Kellogg vs. Stern ($$$) vs. Duke ($$$) vs. Michigan Ross ($) vs. LBS

Question

Hi everyone,

Would really appreciate your help with choosing which MBA program I should attend. Some quick background on me:

I am looking to pivot into Brand Management for a Consumer Products company. I currently live in the US but have an international background and would be interested in pursuing an international career (moving back to Europe eventually). Therefore I am looking for a school that has a strong international brand + can prepare me for my desired career change. I am interested in companies like: P&G, Unilever, Nike, Clorox, etc. I have no preference of where I would want to live right after school and will decide based off the best opportunity.

More details on scholarships: 
Kellogg - no money 
Stern - full ride + $10K stipend annually 
Duke Fuqua - full ride 
Michigan - $20K annually 
LBS - no scholarship info shared yet

I am pretty torn so thank you for the help!

BradyMVP · Answer

Brand mgmt leaves you with Stern, LBS and Kellogg imo. If you wish to go international than the answer is the same, no cash bumps LBS out relative to Kellogg. Would have to be between Kellogg and NYU. Kellogg definitely gives you a little bit more of an advantage but not to the tune of 200k imo.

Posted from my mobile device

Posted from my mobile device

BradyMVP · Answer

That said 50% or more at lbs, especially if you’re wanting to live in Europe and work for those companies, becomes mighty attractive. Best of luck and congrats

Posted from my mobile device

JohnJohnJ · Answer

While Kellogg is always regarded as a marketing power house, it’s not 200k better than Stern. 
I recently took up a role for a marketing tech company, where I am also developing the marketing strategy for one of my Detroit based client. Now, to my surprise I have come across many Stern MBAs working on the brand management side for the client (a lot of them from different agencies) 
Traditionally Neilsen’s was a key contributor to brand data, but a lot of smaller companies based out of New York now are doing it with belle and whistles that Neilsen’s does not provide

Posted from my mobile device

FuturePM91 · Answer

All of the companies you mentioned recruit on campus at Kellogg (with the exception of Unilever which has all but cancelled it’s mba on campus recruiting for all schools since 2017). Kellogg is the number 1 marketing school in the world and the marketing faculty/classroom experience definitely reflects that.

There are many students who turned down full rides elsewhere bc of Kellogg’s marketing reputation. So it wouldn’t be unreasonable to do so, BUT it’s definitely not an easy choice. I think it would also be reasonable to accept one of your full ride offers instead, especially because CPG does not pay well. You should expect something around $110k-$115k starting for a CPG brand management role.

I think you should spend some time talking to students going into brand management about their experience from each of the schools and then go with your gut. Ask about recruiting and the academic programs. Ultimately you have to decide if the Kellogg brand name is worth the money to you and that’s really going to be based on personal preference.

Also as an aside have you tried negotiating with Kellogg yet?

Posted from my mobile device

Kellogg vs. Stern ($$$) vs. Duke ($$$) vs. Michigan Ross ($) vs. LBS

Which school should I pick?

Prep Toolkit

Top 5 GMAT Debrief Videos

615 to 715 in 15 Days (Ria's Strategies)

More than Quant/Verbal Abilities: Speed vs. Accuracy

745 with Only Self-Prep and GMAT Club

From 555 to 765: 210-point Improvement

Perfect 805 Score Debrief by Julia

My Rewards