Research MBA Programs

Hi Cms031,

As Jim mentioned, Duke is a great option. I would also advise you to consider Columbia (they have a great program and their proximity to Fortune 100 companies is fantastic) and Michigan Ross.

Hope that helps!

Hi SickofIT,

Let me begin by saying Tuck is a great program. I will present both the pros and cons of this program as it relates to Marketing below but the tl;dr version is: while a strong program with an equally strong network, Tuck may not be the best option to facilitate the switch.

Pros: Tuck has a strong program supported by passionate alumni. Their location fosters smaller class sizes and more full time professors. They also offer a full second year in which to take electives. They don't offer official majors per se but this is a good way to specialize and focus. The interaction between students and the access to professors is higher than most other schools. This is due not only to the location, but because Tuck focuses on building the ideal incoming class for their program. Overall you will have to flexibility to focus where you want and work closely with students and professors to round out your education and experiences. Also, the strength of the network means job placement possibilities outside the normal channels (their placement into Marketing is competitive with other schools we have listed).

Cons: Tuck is focused on turning out "general management" students. This is one of their main focuses and a key strength. As mentioned above, the strong network will help in finding specific job opportunities but it will require a lot more work off the beaten path. Additionally, from a name recognition stand point, Tuck is not "known" for marketing. They rank in the 10-20 range rather consistently in that arena. It is something to consider. When P&G or Target think to themselves, "we need some great MBAs for marketing" Tuck may or may not make the list.

I hope this helps - if you have any questions, please do let me know.

Bhavik

Hi there,

As for Marketing, I think the top programs (I'm not listing them in order because once you get into a list of the top programs, other factors come into play that help you prioritize which option[s] are right for you) are: Kellogg (obviously), Standford, Duke, Columbia, Ross, Berkeley, and Stern. There are some other highly ranked programs I have not included in the list above but do have great marketing programs (e.g. Wharton, Harvard, Booth). If you're focused on Marketing, however, then those listed are really the best options from a faculty, recruitment, etc. standpoint.

In regards to General Management, yes, a solid foundation if you haven't got one is critical. It's what will truly enable your switch out of IT and I would focus on programs that would facilitate that. For example, Booth only has 1 required course and while they provide some structure around what you're required to take, it probably isn't the best option. Tuck is just one of the schools with a fixed core (some are a semester, some a full year). If your goal is holistic general management, then you would want to cast your net wider than just Tuck and look to a variety of other criteria that are important to you.

I understand about your GPA and believe me, admissions committees are aware of this and do understand. If they don't know about your school specifically, then you can explain it to them. I, for one, came from an undergraduate institution notorious for lower GPAs. You are correct, a great GMAT score will definitely offset this. Also, the story of your work experience will help communicate your quantitative and qualitative skills. So your GPA will never be a differentiator, but it can definitely be positioned and supported such that it doesn't actively detract from your application.

GMAT: it's a good thing you're thinking so far ahead about this. You're right - crush it. Aim for 700+ and look to have a balanced score. If you can't, use the Qual section to carry your score but understand a lower Quant score will have impacts and will also need to be explained. Also, I'm not sure of your ethnicity but if you're an Asian male, that number goes to 720+ preferably. But your first priority should be north of 700, however you can get there.

The other thing is, given your timeline, if you're 15 months from applying, take your extracurriculars from decent to great! Make them unique, make them impactful. Find meaningful involvement opportunities that will support your story and help you stand out. It will also give you extra material for your essays. This can be a true differentiator.

You are definitely not doomed by your GPA - there are many ways around it but that process to determine your story starts now.

If you'd like, we can always discuss it (you can either send me a private message or sign up for a free consultation below). Knowing your story in advance will help you make a tactical plan and provide the guidelines to operate within.

Hi basso25@,

Stanford is definitely on the list above! Part of the problem is that I had a typo in its name so that probably didn't help . Stanford is a great program and definitely a fantastic option.

When it comes down to Columbia and Stern, I would recommend Columbia and here's why. Firstly, let's negate the location advantage as they both enjoy that. Secondly, let's ignore Finance as they both do that very well too. Once you remove these often over-emphasized advantages, it comes down to what the school is known for next. Stern focuses on providing a general management education. On the other hand, Columbia offers, and somewhat stresses, alignment. The dean has been advocating certain concentrations and the construction of the curriculum allows for slightly more flexibility. Columbia is the "go to" school when it comes to retail in New York and that partly stems from their stronger marketing program. Additionally, I would suggest you review the profiles of the marketing departments of the two schools. Personally I feel the roster is stronger at Columbia as well.

Is that helpful? If you have more questions, let me know.

Bhavik

Hey, that's a great question. Let me go into a little more detail through bifurcation. Schools can have highly ranked programs in any specific category (e.g. #1 and #2) yet provide vastly different focuses within the specification itself. Part of this comes down to how those rankings are arrived at so what it is best to do is look at the school and other programs to determine what type of offerings they may have.

If you look at Kellogg or Columbia, they are great marketing programs with tactical, real world focus. They have great professors who have been there and done that or know people who do very closely. On the other hand, you have Stanford and the likes. Also an incredibly strong program but with a slightly different focus. If you look at Stanford as a whole, and then the GSB, you'll see a slant towards thought leadership. In Marketing specifically, Stanford has some of the leading faculty in terms of behavioral science, decision making, quantitative marketing, etc. So Stanford gives you a very different view into marketing and you can attack it from different angles.

It would be unfair to say one approach gives you better results or higher chances of snagging your dream job. It simply isn't the case. They are both great ways to learn - just not for everyone. It comes down to how you want to learn whatever it is you are interested in.

As for Stern and Columbia, research will definitely be a great next step. For those two programs specifically, don't underestimate the importance of school visits. We find that is a great decision making point for people considering the two.

I hope that helps!

Bhavik