Kenan-Flagler vs. Kelley

Question

I'm in the education sector and eventually aim to be in the Northeast, preferably Boston or NYC. Educational consulting is of interest to me, but I wouldn't necessarily say it is my life's pursuit. However, I know my heart is in the area of college access and I could see myself starting a) my own charter school or b) my own college access non-profit.

Given my geographical desires and career interests, do you all really think one may be better than the other? From a prestige standpoint, it seems they are a wash, which the comparable rankings over the years would support (though it seems if a gun were held to someone's head, Kenan-Flagler might get the nod?).

Anyway, I look forward to your thoughts. Thanks!

harvardbruin · Answer

I'm also interested to hear thoughts on PSU Smeal in relation to the other two. I know Smeal is not as highly regarded as KF or Kelley is overall, but I thought it might be an interesting question considering my strong geographic preference for the Northeast and the fact I'm in the education sector.

harvardbruin · Answer

Bump.

Any specific comments?

Kellogg797 · Answer

I've lived in Boston my whole life. I would not got with Kelley. Even here UNC as a whole has a solid reputation as a good academic university. The only thing people will know about Indiana is that Larry Bird is from there. It wasn't until I started researching MBA programs that I realized Kelley was well respected.

I think you would be much better off at BC/BU/Northeastern (or even Georgetown) if you're targeting Boston. Stronger brands here, with more

I bet most businesses/hiring managers in boston would prefer a BC MBA over Kelley or KF (rankings be damned).

IMO After the top ~15 programs it really becomes all about geography. Most of the top 50 programs will get you a solid job in the region where they are located.

archie9 · Answer

Kenan flagler has by far a better reputation and job placement results than kelley. Given your choice of region, I'd say KF. Am a fan of their faculty, strengthening career services and the fact that they place good amount of people in consulting. Hope that helps.

Posted from my mobile device

Posted from my mobile device

whitman · Answer

UNC is one of those top ~15 programs, though, IMO, whereas Kelley is not. I think both are great, but UNC is definitely a little better and less regional.

VeritasPrepDozie · Answer

KF is the better program and much closer to your target geography so I would go that route if you are choosing between the two

harvardbruin · Answer

Thanks for all the feedback, guys. It's been very helpful. Based off of past threads I've read, along with this one relative to my own wants/desires, it seems KF gets the nod over IU.

However, perhaps a more interesting question is Penn State vs IU. IU has the better rep and program, but PSU is closer geographically to where I want to be (NYC or Boston). What do you all think between those two, as both will be significantly cheaper for me than KF.

harvardbruin · Answer

Thanks for all the feedback, guys. It's been very helpful. Based off of past threads I've read, along with this one relative to my own wants/desires, it seems UNC gets the nod over IU.

However, perhaps a more interesting question is Penn State vs IU. IU has the better rep and program, but PSU is closer geographically to where I want to be (NYC or Boston). What do you all think between those two, as both will be significantly cheaper for me in comparison to Kenan-Flagler.

revul · Answer

I don't follow how if KF > IU then PS vs. IU is on the table. Either way, geographic proximity being helpful is somewhat of a myth - you just need the target company to have some sort of linkeage to your program.. even 1 alum will do. Prestige matters more than I thought coming into the program... I would honestly take KF if you can find the debt capital to cover the difference.

The amount of contact you have with people in a local city is diluted by the probability that several of your classmates have as well. Contact with firms means little, you need to make a connection with someone at the firm so they'll go to bat for you when your resume flops across a decision makers desk. With a multitude of class mates trying to make that connection with program alums at the target company, you're not likely to be those alum's first choice (pure #s) and this proximity does little beyond "well he lived around here for 2 years, it'll be an easier transition". If you go to a program further away that still has alums in your target companies/cities, then the probability of the same number of classmates reaching out to them is dramatically lower. It's harder for you to 'visit' the company but the likelihood an alum will go to bat for you specifically is much higher because you're one of the few students to reach out to them.

TL;DR: Geography is a bit of a myth. It isn't easier to get to city Y from school X because there are more alums there, provided it is the case that everyone is following that logic. The ratio of School X job seeking students/ School X grads matters massively more than raw numbers.

harvardbruin · Answer

PSU vs. IU is on the table because of KF price. I'd been leaning towards IU because of price and comparable prestige, but I wanted to see if the difference between IU and KF is worth the extra cost. It seems that KF continually comes out a little ahead, but the cost issue still keeps pulling back towards IU and PSU. That's really why I brought up that particular "MBA throwdown".

alphabeta1234 · Answer

UNC Chapel Hill is an elite university with a top bschool. I would go there.

Kenan-Flagler vs. Kelley

Kelley vs. Kenan-Flagler

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