How did you pick your MBA program?

[sugarcrook]

I'm looking for opinions I wouldn't otherwise get, so I'm asking the broadest social network I'm a member of.     I've been self-employed for about 9 years and, while things have been good, I don't really have a career path.  I see getting an MBA as a way to either take on new projects or seek a more lucrative salary in an organization.  Because I'll need to work while I'm attending, I need an executive MBA program.

Right now I'm looking at programs like Berkeley (very pricey), Pepperdine (stupid pricey) or San Jose State (less pricey).  Is it worth paying more for the school with more prestige?  From the other conversations I've had, it seems that a primary advantage of getting an MBA is the alumni network it gives you access to.   Is it worth paying for that?  (Assuming I get even get in.)

I really appreciate the input. 

[abby normal]

I'm looking for opinions I wouldn't otherwise get, so I'm asking the broadest social network I'm a member of.     I've been self-employed for about 9 years and, while things have been good, I don't really have a career path.  I see getting an MBA as a way to either take on new projects or seek a more lucrative salary in an organization.  Because I'll need to work while I'm attending, I need an executive MBA program.

Right now I'm looking at programs like Berkeley (very pricey), Pepperdine (stupid pricey) or San Jose State (less pricey).  Is it worth paying more for the school with more prestige?  From the other conversations I've had, it seems that a primary advantage of getting an MBA is the alumni network it gives you access to.   Is it worth paying for that?  (Assuming I get even get in.)

I really appreciate the input. 

saw an article (in WSJ if i recall) which said that the average MBA does not return the
financial investment.  as an engineer being prepped for management, i took what was
purported to be an MBA level course in leadership ... biggest waste of time i can imagine.

here at my current place of employment, we have an MBA 'V.P.' who can't understand why
50% of (150% of $1.00) does not equal $1.00.

my advice:  the value of an MBA appears to be related to where it is obtained, not what
is learned.  if this is something you absolutely have to do, go for berkeley or stanford.

[swampduc]

I'm interested to see responses to this as well. I've been thinking about an MBA as a way to get into a different career besides actually practicing medicine (later). People apparently now feel entitled to my services in my current career.

[derby]

my advice:  the value of an MBA appears to be related to where it is obtained, not what
is learned.  if this is something you absolutely have to do, go for berkeley or stanford.

a mba friend once told me it's more about the "where" and building a "business network" than about the course material.

[derby]

I'm interested to see responses to this as well. I've been thinking about an MBA as a way to get into a different career besides actually practicing medicine (later). People apparently now feel entitled to my services in my current career.

i see what you did there. 

[cyrus buelton]

If you can't go to a Top 10 Rated Program, then it really doesn't matter.

1. Harvard
2. Stanford
3. Northwestern
4. University of Pennsylvania
5.MIT
6. Univ of Chicago
7. Berkely
8. Dartmouth
9. Columbia
10. Yale

[Mad Duc]

There's two ways of looking at - Education and prestige. For getting a job prestige probably matters more. That means a top 50 program at least, top 25 is better, top 10 best. The programs can be tough but do provide a good education. If you want the education then it doesn't matter as much as where you go as long as you do more than is required. It's a great opportunity to learn a ton on a myriad of topics. That's the key to an MBA. Learning a lot about a ton of topics. You can create a great social network but you need to keep it up. I'm not a social networker so that aspect of it passed me by.

All that said if you're a good learner there are several "MBA's in a book" that can get you started.

[angler]

2 observations on education.

If you are headed for a career that doesn't pay dick, don't accrue debt even if that means going to lower echelon schools or not going to school.  I have tons of friends in upper enviro science or anthropology whatever that are at the pinnacle of their field and will never be able to crawl out from under their debt.

If you are headed for a career that makes bank, or want to make bank in business (not as an entrepreneur), the prestige names have it all.  I am constantly amazed at all the doors that open for my friends with Harvard and Yale degrees.  It borders on disgusting really.  Some of them couldn't manage to pour the water out of a bucket if you told them the instructions were on the bottom, and yet they are making big six figures.  If they want a change of scenery they make a couple of phone calls to the alumni network and they have another cushy gig.

I really wish I had known this when I was buying education......

[abby normal]

If you can't go to a Top 10 Rated Program, then it really doesn't matter.

1. Harvard
2. Stanford
3. Northwestern
4. University of Pennsylvania
5.MIT
6. Univ of Chicago
7. Berkely
8. Dartmouth
9. Columbia
10. Yale

number 7 is spelled "Berkeley". 

[MendoDave]

I'm rocking a California state proficiency, a ged, and a tech school. i have no worries about any of that stuff.

[sugarcrook]

Thanks for all the input.  From the responses, it seems like targeting the more expensive schools might be worth my time.  Now getting accepted is another matter entirely...

[cyrus buelton]

number 7 is spelled "Berkeley". 

I don't have my MBA, so I haven't learned to spell yet 

[hbliam]

If you can't go to a Top 10 Rated Program, then it really doesn't matter.

I think it's a bit more regional (for example: USC has as much or more prestige in Cal then Chicago/Penn/Northwestern would). It also depends what you are using the MBA for and where.

[cyrus buelton]

I think it's a bit more regional (for example: USC has as much or more prestige in Cal then Chicago/Penn/Northwestern would). It also depends what you are using the MBA for and where.

I don't agree with that at all.

[il d00d]

I don't have my MBA

I think it's a bit more regional (for example: USC has as much or more prestige in Cal then Chicago/Penn/Northwestern would). It also depends what you are using the MBA for and where.

I don't agree with that at all.

I see...

So, my friend recently got his MBA from the Thunderbird School - not a top 10 school but the US News list, but has been the top-rated international business school for about 10 years running (by US news).  He is now going through the process of applying for a spot in the state department.  I am not sure if his credentials and experiences would have gotten him as far in the process if he went to another international school, or a school that did not specialize in international business.  If he decided on a civilian job, I am certain that graduating from this school and not another would have a huge impact on where he landed.  There is a network of Thunderbird grads that is both tight and widespread -there are standing alumni nights in most big cities, and they go as far as to put up visiting alums for the night, provide local contacts, etc.

As far as I can tell, business school is about your classmates as much as it is the quality of the eduction.  It sounds a lot like nepotism, but the contacts you have when you leave may be the most valuable thing you take away when you graduate.  I think there is something to the regional thing, as your chances of having a connection via a cohort in that region is probably better.
So, in choosing a school, you'll probably want to figure out not only what education you want, but whether you want a network of UoX vs UoY to tap in to.