Hello all,

I am interested in doing an MBA program from a US business school that is strong in marketing. I started looking at this list:

http://www.find-mba.com/specializations/21/marketing

And have narrowed it down to the following schools:

Wisconsin: Relatively inexpensive, but I don't like the location (I am adverse to cold)

Washington Foster: A reach for me in terms of work experience, but good location and is ranked in the FT. Also, it doesn't have a marketing specialization.

Rutgers: This is my safety school. Seems like the marketing concentration is well regarded.

About me: 690 GMAT, 5 years of work experience in various sales and administration roles. Don't have a preference for industry.

Thoughts on my profile and my school selections?

I don't think any of these are bad choices. You have them in the right order on a specialisation-blind level, but for marketing Wisconsin has a global reputation for both brand management and for research-driven marketing.I would put that first.

Thanks for that, I'll look more closely at Wisconsin.

Relatedly, what do you think of my chances if I wanted to apply to Wharton? Do I stand any chance at all considering my low GMAT score? I've read it's good for marketing.

What does the rest of your profile look like? Usually, if you have a lower GMAT score than the average, admissions people will look at other aspects of your profile to be stronger. You're in the ballpark for quantity of work experience, but if you have some sort of management or project-leading experience, this would be helpful.

But moreover, it takes more than just a good GMAT score and solid work experience to get into a top school like Wharton. These business schools typically try to build highly diverse cohorts - so if there's anything about your profile that can set you apart from the pack, I would highlight that on your application.

Well, this last year I've been taking on some project management-type roles, and I have some experience getting a nonprofit off the ground. Other than that, the normal volunteer gigs, etc.

Do you think Wharton would be a better choice than Wisconsin for marketing? I mean, if I can get in (I still think it's a reach school, but I wonder how much energy I should put into pursuing it.)

I think you might benefit from an extra year to target Wharton, to get more leadership experience and a better GMAT, unless your work experience is both stellar and at firms that hire from Wharton.

I think that Wisconsin is the best option to choose.

I think Wharton might have an edge overall, but if the choice is between Wisconsin, Foster and Rutgers - Wisconsin is probably the way to go.

No school can match Wisconsin for your profile and the fees is pretty good as well. You will be away in the summer for the internship and for holiday so college town is not too bad.

Otherwise Cornell, Kellogg Wharton are other options. Darden is also strong

Great, thanks for this. I'll take Darden into account as well.

I don't think any of these are bad choices. You have them in the right order on a specialisation-blind level, but for marketing Wisconsin has a global reputation for both brand management and for research-driven marketing.I would put that first.

I don't think there are many MBAs, desirable or otherwise, in New York at that price. The only option that comes to mind is upstate: http://www2.binghamton.edu/som/graduate/professional-mba-nyc/index.html Try UMass Lowell?

That Binghampton program looks like a great value - but with its Saturday classes, isn't it more appropriate for NYC-area working professionals?

Their more typically full-time, "Four Semester" MBA program is not a bad choice either, but with a bit of a higher price tag, which for some reason isn't very transparent on the course webpage - from what I can make out, it will be at least $40,300 for non-residents.

To be honest, I am not sure that they would even accept full-time students in the NYC programme. For a self-starter with a clear career strategy and a undergraduate degree in business, it would be great for intensive networking in the City.

How does Indiana Kelley stack up to these other schools for marketing? I have heard it was good but I am not sure. I am interested in this one and perhaps Rutgers or Wisconsin.

Take a look at http://www.find-mba.com/specializations/21/marketing

I would say that Kelley is a strong choice, compared to Rutgers or Wisconsin. Grads working in marketing generally have higher salaries than those from the other schools working in similar functions. Plus, it has better placement in the FT rankings.

Are those the only schools you are considering? Have you looked at Wharton?

Thank you for the input. I would consider Wharton, but the tuition is above my budget... I was looking at Kelley because I am an Indiana resident, and for residents the fees are affordable.