What would you do? - Part Two

poseidon · #1 07-07-2005, 04:16 AM

I'm now in the process of shopping around schools for an MBA in Marketing. I've a few options in the Denver area -- I'd prefer not to do strictly an Internet-only school, so I'm limiting myself to what's around here.

My options are the University of Colorado, where I can get a Masters of Science in Marketing, the University of Denver where I can get an MBA in Marketing, Regis University where I can get an MBA in Marketing, and the University of Phoenix, where I can get a Masters in Marketing.

My dad's school of thought (pardon the pun) is to go to the most prestigious school possible, which would be the Daniels School of Business at the University of Denver. His second choice would be the University of Colorado. He has a negative opinion of Regis and Phoenix, Regis because he's never heard of it and Phoenix because he doesn't consider it a "real" school. My dad is 70.

I've done a bit of research, and Regis is actually quite well-respected, especially in this region of the country. It has been a top-rated school for several years from US News and World Report, FWIW. It is very well known in this part of the country and much lesser known outside of the Rocky Mountain region. I don't plan on moving anytime soon, so if I were to move in say, 10 or 15 years, I'd have that much more relevant work experience and nobody is going to care about what B-school I went to, right?

I've asked some friends who are executives and their opinion has been, if you're going for your MBA, an MBA is an MBA unless you're getting it from say, Harvard. They've said make sure the school is accredited and you should do fine.

I remember following my dad's advice back in 1986 when I graduated high school. He told me that you wanted to go to the best college you possibly could because it would help you get a job. I started off at the University of Denver and finished up at Wisconsin. I really loved DU as an undergrad and really hated Wisconsin. When I graduated and started looking for a job, I can't recall a single job interview where the question came up, "What school did you graduate from?" The only educational-related question that came up was did I have a Bachelor's degree.

I'm of the opinion that I want to do what's best for myself career-wise. I can get into Regis in the August semester. I have enough work experience to waive the GMAT (graduate version of the SATs) requirement. At the University of Denver, I'll require the GMAT (which I'll have to study for) and a letter of recommendation from someone who can vouch for my professional credentials (in other words, my employer, which I am not a fan of tipping off as to my plans). Same thing with the University of Colorado.

Phoenix has been falling out of favor with me, mostly for two reasons -- first, I'm thinking that an MBA in Marketing is more valuable than an MS in Marketing and second, I can't find anything, independently, that gives positive reviews of it.

Does anyone here have any insight/advice on the matter? Would you go for an MBA versus an MS? Does the school you graduate from really matter, or is the degree from any accredited school the important factor?

**mjfrombuffalo**[$] · #2 07-07-2005, 08:20 AM

The name of the school matters more if you're looking to move far away. You've probably never heard of Hunter School of Social Work, but in NYC it's well-known. If I were to apply for a job in DC or Denver or Oregon, my resume wouldn't jump out at anyone, at least not my MSW, but I'm not planning on relocating anyway. If I were planning to relocate, I'd have gotten my MSW at New York University or Columbia University, both which are better-known nationally.

mnehr · #3 07-07-2005, 03:12 PM

Congrats on shooting for an MBA or MS. You are smart to consider a speciality- Marketing. I found out the hard way that a simple MBA is not as powerful as one that is specialized.

Feel free to join the MBA Association. You can post the questions you have about various schools and received feedback from current and former students of those schools.

poseidon · #4 07-07-2005, 03:45 PM

Hey, thanks for that website! I went ahead and joined and posed the question there as well.

Thanks again!