Broad vs Olin vs SMU COX

Question

Hello GMAT club community,
I have been accepted to the following schools.
1. Eli Broad-100K scholarship,8k tuition fees.
2. Olin- 80K scholarship, 50k tuition fees.
3. SMU COX- 92k scholarship, 24k tuition fees.

I am currently working as a systems engineer at Indian space sector.
I want to get into operations or operations consulting roles post MBA.

Broad: Broad is known for its great supply chain program. I provides great networking opportunities to students within operations industry. But, the employment stats are not very transparent. Even though 93% of international students accepted full time offers,only 43% of them reported the base salary. This aspect concerns me.

Olin: Great campus and Washington University is a very well known brand. The business program also offers international immersion program, where i can visit Europe and South Asia. I feel i will get a better MBA experience here.

SMU COX: Located in Dallas. I can save living expenses as i can stay with my brother. The overall MBA program is decent. I see that Its more finance focussed than consulting or ops.

Please help me choose among the 3 schools. Any new inputs/insights that can help me choose the school are also welcomed.

Posted from my mobile device

bb · Answer

Congrats on your admits.

I think your concerns are valid about people not reporting their salaries. Potentially indicating they were not very competitive but you have to give credit to the school for publishing that statistics despite it being suspicious.

Would you brother in Texas be able to help Aejaz work and find a job? Is he established enough or is he also student? Having a family and support network nearby is super helpful. I would not ignore or discard that, especially if your brother can introduce you to other people that you can net work with and potentially get a lead for a job….

In terms of choice and programs, I think I would agree with you with most of your assessments except the Europe and Asia thing. That is totally fun but completely useless to your main task which is finding a job. I know you want to learn and I know you want to become more competitive applicant and you want to experience a lot of things And I think that’s valid but those are not helpful for finding a job. No employer would get excited about you spending a month in Asia or a semester in Europe. It’s cool and fun and cost money but not helpful in employment. I did a semester abroad and I did an exchange program, most MBA programs have bunch of partner schools. I would be surprised if Cox and Brad did not have them. However, The timing of the exchange can be challenging and can interfere with your recruiting. It interfered with mine 😬

Posted from my mobile device

akhil3101 · Answer

bb, thanks for your brisk response.
My brother stays in Mckinney, Dallas. He works in T mobile. He has a family and his wife also works. But, i’m doubtful if they can help me in my networking and job search, given that they are in completely tech/software roles.

Yes, even SMU COX offers international immersion program. But, the expenses that have to be beared by the students are not clear. However, Olin’s Global immersion covers all expenses except dinner and visa expenses.

Coming to avg base salary:
Broad- 120k (43% international students reported numbers)
Olin - 120k ( all international students who accepted offers reported)
SMU COX- 123k ( all international students who accepted offers reported)

Ranking wise.
Olin>Broad>Cox
Avg Salary and employment rate.
All 3 similar ( but less students reported in broad)
My expenses
Olin>Broad~COX

I’m in a dilemma now.

Posted from my mobile device

arcarc07 · Answer

Hi, I am in a similar situation. I Got admits from SMU with $92k in scholarships and McDonough with no scholarship.

Currently, I work as Data Science Engineer in a telecom company based in India. Post MBA I intend to transition to tech consulting/consulting.
I seem to be switching between the two. SMU isn't appearing in FT100 for the past two years don't know why. but salary reports of SMU seem to be on par with any decent business school.

Would love to talk to you more on this!

bb · Answer

Hi. I am not saying your brother would hire you or refer you to Tmobile but he likely has friends, colleagues, etc who he can check with for a job and help with a referral perhaps. It is easier to engage with him/his network when you are closer but you can also get away doing it remotely or via linkedin, etc.

For the international program, you will have to check with the office but usually it does not cost extra if you are on a scholarship... usually...

About average salaries, I don't think that really matters esp since they all look the same but they all have different stories behind them... I think the 43% reporting number is concerning and reflective of the challenges faced by international applicants recruiting and struggling to crack the job market, interview, and other elements of recruiting. Your skill and MBA only get you so far - you have to do a really good job at interviewing and presenting yourself to get the job.

I don't see much of difference so you can pick any program you want. It will be a struggle to recruit anywhere and a struggle you will have to shoulder. Start prepping for interviews now!
-BB

bb · Answer

Thanks. I have replied to your topic here: https://gmatclub.com/forum/poll-georget ... 10400.html -BB

Broad vs Olin vs SMU COX

Which one to choose?

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