Thanks everyone for their perspectives..It helps me think through..
I have a few followup questions.
Why do a lot of you believe there is insignificant difference between the Kellogg brand name and the Haas brand name ? Any data points around that or is it a subjective comment ? Because 3 other people I talked to (MBAs from Kellogg, Wharton and Chicago GSB) believe the Kellogg brand "travels" much better and the Haas brand is very strong only in the west coast...
The other question is something we as bschool applicants don't really know yet but we might have talked to alumni who have a better perspective..
While its difficult to quantify, how useful and valuable is the alumni network in one's career and in what stages is it useful. Does it continue to be useful long after we pass out ? I want to know because the Kellogg alumni network is a lot bigger than the Haas network but does it really matter in one's career ?
One reason why Kellog travels is because of the efforts of the school to make itslef known worldwide - through its collaborations, because of the age of the school that has allowed its alumni to reach heights and their efforts to promote the school, faculty, relationship with industry, etc. Kellog, I my opinion is very strong brand name in the SE Asia as well compared to Hass.
Its definitely useful to have access to a alumni network. It depends also on what career path you want to pursue - some sales careers are very network demanding eg business developement, Private wealth management . If you want to start something of your own, again the school's relation with the industry, its felxibility in allowing you back to school, helping you with tools, access to alumni etc will could be a major factor in your developement. Having said, this, there's also a personal aspect to it. You have to leverage whatever you can , that ability of being creative, gregarious etc is entirely up to you.
Then again, Hass will not let you down. If you need to be in the Valley, join a startup , stick there for 3 years and probably you could be on the cover of forbes or business week if your startup does a 'google thing'. In short, the choice of your career, and your personal long term goals would be very useful in helping you decide what you exactly want. Each school has its great and not so great things. If you want to just have a career for 10 years and then go teach, and invest your own money in the markets, you'd be good at haas or at kellog.
