Hi all,

Do you think it's always the safest/wisest choice to go to the best school you can - no matter the scholarship?

i've been offered a good scholarship for a top 5 MBA program, a full ride for a top 15 program, a great scholarship (not full though) for a top 20 program - the last one would take place in a dream city, that's why I'm still considering it.

Should I just choose the best school and don't even consider the others?
Should I take the opportunity to get an MBA for free, from a very good school - but less prestigious?
Should I forget about rankings and just study in my dream city? (this option sounds a bit risky)

Thanks a lot in advance for your inputs.

[Edited by Molly on Jan 12, 2017]

The best school *for your career goal* will normally offer a substantial advantage that is much more valuable than the scholarship. Run the numbers. See the NPV.

[Edited by Duncan on Jan 12, 2017]

It really depends. If you're talking about a top-five school like Columbia, but want to live and work in Paris for the longterm, and have a full ride at HEC, that's a really difficult decision. But if it's like Harvard vs. NYU and you want to live/work in NYC, I think Harvard is for most people the best choice, even it in means foregoing an initial 2 years in NYC.

Thank you both for your replies.

@mba hipster

I think I am in both situations you described. I am talking about a 'real' top-five non-US school (offering a 'good' scholarship) and a very good US school (offering a huge scholarship). I'd like to spend a couple of years in the US, but I don't see myself staying there for the long-term. The US school is very well-known in the US, but not so much internationally, whereas the non-US school is very well ranked, but is not located in the US, which may make it difficult for me to work there, even for a few years...

@Duncan,

In their respective career reports, both schools mention almost the same outcome in terms of median salary and top recruiters in the sector and function I am interested in. I think that I'll have to make my choice based on either preference of location, or brand reputation.

It's a really hard decision.