Booth vs. Darden (full ride)

Question

Hey All!

Here's the background on me. Have worked in economic consulting for three years, looking to transition into general management, with some interest in social impact/social entrepreneurship as another option. My main goal is to find a general management job with a good work/life balance, since my spouse is a physician, and I want some flexibility for caregiving at home on nights and weekends. We're likely to end up in the Western US in the long run, but not necessarily the first five years out of school.

Due to said spouse, I could make it out of Booth with no loans, but obviously saving that money is appealing as well.

Aside from the money, I think I would enjoy the curriculum/education experience at Booth more, since the professors are world class and there is more freedom to choose, but the community feel is a lot better at Darden, and I feel like I would make more friends and grow my network more there.

bb · Answer

Welcome to GMAT Club and Congratulations on your success! Great job on the applications!

I think the difference between Booth and Darden is minor enough to give the money a meaningful weight. In addition, the case method used in Darden is an attractive teaching approach, though it will whoop your ass. Unless you were going for a very specific industry (e.g. MBB) that required a top 5 status for recruiting, I think you would be fairly well of at both Darden or Booth. I guess one of the questions is whether your spouse is OK living in Charlottsville or Chicago - both have their draws and issues. Make sure you make this decision together - your spouse won't forget if you pick a more expensive school and move to a place he/she did not want to live. Make sure you both are committed and agree to stick it out no matter what. You want a supportive spouse and peace at home while you are getting stressed school. It is easy to try to wing it at this point but it is a bit decision and while the decision-making process may be harder and more intense making it together, it will pay off for the rest of your life ;-)

Take a look at this discussion from a few years ago for a person in your exact situation: booth-vs-darden-145201.html - it seems they chose Booth at the end but I would make your own judgement call.

Also, would encourage you to checkout Business School Reviews: https://gmatclub.com/reviews/business_school/darden-15 and https://gmatclub.com/reviews/business_school/booth-5

Congratulations and Good Luck!

Take a look at this discussion from a few years ago for a person in your exact situation: booth-vs-darden-145201.html - it seems they chose Booth at the end but I would make your own judgement call. Also, would encourage you to checkout Business School Reviews: https://gmatclub.com/reviews/business_school/darden-15 and https://gmatclub.com/reviews/business_school/booth-5 Congratulations and Good Luck!

bjb5228 · Answer

Since you're looking for a general management role and aren't dead set on one of the highly competitive consulting/finance roles, I'd recommend take the ($) and run! $130k+ is a substantial amount to pay for something that you've already received an offer to get for free.

Plus, I have a friend at Darden and he absolutely loves it. Great program!

Plus, I have a friend at Darden and he absolutely loves it. Great program!

jessepinkman · Answer

It sounds like you are leaning Booth but are concerned about community. As a first year Booth student, I can tell you that the community here is great and you will have no issues making friends/building out a network. Even though most of us don't live on campus, 60% of us live within a 5 block radius in downtown Chicago so Booth really doesn't feel like a commuter school. There are tons of opportunities to get to know people through trips (Random Walk is a must), classes, clubs, recruiting, sports, etc. Given that you are more drawn to the curriculum at Booth and are in the fortunate position of being able to attend without loans, I think it makes sense to go for it.

alphabeta1234 · Answer

Booth/HBS are the only schools you can't let money make the decision. Everything else fine. But not Booth/HBS.

PugLyfe · Answer

So money should be a deciding factor if you're admitted to Stanford or Wharton as well? Where do you get your wisdom?

pbwen1988 · Answer

If money is not your concern(without a loan so great!!) and you have decided to invest in a MBA, I think a much higher school will be a choice that you don't regret.

And  dcrames  hope you can share some feedback for my dilemma too..(see my post Yale SOM vs. Stern with full ride, similar but not so similar...)

dbrown · Answer

Well this isn't accurate.

But being married myself, I would ask your wife where she would rather live. If possible, try to gauge weekly workload from current/past students at both schools and see what your wife thinks. Darden is known to be a heavy workload and your wife may think she will be happier in Chicago with you around more, but with less money. Alternatively, that much money could help you put down roots wherever you land post-MBA.

As far as the schools, I think they both get you to where you want to go. Sounds silly maybe, but in similar shoes, my wife would perhaps be the deciding factor.

Booth vs. Darden (full ride)

Booth or Darden (full ride)?

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