<p>This is my first post, so please go easy on me. My question is, should I go to an MBA program at a University where my last name is highly regarded(Grandfather was a professor, Father was Asst. Dean, Dean, Uncle is dean of admissions etc…)? Or should I go I try to go to the best school possible. Stanford, Berkeley would be my longshots. I believe I could get into UCLA, Texas, USC etc… I have no desire to live anywhere but my native state. I am 30, married with 2 kids(don;t really want to relocate unless it will really payoff). </p>
<pre><code> The schools in my state are good but more like top 30ish-40ish programs. I am simply thinking that though the networks at my local schools are not huge like the above mentioned schools, that my last name would help me out considerably as far as job placement after school.
Thoughts and advice would be most helpful. Thanks!
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<p>If you aim is to get a job locally after graduation, then the local school might be best. The business school professors/staff will have better contacts with local businesses and will place you better due to your recognition and wanting to give back to the community. If you’re aim is placement with a national firm, chances are they don’t recruit at your local regional school but at places like stanford/berk/usc/ut etc.</p>
<p>That is how I would decide between those two paths. Never hurts to apply everywhere though?</p>
<p>I guess no one posts at this forum. Oh well…</p>
<p>If you choose to stay in your home state, then you are limiting you access to top jobs regardless of where you go.</p>
<p>Assuming you are from Minnesota, I would expect that one could get a job in Minnesota from any of the schools. Obviously, if you attend U of Minnesota you would have the most in-state opportunities. So, the question is whether or not you can get better opportunities in MN from other schools (ie quality over quantity). I would look at U of MN’s list of employers. Also, you never mentioned what fields you may be interested in.</p>
<p>Also, if you are from MN, it’s interesting that you are considering 4 schools in Cali and 1 in TX. It would seem to me that schools such as Wisconsin, Michigan, and Northwestern would offer more opportunities in MN. Also, if you do attend any of the schools you are considering, it’s likely that you will never want to return to the brutal midwest winters.</p>
<p>I live in the west. I am wondering the same thing. That if I graduated from UCLA or Texas, would that get me a better job in my home state as opposed to graduating from my in-state schools. I don’t want to attend UCLA, Texas, or USC and only be able to get a good job in those areas, which from the research I have done, it seems that way.</p>