How are MBA Programs Outside the Top 14 Viewed?
How are MBA programs outside the top 14 but still in the top 25 viewed? Ex. UT-McCombs, UCLA Anderson, Georgetown McDonough etc.
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IllumiNation is right on. Where you're headed means a lot. If you want to go into international development or work for an organization like the World Bank, Georgetown could be excellent -- really top tier. Same with UT and the energy industry or UCLA and Entertainment and Media. Geography is also relevant even outside of these industries for these programs.
Where you're coming from counts too. What kind of salary are you currently making (and I don't expect you to post that) and what would you likely make in your desired industry and location attending the school you name? Are you likely to see ROI?
Finally, what schools are likely to accept you?. If M7 isn't likely to accept you, do you want to take the steps necessary to make yourself competitive at those programs? If not they aren't an option and you're really back to "Do I want to attend these programs that are excellent in certain regions and industries."
You might be interested in our free guide, Best MBA Programs: A Guide to Selecting the Right One. .
I get concerned when I see job hunters with one masters degree looking to add another, especially when the interest in the MBA seems to come primarily because the job search isn't going ideally (I'm not certain this is your reason, but you seem to imply it a bit).
You are clear on your topical interests, but do you have a clear idea of an actual job/role that you'd want, and on how an MBA will get you there?
Also, we've had a strong job market for several years running now. That makes me wonder if you might be envisioning a job that doesn't exist at your current level. If it doesn't exist for you now, it won't exist for you after an MBA. MBA programs enhance candidates' chances to get jobs that they were qualified for without an MBA. The program takes a door that's slightly open and opens it further; it does not open entire new doors that were previously shut.
Despite graduating from an MBA business schools">M7 and getting a good job out of the program, I remain quite lukewarm on the MBA. My biggest criticism is that people very frequently get jobs that they would've gotten without the MBA, and the MBA program takes credit for the job which creates a false impression of the power of the degree.
In your particular case, I'm especially concerned about this because you seem to be going after a unique and specialized role that you may not even know exists, and MBA programs are unlikely to help you find. If you want to be a banker or consultant, then these programs might maybe add some value for you. If you want to do something more unique then I strongly recommend you talk to a career services person at any business school and they will show you just how bad MBA programs are at helping people carve out special paths. The programs want to put round pegs into round holes, and their staff is only equipped to do that.
I am personally familiar with both the Texas and DC markets. It's true that if you definitely want to be an energy sector guy in Houston, UT can help you there. Like I said, b-schools love to put round pegs into round holes and that's UT's bread and butter. But if you have more creative ideas about your career path, don't expect the school to help you think through that.
Georgetown could be your cup of tea if you have a specific role in mind where the business training (finance, operations, strategy, marketing) is central to that job. Be very careful with that. Yes there are lots of "international business" employers in DC. But international business is a vague concept and you need to make sure the actual jobs are either MBA required or something close to that (maybe no job is strictly MBA required but you know what I mean . . MBA strongly preferred). Don't let Georgetown talk you into getting an MBA so you can then get a job where your MBA was only the icing on the cake; you'd be better off staying unemployed and networking your way into that role without the two years of debt buildup.
Sorry for length of post but I think it's important for people to understand this. B-school is not a magic blackbox that takes in curious people and spits out employed people. It mostly takes people who were 90% there and polishes them off. Good luck and be careful.