus recruiting events depending on Haas's recruiting policy.

Cycle14 · Answer

Good discussion - Haas EWMBA does support internships FWIW.

UCLA ($$) vs. Haas EWMBA

UCLA full-time ($$) or Haas EWMBA (no $)?

Prep Toolkit

Top 5 GMAT Debrief Videos

615 to 715 in 15 Days (Ria's Strategies)

More than Quant/Verbal Abilities: Speed vs. Accuracy

745 with Only Self-Prep and GMAT Club

From 555 to 765: 210-point Improvement

Perfect 805 Score Debrief by Julia

My Rewards