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anderstern
Current Student
Joined: 06 Jun 2020
Last visit: 16 Apr 2021
Posts: 2
Given Kudos: 1
Schools: Anderson '23 (A$) Stern '23 (A)
15 Apr 2021, 09:47
Kudos
Bookmarks
Hi all,
I've been struggling with this decision for quite some time. Actually put in my first Stern deposit yesterday to buy some time before UCLA's deadline but it left me feeling even more undecided. I'm looking to go into marketing management after my MBA. I have a strong interest in media & entertainment, but it's likely that I would do more traditional marketing for a tech/CPG company right out of school and eventually shift into the entertainment space long term. I've lived in both New York and LA, and have always liked NYC better--just feel like I vibe more with the culture and how accessible/compact it is. I would agree that LA has a better "quality of life" overall (better weather, car) and I have a bit of seasonal affective disorder, but I still missed New York when I lived in LA (maybe it's nostalgia?).
Also, I think both schools are a culture fit so not considering that as much.
Pros for NYU
Pros for UCLA
Curious to hear your thoughts--mostly interested in whether the money is too much to pass up and if the career options are going to be better at one vs the other.
I've been struggling with this decision for quite some time. Actually put in my first Stern deposit yesterday to buy some time before UCLA's deadline but it left me feeling even more undecided. I'm looking to go into marketing management after my MBA. I have a strong interest in media & entertainment, but it's likely that I would do more traditional marketing for a tech/CPG company right out of school and eventually shift into the entertainment space long term. I've lived in both New York and LA, and have always liked NYC better--just feel like I vibe more with the culture and how accessible/compact it is. I would agree that LA has a better "quality of life" overall (better weather, car) and I have a bit of seasonal affective disorder, but I still missed New York when I lived in LA (maybe it's nostalgia?).
Also, I think both schools are a culture fit so not considering that as much.
Pros for NYU
- My favorite city between the two.
- I feel that the accessibility of the city will make it better for networking and building relationships.
- Slightly better brand and ranking
- Core business curriculum seems stronger
Pros for UCLA
- $70,000 scholarship
- Would not have to move my stuff across the country and I already have a car
- Close to tech/media companies
- Weather
Curious to hear your thoughts--mostly interested in whether the money is too much to pass up and if the career options are going to be better at one vs the other.
15 Apr 2021, 10:34
Kudos
Bookmarks
Congratulations on your Admits and a great scholarship at Anderson!
It is tricky with some of the decisions. I am very happy you did not include vibe of other people, fit into the program, how responsive the community is, into the mix. That stuff is surfacy and in 2 years when you are looking for a job it won't matter at all how good your fit was. I see a lot of people making the business school decision based on the FB group chatter. Kudos for that and for figuring out our lists and bullets!
Since you live/lived in LA, you probably know how competitive Entertainment jobs are. Also they are often networked rather than recruited through the job boards. If you were pursing it after MBA, you will likely have to take an unpaid internship in the summer, assuming you are able to get one or perhaps you already have a network and would be able to break in that way? If that's the case, I would not leave LA and stick around.
If you are looking to take CPG/Marketing after graduation, where would your future employer be located? It is not a very common track at most programs. Tech and consulting have been dominating and it is not common to seen CPG/Marketing track. There are a few options in LA for marketing positions with Mattel or Nestle or Disney but probably more in New York though both programs place about 10% into Marketing/Sales roles....
I know often MBA applicants have fairly vague goals that are open-minded and flexible which is good but it is a lot stronger and more valuable to identify the employers you are interested in. It makes networking and your conversations more powerful if you want to work for Disney for example or Fox or Universal Music or HBO or Netflix. It would be helpful to see where they are hiring and where you would be located.... if that's what's driving you. There are media jobs in both LA and NY however; diff vibes though and often slightly different focus since LA is production focused. So ultimately I would figure out where you would want to live long term (my next point may come handy) or perhaps you are already thinking/doing this. You can definitely take the Stern or UCLA name anywhere around the country but their spheres of influence are strongest in New York City and Anderson. Your location won't matter in 5 years - you can go anywhere you want but during the critical and vulnerable time at graduation, you want to have as much help you can get to get the best job/foot in the door.
About LA vs. NYC. I understand what you mean and sometimes we forget the negative and focus on the positive. I had a feeling like that after leaving LA. I went back 3 years later for a month and never looked back, though my situation is likely different with 2 kids, etc
I also feel it may not be the fair comparison since there is pandemic and your LA experience of the past 1 year may not be accurate. Have you been to NY since? Not sure where you are right now but I would spend some time back in New York ASAP to eliminate that concern on the back of your mind. It would not be a big issue, just spend 2-3 weeks in New York, get a hotel room or Airbnb and get a sense of it. It is probably $2-3K of extra money you were not planning to spend but very cheap for an answer that will decide the rest of your life.
Decision: If you were agnostic to the LA vs. NY and that was not part of the equation, it would be a toss up. I feel Stern would provide more job opportunities and on campus recruiting but Anderson has the scholarship and proximity to entertainment. It is hard to quantify the dollars but perhaps could see Anderson being a bit sweeter offer but just by a bit.
It is tricky with some of the decisions. I am very happy you did not include vibe of other people, fit into the program, how responsive the community is, into the mix. That stuff is surfacy and in 2 years when you are looking for a job it won't matter at all how good your fit was. I see a lot of people making the business school decision based on the FB group chatter. Kudos for that and for figuring out our lists and bullets!
Since you live/lived in LA, you probably know how competitive Entertainment jobs are. Also they are often networked rather than recruited through the job boards. If you were pursing it after MBA, you will likely have to take an unpaid internship in the summer, assuming you are able to get one or perhaps you already have a network and would be able to break in that way? If that's the case, I would not leave LA and stick around.
If you are looking to take CPG/Marketing after graduation, where would your future employer be located? It is not a very common track at most programs. Tech and consulting have been dominating and it is not common to seen CPG/Marketing track. There are a few options in LA for marketing positions with Mattel or Nestle or Disney but probably more in New York though both programs place about 10% into Marketing/Sales roles....
I know often MBA applicants have fairly vague goals that are open-minded and flexible which is good but it is a lot stronger and more valuable to identify the employers you are interested in. It makes networking and your conversations more powerful if you want to work for Disney for example or Fox or Universal Music or HBO or Netflix. It would be helpful to see where they are hiring and where you would be located.... if that's what's driving you. There are media jobs in both LA and NY however; diff vibes though and often slightly different focus since LA is production focused. So ultimately I would figure out where you would want to live long term (my next point may come handy) or perhaps you are already thinking/doing this. You can definitely take the Stern or UCLA name anywhere around the country but their spheres of influence are strongest in New York City and Anderson. Your location won't matter in 5 years - you can go anywhere you want but during the critical and vulnerable time at graduation, you want to have as much help you can get to get the best job/foot in the door.
About LA vs. NYC. I understand what you mean and sometimes we forget the negative and focus on the positive. I had a feeling like that after leaving LA. I went back 3 years later for a month and never looked back, though my situation is likely different with 2 kids, etc
I also feel it may not be the fair comparison since there is pandemic and your LA experience of the past 1 year may not be accurate. Have you been to NY since? Not sure where you are right now but I would spend some time back in New York ASAP to eliminate that concern on the back of your mind. It would not be a big issue, just spend 2-3 weeks in New York, get a hotel room or Airbnb and get a sense of it. It is probably $2-3K of extra money you were not planning to spend but very cheap for an answer that will decide the rest of your life. Decision: If you were agnostic to the LA vs. NY and that was not part of the equation, it would be a toss up. I feel Stern would provide more job opportunities and on campus recruiting but Anderson has the scholarship and proximity to entertainment. It is hard to quantify the dollars but perhaps could see Anderson being a bit sweeter offer but just by a bit.
anderstern
Current Student
Joined: 06 Jun 2020
Last visit: 16 Apr 2021
Posts: 2
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 1
Schools: Anderson '23 (A$) Stern '23 (A)
15 Apr 2021, 10:49
Kudos
Bookmarks
bb
Thank you so much for the detailed, thoughtful reply! I think my preference immediately after my MBA is for product marketing in tech or cross entertainment/tech (Netflix, Hulu)--mostly because the pay is better and for the purpose of gaining experience. I've heard it's easier to transition from tech marketing to entertainment marketing long term than vice versa.
The long-term living question is definitely one that I'm thinking about. I think I'll take your advice and take a trip to New York (I'm fully vaxxed!) to see how I feel. I admit that it took me a while to adjust to LA when I first moved because I needed to be more deliberate about making plans and driving around.
I was comparing recent employment reports and mean/median marketing salaries at Anderson were actually higher this year than NYU. Do you see this as a fluke or a possible continuing trend? Thanks again!
