Prestigious Part-time MBA or Middle Tier Full-time MBA?

Is it better to attend a prestigious part-time MBA (think Michigan, NYU, maybe even Northwestern) or mid-level full-time MBA (think Ohio State, Vanderbilt, Minnesota, Texas A&M)? E-MBA is not something I'm interested in. ~650 GMAT and my company is very willing to allow me to take last minute time off to attend events. Currently in FinTech, hoping to pair this experience with more financial gig.

 
 

Hey thomr - did you get any good intel on your question here? Im curious to hear what you think now. Im mostly in the same situation, leaning towards going to NYU PT for the brand name. Let me know!

 

Depends on your goals? Are you trying to pivot careers or stay at your current job? Are you looking to recruit for MBB? Because that will be difficult no matter wherever you go.

If you're trying to pivot to IB, then I would go full time at a mid level school. The competition for IB is pretty low now and you should be able to get interviews. I'm not saying you are going to show up and get BB interviews, I'm just saying that if you put in the work, then you're likely to get some interviews.

 
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Have you considered going overseas for your MBA (if the main reason you're getting it is to "check the box")? With a 650 Gmat you can probably get a decent scholarship at a bunch of overseas schools for MBA. No, they won't really help for recruiting into a prestigious US job, but neither will going to a random US school like Texas A&M, Ohio State, etc. And that way you'll at least have a cool story to tell and get to spend some time overseas, meeting new people, doing new things, etc.

 

It depends on your goals and timing. I suspect that a more prestigious part-time MBA will fit the bill. You will get the same degree as those going full-time and will have access to the career center and the alumni network. Depending on whether or not you live/work in the same city where you attend part-time, you can go to guest speakers and get involved in clubs.

Wishing you the best as you figure out next steps!

Susan Cera Director of MBA Admissions Stratus Admissions Counseling - www.stratusadmissions.com FREE Profile Evaluation - www.stratusadmissions.com/consult
 

Forget going full time for a mid-level full-time MBA (think Ohio State, Vanderbilt, Minnesota, Texas A&M), it's not worth dropping 2 years of salary and paying full price.

You can focus on a full time abroad, or a lower ranked T15 program. If not, I would suggest the part-time MBAs you listed (Michigan, NYU, maybe even Northwestern) as it will mean more for your entire career (though PT MBA makes a career change tough if you need to do so).

 

I recruited successfully from a PT program for M&A. It is certainly much harder as a PT student, but is doable, especially if you have prior finance experience and can tell a good story. That said, recruiting for summer associate positions has been much easier through Covid because many of the early/mid fall events were remote with only close list dinners etc. requiring in-person attendance. I was able to do coffee chats primarily in the evenings (expect 5-10 per bank) and would do the evening events remotely via zoom.

I chose PT over a T15 FT program and have some regrets on not getting the full experience, especially the social side of things, but for employment, I think any BB IB or boutique is achievable with the exception of GS/MS or some elite boutiques. Most bankers I spoke with seemed to be impressed I was able to balance work/school/job. I also had friends from my program recruit successfully for MBB internships. I think the PT/FT thing is overhyped on this forum. If you're a good candidate and do the leg work, you will be successful. That said, some bankers still asked for my GPA/GMAT, so I would say regardless that you should retake until you're at 700+ so that can't be held against you.

 

Agreed. Currently doing top PT program and it seems the people that say you can’t switch careers or get jobs like IB or management consulting from a part time are ones that have no direct knowledge of these programs. 
 

You can definitely get these jobs if you put in the effort. The career/recruiting staff want to help you get the best job possible and I have noticed no favoritism for full time students over part time in on campus recruiting. 

 

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