Fuqua v Ross

Question

Also posted this on Reddit, but wanted to get GC's thoughts:

Feel fortunate to be in this situation. Looking for feedback and to make sure I didn't miss anything. I applied to a handful of schools round 1 and was accepted to Fuqua, which I put my deposit down for. Waiting for decisions, I also applied to some schools round 2 and just heard back that I got an admit from Ross. Both full price. My goal is to recruit for Tech PM (have relatable experience), preferably in a big metro area (e.g. SF or NYC), and may explore recruiting for consulting. Long term my goal is to launch/co-found my own venture and would like to end up back on the West Coast (e.g. Seattle). It's difficult because these schools are so similar (culture, rank, etc.) Here are the pros/cons I see for both:

FUQUA

Pros:
+ Program4Entrepreneurs (Howie Rhee)
+ Weather
+ No undergrads (more pleasurable two year experience)
+ Paid the deposit already
+ Basketball
+ Team Fuqua - many friends who are alums (helped with recs)

Cons
- Significant number focused on Health Care (not interested in this industry at all)
- No established, student led VC Funds (could I start one though?)

ROSS

Pros:
+ Action-Based Learning
+ Established, student led VC Funds
+ Entrepreneurship rank (& ZLI)
+ Facilities
+ Sports
+ Bigger network/Go Blue (trade offs of having more programs in the con section)
+ High ranking engineering programs to network/collaborate with

Cons
- Weather (I was so miserably cold while I was there for my interview)
- Undergrads (it was a stark contrast to Fuqua)

Another interesting consideration is that I'm waiting to hear where my fiancé gets into for her master's of nursing program. I'll have to make a decision by then, so we've come to grips with the potential of living apart if need we to (we've done it before). She's applied to Duke, but no guarantee she gets in (very competitive), otherwise she'll be in Chicago which is drivable from AA.

It's interesting because I feel like Ross has more positives than Fuqua, but the negatives are real detractors for me. I know what I'm going to get with Fuqua (went to BDW, spent time in Durham). Fuqua seems like the safer option and is where I was leaning, but something is still drawing me to Ross (I'll be able to get to where I want from either program).

What are your thoughts on the situation? (all are appreciated!)

ChipSkylark · Answer

This seems like a gut call to me. Where do you “want” to go? 
Obviously you’re interested in both, but I think there’s usually an internal force that compels you towards one. So I’d take that into account.

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NTSpike · Answer

You say the negatives are real detractors for Ross, but are they really? UMich's undergrad business school is still elite and definite adds energy to the campus. Speaking with a lot of Ross students, I've heard that besides making you feel old as an MBA, working with them is a pretty great experience as most of them are pretty top-tier smart (especially compared to us working folks that have gotten away from academia and focus more on practical work effectiveness). The undergrads also greatly extends your effective Ross network (Fuqua doesn't have an undergrad B-School).

I can't argue with you on the cold. I lived in WI for a year and that Midwest cold is brutal. Personally I think Ross barely edges out Fuqua, but I loved the vibe and energy of the program. If I was in your shoes, I'd eat the deposit cost and jump ship to Ross. I say this as a Fuqua admit who got WL at Ross (still hurts man).

I can't argue with you on the cold. I lived in WI for a year and that Midwest cold is brutal. Personally I think Ross barely edges out Fuqua, but I loved the vibe and energy of the program. If I was in your shoes, I'd eat the deposit cost and jump ship to Ross. I say this as a Fuqua admit who got WL at Ross (still hurts man).

ket310 · Answer

So, you were in at Fuqua in R1 but applied to Ross in R2? That indicates to me that you want to go to Ross more than Fuqua (not sure if that's true). I'd choose on gut feeling but also consider your spouse's admission first. If your spouse gets Duke (which is #1 program for MSN), I'd say definitely go to Fuqua/Duke. If not, being available in 3.5 hours of driving difference can be a great or horrible thing depending on how the relationship goes... I see both pros on cons there.

mradamsmith · Answer

Congrats! Obviously I'm biased because I chose Duke but wanted to share a few thoughts based on what you said:

-I believe there is a student led VC group--the Duke Angel Network! My interviewer was a member.
-I too have no interest in healthcare but the HSM brings an interesting perspective (and top candidates)
-Grad school only--this was HUGE for me too, as it means the network is consistent and the experience is much better.
-Didn't like that Ross offered so many part time (and even online) programs which along with the undergrad exposure alter the "brand."
-Weather, though not top priority, should be one when splitting hairs between peer schools (which we are) and could ultimately affect your experience. Walking around Durham, sports, hiking, etc.
-Team Fuqua, I thought this was an annoying marketing gimmick at first, but it is real (sounds like you've experienced it already).

Good luck!

bb · Answer

Looks like it’s an old-ish thread but let me add my 2 1/2 cents to it. Student clubs and especially the investment fund/VC Are highly competitive. I believe there is a limit as to how many clubs you can apply to, some of them you have to be recommended or invited by a member, and there is a strong chance that you may not get into the competitive ones, especially if you do not have the relevant experience as spots are limited.

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DentTheUniverse · Answer

It’s been a minute since I posted this but I wanted to post an update, primarily to help future prospective students since I relied on these types of threads to make my decision.

I ultimately chose Fuqua. My wife got into the nursing program and it made sense for us to be together on the same campus, at the highest ranked programs we got into. For a month or so after I officially committed to Fuqua and declined Ross, I was a little depressed. There was something about Ross, UM, and AA that really resonated with me. Then I started the program at Fuqua, and now I know I made the right choice. I have a great group of friends, I loved the first set of classes, and I’m feeling good about recruiting.

Speaking of recruiting, I’ve shifted to consulting as my primary pursuit with tech as my backup. Fuqua is giving me the resources to feel confident in this endeavor.

Team Fuqua is real - both the good and bad of it. Orientation was a little much and too rah rah for me. But at the same time the alumni look out for their own and the student body is very close. For example, one of the professors was diagnosed with a life threatening illness and we raised over $5,000 for the family. Someone lost their dog and most of the class came out to look for him.

Anyway, probably not going to be on these forums much going forward, but good luck to all in your future pursuits. It’s not easy but it’s worth it.

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Fuqua v Ross

Fuqua v Ross

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