menos74 wrote:
Extremely fortunate to be accepted into two great and very similar (but also different) programs and I am looking for some opinions on which choice to go with.
Currently: Consulting, Healthcare Tech
Short Term Career: Pivot to Education, looking to either stay in Consulting or work in Tech/Analytics (e.g., Product Management, ~Data Scientist)
Long Term Career: Ideally a big name non profit that focuses on Education (e.g., Chan Zuckerberg Initiative) but would also be happy to work for an academic institution or continue in consulting
Long Term Location: Ideally NYC, DC, Chicago; not really considering West Coast but acknowledging that CZI is near SF
My thoughts so far:
- Career:
- Both schools are great for consulting and tech - Berkeley probably has a small edge up but seems negligible to me
- Berkeley has great focus area on Social Sector
- I'm not an "MBB or bust" - I'll aim for them but would rather focus more on education-focused consultancies such as Tyton Partners , EY-Parthenon, and Alvarez & Marsal
- Debt:
- In this economy, is it dangerous to be $200k+ in debt by choosing Haas? Some would argue that Berkeley Haas name is worth it
- Culture/Life-Style:
- Not really considering this aspect since I can fit in almost anywhere but if you think there is a huge difference in this area, please point it out.
Any thoughts and advices will be helpful and appreciated.
menos74 congratulations on the stellar admits. While I agree with BB on most things, I would urge you to consider a slightly more nuanced perspective.
Some MBA candidates place tremendous value on the opportunity cost of the programs, attributing significant importance to the scholarships they receive. Others view the MBA brand as a long-term investment, assessing how the brand will gradually yield returns for their mid to long-term plans. Which perspective resonates with you? What is the value of $100K- $200K for you over the long term?
Regarding your goals, choosing Berkeley Haas could potentially accelerate your short to long-term timeline significantly due to its advantageous location, esteemed brand pedigree, and network leverage. On the other hand, opting for Tepper still provides access to top-tier tech and analyst roles or consulting, but for goals in non profit breaking into the elite philanthropy circles may require more time. This is something you should carefully evaluate for yourself. Keep a practical understanding of how the non profits you target are funded (wealthy donors) and where are they located. Build your network smartly.
Get personalized advice tailored to your specific situation. Reach out to us if you need help navigating your unique circumstances in the B School admissions process. We do not cap discussion hours.Best wishes
Aanchal Sahni (INSEAD alum, former INSEAD admissions interviewer)Founder, MBAGuideConsulting
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https://mbaguideconsulting.com/ | Message(WA): +91 9971200927| email-
mbaguideconsulting@gmail.com
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Updated on: 28 Mar 2024, 20:52
