Hi, I am fortunate to have received admissions from both the Wharton and Booth EMBA programs. Since I am based in the US, I will be deciding between the SF Wharton EMBA program and the Booth Chicago EMBA program.
Wharton:
Pros: The program has strong brand recognition, offers a bi-weekly residential program that fosters bonding among students, and provides opportunities for international travel through global courses and a required global week. Most students in the Wharton program are in their mid-30s, which may facilitate bonding. The program offers the same curriculum and learning experience as full-time students, which will push me to develop both hard and soft skills. Additionally, there is an opportunity to transfer to the Philadelphia (U of Penn) campus in the second year to take classes with both cohorts and expand my network.
Cons: I didn't feel a strong connection with the students during my interactions. I am concerned that I may not be able to form lifelong friendships, which are important for building a professional network. I am unsure about the experience of reaching out to Wharton alumni as an EMBA student.
Booth:
Pros: Booth also has a strong brand, although it may not be as widely recognized as Wharton. The program offers a once-a-month option, which is beneficial considering my personal and professional commitments. I found the students to be friendly and had positive interactions with them. I also noticed a slightly higher number of senior executives in the program compared to Wharton's. However, I don't have specific data to support this observation.
Cons: The Booth program is not a residential program, except for 5-6 weeks, so I would need to arrange my own accommodation for the majority of the program (around 17-20 weeks). I am unsure if it is worth leaving the Wharton brand for this reason.
My goals: I am currently a Manager at KPMG and I am looking for a program that can help me develop both hard and soft skills, and enable me to advance in consulting or transition into finance/tech. Long term, looking to leverage the learning, brand and alumni network to grow my career and become a Senior Director/VP/Executive... at a tech firm.
These are just some initial thoughts regarding the pros and cons of each program. I would love to hear more about your experiences and thoughts to help me make a decision.