UCLA Anderson vs USC Marshall vs Cornell Johnson


Hey All,

I needed suggestions from you all. I have admits from three universities. While I am grateful, I am having a hard time deciding.

Profile

I have 4 years of experience and have been working as Software developer at a Big4 Firm. My post MBA goal is to work as Product Manager at a top Tech Firm or Digital Transformation Consultant at a top Consulting Firm.
I have offers from the following:

UCLA Anderson with 70,000 $ scholarship for 2 years
USC Marshall with 60,000 $ scholarship for 2 years
Cornell Johnson with 50,000$ scholarship for 2 years

I am really confused here. I know west coast is better for Tech but Cornell is an Ivey league and better univeristy overall. I have no geography preference for post MBA though. I dont want to decide solely on rankings as they are different everywhere. I have talked to alumni at all 3 and found all of them equally helpful and amazing! Can anyone please suggest any inputs they have?

Hey All,

I needed suggestions from you all. I have admits from three universities. While I am grateful, I am having a hard time deciding.

Profile

I have 4 years of experience and have been working as Software developer at a Big4 Firm. My post MBA goal is to work as Product Manager at a top Tech Firm or Digital Transformation Consultant at a top Consulting Firm.
I have offers from the following:

UCLA Anderson with 70,000 $ scholarship for 2 years
USC Marshall with 60,000 $ scholarship for 2 years
Cornell Johnson with 50,000$ scholarship for 2 years

I am really confused here. I know west coast is better for Tech but Cornell is an Ivey league and better univeristy overall. I have no geography preference for post MBA though. I dont want to decide solely on rankings as they are different everywhere. I have talked to alumni at all 3 and found all of them equally helpful and amazing! Can anyone please suggest any inputs they have?
quote
Duncan

In what world is Cornell better than UCLA as a university? 

In what world is Cornell better than UCLA as a university? 
quote

In what world is Cornell better than UCLA as a university? 
I said so because Cornell is Ivey league. Hence, might have better reputation in Europe and Asia in case I wish to move in future.

[quote]In what world is Cornell better than UCLA as a university?  [/quote] I said so because Cornell is Ivey league. Hence, might have better reputation in Europe and Asia in case I wish to move in future.
quote
Duncan

The Ivy League is a sports organisation. It doesn't include most of the top US universities.  See https://www.topuniversities.com/university-rankings/usa-rankings/2021 

[Edited by Duncan on Jan 09, 2022]

The Ivy League is a sports organisation. It doesn't include most of the top US universities.  See https://www.topuniversities.com/university-rankings/usa-rankings/2021 
quote

The Ivy League is a sports organisation. It doesn't include most of the top US universities.  See https://www.topuniversities.com/university-rankings/usa-rankings/2021 
After 4 years in US, I wish to move to Europe or back to India and my assumption was Cornell's reputation is better in these regions and will give me a better edge in terms of opportunities. On the other hand, UCLA is only famous in US and not outside. Secondly, the opportunities for consulting are fewer at UCLA. Is that not the case?

[quote]The Ivy League is a sports organisation. It doesn't include most of the top US universities.  See https://www.topuniversities.com/university-rankings/usa-rankings/2021  [/quote] After 4 years in US, I wish to move to Europe or back to India and my assumption was Cornell's reputation is better in these regions and will give me a better edge in terms of opportunities. On the other hand, UCLA is only famous in US and not outside. Secondly, the opportunities for consulting are fewer at UCLA. Is that not the case?
quote
Duncan

As business schools, I think UCLA and Cornell are rather close in reputation (e.g. FT 2020 has Cornell at 23rd and UCLA at 25th, but with alumni recommendations at 26th and 22nd) but clearly serve very different regional markets in the USA. Both schools place around 1 in 4 students into consulting, with UCLA placing more into tech and Cornell placing more into finance. 

As universities, UCLA is almost twice as large, but has a lower staff-student ratio, and a slightly higher ranking in most global rankings including the academic reputation ranking from THES. However, LinkedIn shows more Cornell than UCLA alumni in India, although part of that is the SPJIMR joint programme with Cornell, and the online eCornell courses. 

I don't think this is such a clear choice as you think. Look more closely at your target employers. 

As business schools, I think UCLA and Cornell are rather close in reputation (e.g. FT 2020 has Cornell at 23rd and UCLA at 25th, but with alumni recommendations at 26th and 22nd) but clearly serve very different regional markets in the USA. Both schools place around 1 in 4 students into consulting, with UCLA placing more into tech and Cornell placing more into finance.&nbsp;<br><br>As universities, UCLA is almost twice as large, but has a lower staff-student ratio, and a slightly higher ranking in most global rankings including the academic reputation ranking from THES. However, LinkedIn shows more Cornell than UCLA alumni in India, although part of that is the SPJIMR joint programme with Cornell, and the online eCornell courses.&nbsp;<br><br>I don't think this is such a clear choice as you think. Look more closely at your target employers.&nbsp;
quote

Reply to Post

Related Business Schools

Ithaca, New York 89 Followers 136 Discussions
Los Angeles, California 90 Followers 147 Discussions

Other Related Content

Jan 11, 2024

LinkedIn Launches MBA Rankings of US Business Schools

News Jan 11, 2024