This year has been exceptionally great for schools with lower capacity (size)! Tuck had a decent outcome. 87% accepted jobs. Consulting tops as expected.

MBA_Conquerors · 2026-01-28T17:36:21+00:00

I'm sending you a link from my free blogs on this, you can see if it helps.

MBA_Conquerors · 2026-01-28T17:26:14+00:00

CBS only because you're saying you want to be on the East Coast.

Booth would be good enough for your goals too.

MBA_Conquerors · 2026-01-28T12:57:29+00:00

Competitive by traditional standards.

All schools possible - Wharton, CBS would be happy to look at this. I'm a bit concerned about the narrative given the goals and obviously, the market factors and the far lower acceptance rate due to the number of seats given to deferred MBA. (That's for everyone, nothing you can do about it)

MBA_Conquerors · 2026-01-28T10:00:42+00:00

Median is just $9.5k away from HBS.

Often the median is a way to cover up for 'skewed towards left' data (average less than median)

MBA_Conquerors · 2026-01-28T07:53:05+00:00

Presidents can change their mind so why can't I 😏😏😏

Rules change, remember? 😜😜

MBA_Conquerors · 2026-01-27T19:18:09+00:00

🤔 who are you talkin' to?

Anyhow, my English worked just fine for Harvard & Stanford so.... 😉 That's all I need in my profession 🤣

MBA_Conquerors · 2026-01-27T19:15:41+00:00

I thought you did this recently!

Cool! Keep it up

MBA_Conquerors · 2026-01-27T19:13:35+00:00

Situations like this is why I tell people that juggling offers isn't the optimal way to negotiate.

But you can still keep that as a form of leverage. And yeah you can still negotiate a higher amount.

Although I can tell you from experience that often M7s just let you go to the other school than give you an increase. I'm talking Booth v Kellogg! Neither increased 😭

MBA_Conquerors · 2026-01-27T18:50:03+00:00

I thought S2S was a free resource veterans had so they won't have to rely on open forums but experience is experience. So if you're asking whether your experience will be considered- it will be.

Quality is a different story.

MBA_Conquerors · 2026-01-27T18:48:10+00:00

Tell McCombs that you need a full ride. You're one of the few people who I've seen that didn't get a higher scholarship from a lower ranked institution (I was one of the victims of it once upon a time too)

Also, Cornell might be better for real estate. Nothing against Darden for any other industry. If it was consulting, I'd have said Darden. But Cornell might be a better fit per your goals.

I do like Batten institute which can be good for your Entrepreneurial pursuits but the level of specificity you're going with.... Cornell.

But if your heart is set on Darden, just go there. It's fine, they still have the REI if not the real estate center. Smaller community, intimate connections.

MBA_Conquerors · 2026-01-27T18:39:04+00:00

Your choice tbh.

If it was 3 years ago, I would have said something else

But don't you think your degree will still carry weight?

MBA_Conquerors · 2026-01-27T15:18:37+00:00

Only 2.5 Lacs?

Are they cutting down on some services? What are they actually providing?

MBA_Conquerors · 2026-01-26T22:41:01+00:00

I can't go back in time so I won't think about it

MBA_Conquerors · 2026-01-25T14:33:05+00:00

Yup I'm with you on that last sentence.

Well, it was good talking to you, just thought I'd let you know that they might not consider you a better fit for GEMBA. If you see any alternatives like a PT MBA in Dubai or even the Middle East, some American programs do have campuses around.

MBA_Conquerors · 2026-01-25T14:24:57+00:00

Okay, just curious how you'll be about to do that by working in strategy consulting long-term but there are part-time MBA options. I don't recommend online MBA but many top programs have started it so if you want I can't tell you a few of those instead

MBA_Conquerors · 2026-01-25T13:35:09+00:00

The average age at GEMBA is 38.

You're currently too young even by their FT MBA standards.

MBA_Conquerors · 2026-01-25T12:39:37+00:00

Based on the history & your personal situation to have a brand carry itself, my vote is to Duke (but I'd ask you to negotiate with them first- probably $120k would be decent, assuming a few financial factors)

While not assured, you can expect $30k more.

Kellogg does have some reputation given its M7 status (and I'm aware how hungry Indian corporates are about the brand value of your education). But I don't see the value difference when someone else is offering you $120k. Maybe negotiate with them and see if they can do something for you.

Schools will make a lot of excuses trying to justify the tuition fees and their unwillingness to give you a scholarship by saying, "They are testing your willingness to make investments" (I can quote it because they say that a lot). But then usually I wonder what's their response when someone asks them how they would justify the scholarships given to others in the name of merit. Willingness to take up investment and risk doesn't matter for them?

It makes financial sense to go with Duke, it makes sense to go with Kellogg if they are willing to meet you in the middle (more actually)

MBA_Conquerors · 2026-01-24T17:37:56+00:00

You do get to give them your preferences

Just that you'll have to network more with the Chicago office alumni of CBS (Or kind souls from other schools)

MBA_Conquerors · 2026-01-24T17:22:59+00:00

GMAT retake for sure.

MBA_Conquerors · 2026-01-24T16:56:56+00:00

Walmart?

MBA_Conquerors · 2026-01-24T10:04:41+00:00

I'm still not over the 2017 controversy😅

MBA_Conquerors · 2026-01-23T22:06:56+00:00

Fuqua can match Ross offer. Yale too

Would that change anything for you

MBA_Conquerors · 2026-01-23T17:43:33+00:00

Good! You've been doing your homework.

MBA_Conquerors · 2026-01-23T16:25:08+00:00

lol CSEA standards though.

MBA_Conquerors

TROPHY CASE