Attending the same undergrad and MBA university

So I wanted to ask this and get some opinions. I'm talking about the top schools, for example Harvard, Stanford, Wharton, MIT, Columbia, Chicago...

I've often read on these message boards that the MBA's biggest use is gaining a new network.

So if you went to stanford, would you think twice about going back to stanford for your mba similarly, If you went to Wharton, would you perhaps not go back for your mba

So the question is, if you got your Undergraduate degree from columbia, would you rather go to perhaps a lesser ranked MBA program to gain a new network? You already have the columbia brand name, so would you rather attend another school to expand your "brand".

Thanks for the replies guys, I've heard mixed opinions about this topic from many sources.

5 Comments
 

im still an undergrad, so obviously take this with a grain of salt, but from people I've talked to, brands and networks differ significantly between business schools and undergrad programs. you have different professors, different classmates, and likely some variation in corporate recruiters and relationships with them. i think a lot of business schools have their own particular brands that are distinct enough from the undergrad brands to offer significant value. i think the decision still comes down to the best brands and best employment opps regardless of undergrad. just my 2 cents.

 

Very different student bodies as well as different faculty, Harvard is probably an outlier in terms of the student body as HBS loves it's own. If you liked your undergrad experience and liked the campus go back. Def don't settle for a lesser brand - your bschool greatly determines your employment oppties

 

I've thought about this question a lot... I went to an Ivy UG out east and while I was in UG I often wondered if I'd consider coming back for grad school at the same institution. I don't think I would... primarily because I personally would rather not spend another 2-3 years in the same geographic location... I'd like to be in a different city and have a totally new experience--- one day I'll have a family/kids and be tied down to one place, but not yet... But it could just be personal preference... I like living different places- was born/raised in Chicago, went to school out east, then moved to London/Paris for first job, now live in Beijing/Shanghai...

 

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