Yale($) vs MIT Sloan

Question

Hi all,

I'm trying to choose between Yale ($20,000/year scholarship) and MIT Sloan (no $). I appreciate people's honest thoughts please after reading my background.

I'm currently an engineer in a major oil and gas firm and I know a few Yale alumni in my company already working in my ideal job. 
Post-MBA I want to work in renewables or oil/gas in a commercial team. Long term the goal is to work in strategy planning and implement more renewables into the portfolios of major oil/gas firms.

I'm also reaching out to the Energy clubs of both schools to see what recruitment in my desired industry is like - as that will play a big factor. I don't see much difference between the schools in terms of post-MBA salary.

Instinct is to go for MIT because of the ranking but after doing a detailed cost analysis (that's the engineer in me) - it takes MIT at least 5 years to break even with Yale.

Thanks in advance!

AnthonyMason · Answer

$40,000 per year?

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teddy2016 · Answer

Apologies I'll fix the text. 
$20,000 per year.

Mo2men · Answer

It is a nice engineering dilemma :-D

I'm concerned about 2 issues: 1- Regardless of the salary indifference, what is the percentage of students recruited in Yale compered to MIT in energy/oil sector? 2- On long term, how do you see both schools will help you transit to work in strategy planning and implement more renewables into the portfolios of major oil/gas firms? This is important. Are there any specialized in strategy in energy? if yes, you need to know from which school they recruit. I hope it helps

teddy2016 · Answer

Thank you for highlighting those two issues. 1 - percentage is the same in both schools at the 3% mark for energy/oil recruitment. It's not what people traditionally think of doing after an MBA at any school I suppose. Consulting % recruitment is also same for that matter (my backup). They have the same companies recruiting as well. 2 - I have quite a few Yale alumni within my current major oil and gas company. One is working in my desired role at present so he's been a great contact. He's working with renewables and strategy. Thanks again for helping point those out! So far I'm finding the Yale students and alumni the most helpful to me and it really aligns with the saying that Yale SOM students are very loyal to each other. They've been most willing to talk to me over the phone rather than email. I think I'm close to my decision.

Thanks everyone!

Mo2men · Answer

It is really true about loyalty among Yale students. You belong to those culture. Yale is calling you :gl

teddy2016 · Answer

Thank you Mo2men!

mfprado1073 · Answer

Energy is also something I carefully consider for my post-MBA goals so I'll give my two cents on the matter.

I researched a lot about energy clubs and energy courses in each of the schools I applied to. I honestly came to the conclusion that, as Energy is not a major focus for MBA students, the intensity of exposure to the Energy field will depend heavily on where the school is located. Out of the 5 schools I researched, London Business School showed to have the strongest link to energy, partly due to the fact that London serves as the headquarters for many energy companies. On the other schools, the Energy Club did not stand out as a differential.

I guess both MIT and Yale will tell about their Energy Conference and the Houston trip that former students have done, but they'll not give you a "wow" factor.

On the other hand, as school boes, MIT and Yale are both Top-5 universities with a solid reputation all around the world. Their BS are in different positions, with Yale SOM climbing up the ranks, with more selective profiles each year where MIT Sloan is already one of the most selective, with a very strong reputation.

As you don't want to switch careers or even switch company, I would assume any of the schools will give you a great experience and both will accept you with arms wide open when you're back!

Congratulations on that great position to be in!

Flyte · Answer

For energy, MIT is really doing quite well right now and while Yale SOM punches above its weight for banking, it definitely lags within the energy space.

Source: Two friends at MIT Sloan who are in the energy club and who have offers in the energy sector.

jconnol8 · Answer

in 2014 about 6% of SOMers went into energy. Last year 3.1% compared to 3.4% for MIT. Not sure there's much difference for oil&gas recruiting

Yale($) vs MIT Sloan

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