So I am thinking of going back to school to get my MBA. I want to work in Chicago when I graduate and I would like to go to school in Chicago, as well. I know Kellogg and Booth have the best reputations in Chicago, but I am not sure if I can get into either of these schools. I'm going to apply to both of them as "dream schools", but they're far from a sure thing. The 2 schools I'm looking at primarily are DePaul (Kellstadt) and UIC (Liautaud). Can anyone tell me what kind of reputation the DePaul and UIC MBA programs have in Chicago?
After graduation, I would like to secure a job as an IB associate or an analyst at a hedge fund/mutual fund. Does anyone know what firms recruits at DePaul and UIC?
Any info you can give is greatly appreciated.
I know you said you'd also like to go to school in Chicago, but if you don't get into Booth or Kellogg, your 2nd tier choices (for ending up in Chicago) shouldn't be DePaul and UIC.
They should be: Ross, Kelley, Mendoza, and then UIUC.
DePaul's MBA program has a very good reputation within the Chicago business community. The problem is, people outside of Chicago don't know it very well at all. So if you want to stay in Chi-town, DePaul is a great option.
^ That is true, but one of the positions he wants post-MBA is IB Associate. That being the case, he should really open up his options to Ross, Kelley, Mendoza, and UIUC first.
Ross is a self-explanatory choice over DePaul and UIC. Kelley's MBA program has an IB academy, similar to their undergrad workshop. Notre Dame and UIUC have a large presence in Chicago IB (larger than DePaul, in the IB community). Hell, you could probably add Wisconsin to be a priority over DePaul, with their IB Center.
I wouldn't get an MBA from Wisconsin or Illinois- they aren't very good programs and have poor IB placement. To be honest, the same holds true for IU and Notre Dame.
If you want post-MBA IB in Chicago, you need Michigan, Northwestern or U Chicago.
You completely missed my point. They were recommendations OVER DePaul. You might have an argument about Wisco and Illi, but I'm going to have to disagree with you about IU and ND. Through the IB Academy at Kelley, you have a very good shot at BB/lower BB Chicago offices. From ND, you have a good shot at the boutiques and MMs with ND alumni (and there are many). This is based on actual observation and experience, I'm not pulling this out of my ass.
That being said, of course Ross, Booth, and Kellogg are the best options (my goal is to go to Kellogg for PE). OP, you should really look into Ross, since you didn't mention it.
Are you planning on FT or PT? I'm in Chicago (L2 candidate but not looking at an MBA) and I'm pretty sure getting into Kellogg and Both PT is much easier than FT. They have been hurting somewhat for PT admissions lately. That is what I have heard from some people here, fwiw. If you ask the admissions at both they will flat out deny this obviously. Good luck.
Thanks for all the responses, very helpful.
Chitownanalyst - I'm planning on going FT.
tan86 - from your profile it looks like you went to DePaul. Can you give me a little info about the on-campus recruiting? What companies recruit there, where students get jobs, etc?
I went to DePaul for my BS, so I am not as familar with post MBA recruiting. But for undergrad the recruiting is very strong, but more so from the big 4 accounting firms (lots of people at Deloitte and PWC) rather than the big banks. That being said, the big banks have a presence on campus, but not for IB roles, rather PWM/PB/AM (JPM, MS, GS).
I got my finance MBA from UIC this year and I had a good experience. I landed the job I wanted (in prop trading) within 2 months of graduation. UIC and DePaul both place students at banks, consulting firms, and accounting firms (not sure about IB). I chose UIC because I didn't want to pay 50% more just to have class in newer buildings, but that's a personal preference. Send me a message if you have any specific questions.
chicagotrader - thanks for the response. I'm sending you a PM with some questions.
ThaVanBurenBoyz - aside from IB Associate positions, would I have a chance at hedge fund/mutual fund analyst positions coming from DePaul or UIC (Assuming I pass level 2 cfa by the time I graduate from grad school)?
Do hedge funds/mutual funds even recruit at MBA programs? If you haven't worked in IB, S&T, or ER, do you even have a chance at these positions out of grad school?
Really appreciate any help.
I can only comment toward your IB aspirations. You should seek others' advice for HFs and MFs. I have to ask, IB and HF/MF are very different worlds, so which are you leaning toward? You should commit to one aim before you start making decisions about schools.
I'm definitely leaning towards HF/MF, but there are things about IB that are appealing to me as well. I made my original question open ended to get responses from both sides of the fence.
Thanks for the advice.
Livingthedream86, I know this thread is old but I wanted to see what route you ended up taking? I'm currently profiling DePaul.
B-Schools in Chicago (Originally Posted: 05/21/2008)
I'm looking to attend B-School in the fall at a Chicago school. Now I know that Northwestern and U of Chicago are the best around, but I'm worried that my undergrad GPA of 2.5 and limited work experience (2 years as financial analyst for goverment agency) will not be enough to get in to either of these schools. The only selling point I have is that I got a 710 on the GMAT.
Which other schools around Chicago would make for good targets? Right now, I think Depaul tops my list. Does anyone have any experience there? My long-term goal is to get into the asset management industry somehow. Anyone have any recommendations in formulating a plan to accomplish this? Thanks!
Look at both Loyola and UIC as well.
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