First of all, if your aim is get a scholarship, you should still be aiming to top 25-50 schools. If your profile is good, and have a 700+ (preferably 750) gmat score, you should be able to secure some sort of aid (ranging from 20% to 75%). Of course, these entrance scholarships are competitive, but I feel that one is better off aiming for a higher ranked school with a more 'established' brand name than a new school. There are many examples of students who have been able to secure some sort of entrance scholarship throughout this forum (you might need to do some extensive reading).
Secondly, I would disagree with the fact that 'brand name fades in value after 5 years'. I can understand why people say this, because many folks feel that MBA is the ticket to their first 'dream' job. And even though it is true that if you perform exceedingly well in your post-mba job, you can move through the ranks.
However, MBA is not a short term investment. I would like to think that we aim for 'brand' name MBA not just to say that I am a graduate from "XXX". It is more for the alumni connection, and exposure in different areas and regions. Hence, this is another reason as to why you need to know why you want to do a MBA.
I don't want to come across as being shallow saying that student from top 10 school is better than a student from a top 50 school. But it is just that top 10 opens up many more doors initially which actually plays a key role in our career path. Ultimately, it is the student's drive and he/she will be successful irrespective of the school he/she attends.
RJZ
Disclosure: I am a prospective Fall 2009 applicant myself and still finalizing my list of schools.
Quote:
Originally Posted by gaur6534  Hi RedJazzGuy,
Thanks for the informative post. You are absolutely right about the program at SDSU. The brand value will only emerge only after a few years. Getting into a brand new program is a bit risky.
However my thinking was that if I can get a decent scholarship at this school and then I would be able to save financially. No Indian bank will provide such a hefty loan and even taking such a loan from any bank would be a gamble.
This brings me to my second question. How much value does brand have, from reading the forums and other posts across the net i understand that the brand fades away after 5 years. So is it worth taking a hefty loan for a top 50 schools (not the top 15 because the answer to that is pretty obvious .. yes). What is the main difference between the education that in imparted at the top schools VS average schools?
Any thoughts on this?
Best,
Gaurav. |
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