Currently I have applied and been accepted to University of Tennessee Knoxville and East Tennessee State University and have just recently applied to the College of William and Mary and American University. I know that UTK and ETSU will be the most cost effective, with ETSU probably being completely paid for, but I would like to know if by going to a “regional” school as one of my counselors put it would affect my employability and later enrollment in hopefully a more prestigious MBA program. Thank you in advance
Your counselor is correct. The better school, the better job, the better MBA program. Obviously, people from average schools, average jobs can get into better programs but percentages are less. Call or email career services dept at each school find out where their students intern and get jobs. Those answers can help with your decision.
Good luck
YMMV on this. For example, if you plan to remain in TN, and work in TN (or the immediate area)…it is quite possible that you will be VERY successful gaining a good job.
My understanding is that most MBA programs want some job experience. You know…not everyone at Wharton graduated from a top elite school. There are MBA candidates at every top school from smaller or public universities.
You want to look at the recruiting that is done at these colleges. That will give you an idea of job prospects for you when you graduate. You probably also want to inquire about internship opportunities.
UTK is your flagship university. It’s a great school.
As a potential business major, I would strongly urge you to crunch the numbers.
Will you be able to pay for these other colleges without significant loans? If you need loans in excess of the Direct Loan, will your parents take out or cosign those loans?