Who Has Geographic Limitations?

Question

I'm surprised how most people on this forum seem flexible with regard to where they end up going to b-school. I'm wondering if most people are single and unattached and have no family commitments, or if they're just willing to put school first and move wherever they have to?

My girlfriend is tied to being here, so I'm just looking at schools in the Northeast. Even though I'd love to apply to LBS and some California schools and Chicago and Kellogg I don't really view those as options. 

Fortunately there are plenty of good schools in the Northeast, but still, my options are somewhat limited.

Anybody else in a similar situation?

aaudetat · Answer

Sorry man. Have GMAT, will travel.

My only geographic limitation is partner-related. Assuming I have more than one admit, I will construct some kind of matrix that gives each school a grade for financial commitment, opportunities for partner, and best fit/location. But otherwise, I looked all over the place. In fact, we're both sort of keen on the idea of living somewhere new, though that may not happen, which is also ok.

johnnyx9 · Answer

That's cool, sounds like your partner is flexible. Unfortunately mine isn't but there's no way I'm doing a long-distance relationship, done that before, it's a real b*tch.

willget800 · Answer

My wife is very flexible.. ready to move to anyplace in the world for my MBA.. i am lucky

eazyb81 · Answer

My fiancee will be traveling with me, so I am confined to schools located in medium to large metro areas. I really, REALLY wanted to apply to Cornell, but Ithaca just wasn't going to happen for her. 

It does make it harder when choosing schools to apply to, but I think it's only fair since she is going to give up a great job to come with me on this journey.

jaynayak · Answer

Unfortunately I have to go through the long distance thing.

My girlfriend just got into the corporate world hence moving with me would adversly affect her career.

rhyme · Answer

I had the same issue. I had to stay in big cities. If you look at the list of the top 15, that doesn't leave much. So much of what is in the top 15 is in small cities, and what's worse, if you look at admit %'s, the toughest schools to get into are also the schools in big cities - making it a double whammy. I'm really fortunate that we were able to stay in Chicago.

biggamejames · Answer

You've got a great fiancee. That's cool.

lepium · Answer

I will be travelling alone. And if I weren't alone, she would not be able to work anyway (no green card). So basically, I'll just go where I'm admitted (if I'm admitted).

Cheers. L.

lhotseface · Answer

I was restricted to places with good Hi-tech companies in the vicinity where my wife can find a new job relatively easily.

braindancer · Answer

Wee. Looks like I'm the only ugly retarded monkey who is not tied to anyone at all. Call it Arctica or Tanzania - absolutely no problem, as long as there is a Stanford at the place.

eazyb81 · Answer

Thanks. What sucks even more is that she just received another promotion and is now on the fast-track to becoming a buyer (she works for a major jewelry company). But she's excited to go with me and and move to a new city, even if it means she might have to put her career on hold for a year or two. Hopefully it will work out in the end for both of us.

alienwannabe · Answer

Yeah, I'm sort of tied down. I'm not tied down to where I'm living, but my partner and I are applying for grad school at the same time. Me for business, her for grad. That does make it more complicated for both of us, but hopefully everything will fall into place...

died4me · Answer

Is Durham a place since it has the triangle technology area or something like that?

Xeo78 · Answer

Same situation here. Wife is an attorney, only barred in certain states..

GMATT73 · Answer

Given both personal and professional ties to Asia, I am pretty much limited to the west coast. The caveat is, outside of Stanford, Haas, and Anderson, the rankings drop pretty fast.

EconGirl · Answer

I am pretty much in the same boat. If I were single, California schools would have been on the top of my list but I did not even bother applying. Although I will most likely have to do the long distance thing while at school, at least that distance will be drivable

lhotseface · Answer

Yes. There are a lot of Hi-tech companies in the Research Triangle Park.

lhotseface · Answer

Is UWash your XYZ school ?

kidderek · Answer

It's a whole another story for minorities.

Minorities are better off at big cities where values are more progressive.

Who Has Geographic Limitations?

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