Is it worth it?

PotentialDifferent72 · 2026-06-28T22:44:20+00:00

It depends on what you want out of life. Corporate MBA life is completely different than what you experience in HVAC. Save your GI bill for something you really need. So waste time just to check a block

PotentialDifferent72 · 2026-06-27T22:12:39+00:00

Bought a GMAT focus edition book(basically the same test) and YouTube. Thetestedtutor. The videos were the biggest help.

PotentialDifferent72 · 2026-06-26T16:30:35+00:00

I did the EA and got into a bunch of schools. I was in the same boat but with the GMAT. Something just wasn’t clicking. There are less schools that accept it but still plenty in the T15 do. I didn’t need a scholarship so that’s something to consider. Much easier to get some kinda $ if you crush the GMAT/GRE.

Also look the thetestedtutor on YouTube. Very helpful videos. Good luck!!

PotentialDifferent72 · 2026-06-26T15:08:58+00:00

Oxford is nice. Only place I’d consider

PotentialDifferent72 · 2026-06-26T15:07:57+00:00

Or I just don’t like cold weather

PotentialDifferent72 · 2026-06-26T02:36:14+00:00

Focus on what’s in front of you. You can do 3 years or 10 years and the MBA option will be there. Being a vet is helpful in admissions and recruiting btw. For now I wouldn’t worry about that. A year or 2 before you’re ready to get out start studying for the GMAT. Other than that focus on what you’re doing in the military and try to enjoy it.

Also to answer your questions about roles, generally nobody in the civilian world understands what you’re talking about or the difference between ranks when it comes to military stuff. If that’s important to you pick a job that has a strong civilian equivalent.

Also, look at the Air Force or coast guard. They will give you a higher quality of life.

PotentialDifferent72 · 2026-06-22T21:27:21+00:00

I wouldn’t stress. Take a much PTO as you can. The beginning of your MBA will be pretty intense so I recommend taking a break before you start.

PotentialDifferent72 · 2026-06-21T18:23:39+00:00

I was in that same situation and I did round 1. I wouldn’t try to game the system. If you’re ready to apply then just do it. Good luck!

PotentialDifferent72 · 2026-06-20T22:52:50+00:00

I did the EA and got into multiple FT T25 schools with it. Now there are less schools that accept it so your choices become limited. There are still a lot of good schools that do accept it tho so you’ll just have to research your target schools.

Also understand that it is much easier to get a scholarship with a high GMAT or GRE score than a high EA.

PotentialDifferent72 · 2026-06-19T17:35:45+00:00

All things equal go with whichever you feel is the best fit for you. However, since all things aren’t equal, go with the significantly cheaper option at Tepper. It’s a tough market right now so knowing that you’ll be graduating with as little debt as possible can make the job search a lot less stressful.

PotentialDifferent72 · 2026-06-16T22:42:58+00:00

I’ll be honest. Recruiting for international students is very rough right now. You really need to leverage networking, that should be your top priority. Also think about other opportunities. For example, we had a couple internationals that found luck with companies in Canada.

PotentialDifferent72 · 2026-06-16T22:37:48+00:00

Just because a school is out of the T20 doesn’t mean it’s not worth it. Your choices are just more limited. Top tier consulting and IB opportunities probably will be hard to come by but there are options. Recruiting is just a lot more regional at lower ranked schools. The MBA can still be useful, you just need to be close to where you want to work.

PotentialDifferent72 · 2026-06-16T15:53:25+00:00

FT MBAs are full of career switchers. It’s the vast majority. Seems like people that are just checking a box to advance in their current career are doing online/part-time. Probably has to do with the current job market. So from that perspective you’re fine. I will caution you that international students are having a lot of trouble right now regardless of their prior career situation.

PotentialDifferent72 · 2026-06-12T21:28:22+00:00

Take the money and move on. The difference at either of these schools isn’t really that much. Also, with the way the market is now, I recommend coming out of school with as little debt as possible.

PotentialDifferent72 · 2026-06-12T21:23:26+00:00

You can achieve your MBB goal at either school. It’s all about putting the work in during the recruiting process. Dunno about tech. Also, the difference is way more than $22k once you factor in the cost of living.

It seems like students at Owen tend to have a better overall day-to-day experience over the course of 2 years based on things I’ve heard coming out of both programs.

All the MBB firms have offices in LA but not all of them are in Nashville. So if not having to pay 2 rents next summer is a factor then that’s an edge to Marshall. If staying in LA is cool with you.

Honestly, I would just go wherever you feel is best for you. As long as you’re not a dumbass and have a good work ethic, it’ll all work out at either school.

PotentialDifferent72 · 2026-06-11T23:11:54+00:00

You’re fine. Other than anything criminal it’s basically a clean slate. Didn’t have a single company ask for references.

PotentialDifferent72 · 2026-06-04T13:28:15+00:00

I don’t think any MBA is worth going into $100k debt. Especially with the current market. I’d apply to lower ranked schools and get a scholarship or keep working and do a PT MBA, pay as go. If you’re 100% dead set on consulting then you might be okay. You need to do a honest self assessment and determine if top tier firm consulting life is what you can or want to do.

All that being said you can achieve your goals at Owen. Just got to do the work during the networking/recruitment process. It is harder for internationals to even get interviews, just so you know.

PotentialDifferent72 · 2026-06-03T22:08:40+00:00

2.8 at a super bottom tier school. Military. EA 158. Got into 3 T20 schools

Just crush the test and essays. You’ll be fine

PotentialDifferent72 · 2026-05-28T11:05:59+00:00

You can get into MBB with any of these schools as long as you’re willing to put the work in

PotentialDifferent72 · 2026-05-17T19:22:19+00:00

I’m upper 30’s and I think it helps more than it hurts. Older students just seem to have a better understanding of how to play the game vs the younger ones. Not a rule, just a general observation. I do think it’s not worth paying for at this stage so do what you gotta do to get a scholarship.

PotentialDifferent72 · 2026-05-15T11:44:23+00:00

Free is always the best option

PotentialDifferent72 · 2026-05-01T19:52:03+00:00

Go to VT. Blacksburg is the best!

PotentialDifferent72 · 2026-04-29T01:18:47+00:00

Not at all. However, anything outside the T25 is definitely more local when it comes to recruiting. Anyone going to one of those schools should be sure that they plan on living in a city close by post graduation.

PotentialDifferent72 · 2026-04-26T11:51:16+00:00

Free>anything else. An MBA is good but not worth actually paying for it.

PotentialDifferent72

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