<p>^ Bottom line (in a rough, broad-brush kind of way): to the extent the name on your college diploma will open doors, SMU will do that in the Texas region, and not much beyond that (being viewed as the same as any number of other schools around the country). The Wharton name will open doors around the country, and around the world. Plus, the academic caliber of the students at Wharton will be significantly higher than those at SMU. And the Wharton alumni network has a much greater national and international presence than does that of SMU. They really are in completely different leagues. And if your intent is to pursue a career outside of Texas, there just is no comparison in terms of their national and international reputations.</p>
<p>And remember, Wharton has the largest, most published, and most cited business school faculty in the world. And it excels in a wide variety of subjects, including Marketing (for which it generally is ranked among the top 2 schools in the country, and which includes Advertising among its subtopics):</p>
<p>[Best</a> Marketing Programs | Top Business Schools | US News Best Graduate Schools](<a href=“http://grad-schools.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-business-schools/marketing-rankings?int=9baa7c]Best”>http://grad-schools.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-business-schools/marketing-rankings?int=9baa7c)</p>
<p>And Wharton DOES devote significant academic resources to the field of Advertising–for example:</p>
<p>[Wharton</a> Future of Advertising Program](<a href=“http://wfoa.wharton.upenn.edu/]Wharton”>http://wfoa.wharton.upenn.edu/)</p>
<p>Obviously, if you’re hardworking and talented, an SMU degree (or degrees) will allow you to go very far in your career, as a degree from any respectable school can do. But if you want a school that will give you an extra push in terms of its reputation and academics in ANY field of business–including Advertising–and will do that around the country and around the world, then Wharton is the clear choice. It’s really that simple.</p>
<p>And also keep in mind that you would be taking a significant number of liberal arts courses as a Wharton undergrad, and many–if not most–of Penn’s liberal arts departments are among the top 10 or top 20 in the nation, again in a completely different league than SMU.</p>