Feb 5, 2012
Wake Forest MA in Management vs Duke Fuqua MMS
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Comments (32)
Duke if you can afford it
I looked at both programs, because I was interested in both to see which had better potential. It appeared to me that the Duke MMS, has a majority of its students employed by the end of the program and even has a program to help get internships before. Also, Duke and Fuqua have a name. However, if you can't afford, Wake Forest is still a wonderful program.
Thanks for the comments guys.
I wish I could say that I can afford it but it isn't likely. Considering the tougher competition at Duke, even a 15K scholarship would be impressive - this would still require borrowing somewhere in the realm of 40K. Most people will say that 40K is a trivial amount of money in the long-run (I've definitely been guilty of saying that to friends who have been in similar situations), but it's a lot harder to buy that argument when you're trying to sell it to yourself.
I guess I'm mostly just concerned that both programs will net the same results and then I'll be kicking myself for borrowing a truckload of unnecessary cash.
I would make sure you double check some of those stats when you look at class profile. The GMAT scores can vary if the Duke program is closer to 40% international students. It depends on who you'd like to be in the classroom with. I believe you can come back and finish your MBA at Wake too, which is a financial advantage in the long run.
Interesting debate. I'm looking into the Masters in Management/early business Masters programs, too.
I would wager that you'd be better off at Duke, insofar as quality of peers, but that the quality of the education itself would not be too different. That being said, I'm told more and more that B-school, whether undergraduate or graduate-level, is primarily about your peers. Duke's MMS folks boast a nearly 650 average GMAT, versus the slightly under 600 for Wake, which I see as a pretty substantial difference. Also, higher average GPA at Duke, and more women at Duke. BUT, not knowing the social scene at either school (except basing it on undergraduates, where Duke strikes me as the loser, oddly), I can't make a call on that side of it.
Looks like neither program offers much curricular flexibility, which I see as a problem, but, then again, it's intended to, say, fit undergraduate business school into a year of graduate work.
Best of luck!
"When I was young I thought that money was the most important thing in life; now that I am old I know that it is."
- Oscar Wilde
"Seriously, psychology is for those with two x chromosomes."
- RagnarDanneskjold
We know you have questions as you prepare to apply to your target business schools. What are your chances of being admitted? How can you differentiate yourself from so many other applicants? What is the best way to showcase your accomplishments or mitigate your weaknesses? Start getting answers to all your questions by taking advantage of a free 30-minute consultation with an expert from MBA Vantage Point team. Learn more.
With your goal of wanting to work in NC, I think you can accomplish that with Wake Forest. Duke would be optimal since you can do more outside the NC area with the Duke brand, but with your specific focus and desire to not get in debt, Wake Forest probably looks like the best solution.
Either way you still can get an MBA later on if you feel like you need another fresh shot.
duke
If you want to work at one of top MM boutiques in Charlotte (McColl, Edgeview, Black Arch), I suggest Duke's program over Wake Forest.
Thanks again for responses.
Those are certainly three firms that I am targeting and would love to work at any of the above. I have friends at Black Arch and Edgeview and my understanding is that Wake and schools similar to it (UNC-CH, Davidson College, for example) are pretty well-represented in analyst classes.
professionalmonkey, do you mind explaining a little bit further why you'd recommend Duke's program in this case? Thanks; feel free to PM me if you'd rather do that.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but it doesn't sound like you have any finance or IB experience. So, in your case, reputation will matter. I don't recall either Edgeview or Black Arch having WFU alum or even recruiting on campus there (not saying they don't respect or wouldn't hire WFU students). They do, however, have a ton of Duke alumni and recruit on campus. Also, you never know what is going to happen after you get this degree, and Fuqua's name goes a lot further than Babcock's(?).
We know you have questions as you prepare to apply to your target business schools. What are your chances of being admitted? How can you differentiate yourself from so many other applicants? What is the best way to showcase your accomplishments or mitigate your weaknesses? Start getting answers to all your questions by taking advantage of a free 30-minute consultation with an expert from MBA Vantage Point team. Learn more.
It is certainly true that Duke has a national reputation that is substantially better and stronger than that of Wake. However, I can't speak to Wake's rep on a local scale. It may very well be that Wake has a good regional reputation. If so, considering that you'll probably do an MBA at some point, you have a second opportunity to give yourself the imprimatur of a Duke-caliber institution.
"When I was young I thought that money was the most important thing in life; now that I am old I know that it is."
- Oscar Wilde
"Seriously, psychology is for those with two x chromosomes."
- RagnarDanneskjold
I don't want it to sound like prestige is all that matters, because it certainly does not. I just feel that without relevant experience, prestige will help you more.
Just clearing this out of the way, but a prestigious undergraduate institution will make no difference in this case?
I did Wake undergrad, if you have any questions about the school itself. Can't really comment on the management program though.
From undergrad- I have several friends that ended up at Wells and B of A in Charlotte. Citi, Goldman and a few MM places in NYC. There are a few boutiques that recruit heavily from Wake.
I know for a fact that Edgeview and BlackArch interviewed a handful of Wake MAs and undergrads during the Spring of 2010.
A prestigiuous undergraduate insitution will be very, very helpful in either of these programs since the one year master's business degree is still a new concept. In fact, several of the Ivy League kids in both these programs found jobs through their undergraduate network.
August, that was essentially my line of thinking. While I did not go to an Ivy, my school still has a substantial network of alumni all over the place that I could leverage to land something. I am doing the MA or MMS program not necessarily for OCR (it's a plus, however), but to get the finance knowledge and finance extracurricular activities. If my resume wasn't lacking in those departments, I would already be reaching out to a bunch of alumni from undergrad and probably wouldn't be in my current situation. As it stands, it's hard to cold call someone and say "I want to best position myself for your firm" when my resume is all tech/software.
That sounds like a good plan, PM me if you want any more specific info.
Wake MA Management is questionably top 50 program? undergrad there is much better there then their business or law schools. is this even a real question? duke duke duke.
Thanks again for all of your input guys.
I received a call from Duke yesterday and have been selected for a reasonably nice merit-based scholarship. This is certainly good news, and while Duke is still far more expensive, I'm thinking of biting the bullet and committing to go there.
Now, I understand that the MMS program at Duke also offer need-based aid, which I certainly qualify for (household income for parents is sub-$50K, I don't have any money to my name really, etc.). However, they don't release need-based awards until April, a point far beyond when I have to commit (this is somewhat odd).
If ANYONE out there has insight into the need-based aid for this program, I would be forever indebted to you if you could PM me to discuss it. This information would be instrumental in my decision, and being that I really want to go to Duke, would go a long way toward helping me make a decision that I am passionate about.
Thanks!
jsut a question, what can you do with an MMS really? Are there any good f500 companies recruiting for corp.dev/strategy there?
Everybody has a plan, until they get punched in the face.
Looks a lot like another shot at UG recruiting, perhaps at a school with a better OCR or more prestige?
"When I was young I thought that money was the most important thing in life; now that I am old I know that it is."
- Oscar Wilde
"Seriously, psychology is for those with two x chromosomes."
- RagnarDanneskjold
that's it? I thought there would be more access to associate level corp dev ops.
Everybody has a plan, until they get punched in the face.
Looks like at most 10% or so corp dev roles (https://www.fuquaworld.duke.edu/cmcfiles/DukeMMSFi...).
"When I was young I thought that money was the most important thing in life; now that I am old I know that it is."
- Oscar Wilde
"Seriously, psychology is for those with two x chromosomes."
- RagnarDanneskjold
pretty good statistics. it's nice that they posted the percentage of applicants receiving sponsorship too. being an international students, this sponsorship sh1t has been holding me back too much.
not many big names tho, and the starting pays are so undergrad like lol. definitely not associate level.
Everybody has a plan, until they get punched in the face.
That's the nature of the beast, I suppose.
"When I was young I thought that money was the most important thing in life; now that I am old I know that it is."
- Oscar Wilde
"Seriously, psychology is for those with two x chromosomes."
- RagnarDanneskjold
Hey I am in the same situation, I got scholarship from WF, and just found out I got into MMS, with no money. Even though for me money isn't the issue, but it would be nice saving money now as I eventually do what to get an MBA at Harvard or a top school. I really enjoyed visiting Wake Forest, and I didn't get to see those career resources at Duke, even though they don't have to. I am kind of shocked I got into MMS to be honest, but initiative and great essay helped me. What should I do? I want to do strategy or management consulting.
Masters in Management Duke vs Wake Forest (Originally Posted: 05/05/2015)
It seems that everyday I flip back and forth between the two programs. I plan on going back for a MBA within 5 years of finishing either program.
If attending Duke, I would be in their new Duke Kunshan Program located in Kunshan, China (near Shanghai) from October-May. My undergraduate major is Chinese, so China is nothing foreign to me. When returning for an MBA, I would have to stay for 2 years and just have more electives than the average MBA student.
At Wake Forest, I would be able to return within 5 years for a ONE year MBA program. I have a merit scholarship to Wake, and have found housing.
Both are obviously great schools and I know either way I will be successful in the long run.
My debates/concerns are:
-My S/O lives in Virginia and might be deployed upon my return from China
-I have a kitten, what would I do with him in China
-Is Duke the right "fit" for my personality
-Do I really want to risk 3 instead of 2 years to return for a MBA
-Money
-Is Wake Forest's degree as valuable in foreign countries
(1) MiM is a pre-work experience degree.... MBA is usually post-work experience.
(2) Among b-schools, Duke Fuqua is a lot better than Wake Forest. WF just dropped its Full-time MBA due to enrollment drops
I am applying to the Masters in Management in both. I realize that is pre-work and MBA is post work. After earning my Masters in Management, I plan on entering the workforce for several years, then returning for an MBA.
I don't understand
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