Emory MBA/MPH ($) vs. Owen Vanderbilt ($)

Question

Hi all,

I'm trying to make a decision before Emory's deposit deadline next week, so any insight would be helpful!

Currently looking at these two offers:
Emory MBA/MPH dual degree with 40% scholarship ($ only applies to Goizueta)
Owen MBA with 50% scholarship

I currently work in healthcare (non-business background, at a healthcare provider in population health, basically work on quality improvement, strategic operations, etc) and looking to go into healthcare consulting immediately after graduating.

I feel like this would be an easy decision, given my interest in healthcare/public health/potential long-term plans of moving from consulting into the public sector/policy work BUT a few things are holding me back:

- I went to Emory for undergrad--didn't touch Goizueta while I was there, other than having friends in the BBA program, so I'm not worried about overlap since I have literally no business background/training, but is this (having your degrees from the same school) something that people care about/frown upon/see as weird in the business world?
- In the same vein: it would be nice to expand my network at a different school/within a new city like Nashville. PLUS Owen has a strong hc concentration + opportunities and location in a healthcare hub city
- Although everything I have read and heard indicates that Goizueta is stronger in recruiting for consulting (regionally), I feel like I might end up in the same type/tier of consulting regardless of where I choose to go (--even with the MPH. I honestly can't tell how much bearing the MPH will have on my recruiting process but I get the sense that it won't make a huge difference, placement-wise, until I'm further into my career.)
- The extra cost of the MPH right now is another +50k (the MPH program doesn't notify admits about merit scholarships until March, for some reason).

I'm sure I would be happy in either of these programs -- they're of similar size, and it'll be nice to trade New England winters for southern "winters" again, whether that's in Nashville or ATL. I'm most likely overthinking all of this, but any pieces of advice/insight/personal experiences/biased opinions are welcome

bb · Answer

Congratulations!

Owen is obviously very strong in healthcare - second after Fuqua. I think it would be a strong fit with Vanderbilt Healthcare and med school.

PS. I also feel it is not a crazy idea to pay 2 deposits to see what March brings. Are they 2-3k?

Posted from my mobile device

calleuruguay · Answer

bb  Thanks! Yeah, Emory's is 2,000 and Owen's is 1,500. So, not a wild idea to pay both and keep both options open, I guess?

And yes, I guess my main qualm (apart from the whole undergrad + grad thing haha) is that Owen def has the stronger HC aspects within its MBA program, but Emory is a pretty robust ~tier 2~ consulting machine, and they have a good public health program & strong on campus recruiting.

Also: irrelevant to my current decision, but found out this evening that I was waitlisted at Duke, so gonna work that but operating under the assumption that it won't be part of the picture anyway since I assume that waitlist acceptance rates are realistically pretty low :/

bb · Answer

Fuqua has pretty bad waitlist history with keeping many people waiting until August. Many have already applied to early deadlines at other schools for the following year while waitlisted at Fuqua.

But you never know with waitlists. Your strategy with assuming it won’t happen is good. abhimahna is a great source and wealth of knowledge with Emory

Posted from my mobile device

abhimahna · Answer

Thanks bb for tagging me in.

Hey calleuruguay , Congratulations for the two admits. I completely agree with whatever bb has mentioned above. Emory is well known for its strong Healthcare program and obviously consulting. I would prefer to talk to people from both the universities and seek advice on how is the education and the current placements scenario. Moreover, Emory (the overall university) has a strong brand reputation as one of the best universities in the South East. Atlanta itself has various healthcare opportunities for healthcare. I would go with Emory. Talk to current students, alums and determine which is the best "fit" for you. All the best and keep us posted on what you decide.

Maupassant9 · Answer

If you want to get into Healthcare consulting then Vanderbilt is a no brainer. EY healthcare is opening a new office in Nashville this year. They will add 600 jobs to the market. This year healthcare consulting recruitment at Vanderbilt was extremely strong. I am a current student and will go for healthcare concentration. Feel free to reach out. Vanderbilt MBA in healthcare only comes second to Fuqua.

Emory MBA/MPH ($) vs. Owen Vanderbilt ($)

Emory MBA/MPH ($) vs. Owen Vanderbilt ($)

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