I know there have been numerous post regarding top MBA programs but I want to specifically present this case and would appreciate your thoughts or feedback. My target credentials before applying to a top b-school are: Masters in Real estate finance and investment CFA designation 5 years work experience in the real estate industry The primary reason for mba is for networking and management skills. I really want to attend Havard but not sure if the benefits of a full time program will far outweigh the 2 years sacrifice of not working. I’m also considering the Executive MBA from Columbia because I will be able to still work while in the program. Plus I’ll also be networking with executives. But my fear is that EMBA from Columbia is not that valued and an Havard MBA may be more beneficial in the long run. Please share your thoughts…what are some advantages and disadvantages of both programs? Will the two year sacrifice pay a higher dividend in the long run? Thanks in advancce
I think the biggest factor will be what you want to do after your MBA. If the purpose is just to advance you in your current career path, I would personally go with Columbia, because you can continue to work. If you’re looking to transition to a different industry/career than harvard is probably the better choice. Better access to recruiting, etc…
showtyme Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > I know there have been numerous post regarding top > MBA programs but I want to specifically present > this case and would appreciate your thoughts or > feedback. > > My target credentials before applying to a top > b-school are: > > Masters in Real estate finance and investment > CFA designation What are “target credentials”? Do you not have any of those credentials already?
good point FIAnalyst… Numi, I’m currently on the path to acquiring those credential. I am enrolled in the masters in real estate finance and investment program and recently passed the level 1 examof the CFA in December of 07.
there’s a really big hole in the ground on mass ave right now maybe 10 blocks from my place and supposedly harvard is building a pimped out new student union. by the time your credential wish list is done, if you get in, you’ll have a state of the art new place to pick up your mail and grab a coffee. how’s that for inspiration? seriously, though, i don’t know anyone with a harvard MBA who is kicking themselves and saying man, i wish i went to columbia for an EMBA. if you can get in, welcome to the republic of cambridge buddy. warning- there was an unusually high horn honkage today everywhere- hillary and obama supporters everywhere honk honk super tuesday woohoo. ps- leave the yankees hat home. it has no business in hahhhvahhhhd yahhhhd
harvard branding speaks volumes…
This is f-ing stupid. Come back in five years when you’ve applied and been accepted and ask then.
i concur. This is quite stupid. But since we’re at it, if I’m able to get a decent job, make 200k in 5 years, maintain in top physical condition and have a mastery of capital markets, should I be going for Goldman Sachs or Morgan Stanley? more important then that, should I be aiming for a blond or a brunette?
definitely a brunette. Blonds are overrated.
hahaha…
Please keep your comments to yourself if you don’t have anything constructive to say. If you think this is f-ing stupid, then just ignore the post and find something better to do with your time rather than criticizing people for planning for the future. Anyone else that has something constructive to say, please share your thoughts…I was having this discussion with a friend and would like to know what the people on this forum thinks. Thanks
I think that the CFA will not really help as much as you think… the type of people going each school are different so see what group you fit in. if you want the full exp go full time… if you need the money…go part time… which will be better for you? depends on you… i know ivy mba guys that are car,rug,wine brokers… and top 50 mba guys that make mid 400’s easy.
here is something constructive. Why don’t you focus on what you’re suppose to be doing rather then acquiring education for the sake of whatever. It sounds like you’re looking into an MBA for the sake of the job (much like myself), but really, i think its better to just perfect your craft (MBA is a last option for me). 5 years is too far ahead to be planning ahead. Who knows, you might be successful enough within 3 to not do an MBA. Finally, if you’re already considering an MBA and you’re not even finished your current masters, i strongly doubt you’re really worthy of the masters you’re getting right now. I don’t mean to disrespect. You’re planning on fighting Miguel Cotto after winning the state golden gloves. overlooking your opponent leads to you on your back, and this isn’t a porno so that’s not a good thing.
nice post Frank
haha… great analogies frank. +1
FrankArabia Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > here is something constructive. Why don’t you > focus on what you’re suppose to be doing rather > then acquiring education for the sake of whatever. > It sounds like you’re looking into an MBA for the > sake of the job (much like myself), but really, i > think its better to just perfect your craft (MBA > is a last option for me). 5 years is too far ahead > to be planning ahead. Who knows, you might be > successful enough within 3 to not do an MBA. > > Finally, if you’re already considering an MBA and > you’re not even finished your current masters, i > strongly doubt you’re really worthy of the masters > you’re getting right now. I don’t mean to > disrespect. > > You’re planning on fighting Miguel Cotto after > winning the state golden gloves. overlooking your > opponent leads to you on your back, and this isn’t > a porno so that’s not a good thing. Thanks for the feedback. It’s certainly not wise to waist time and money just to acquire education for whatever sake. As I specifically mentioned earlier, I am doing it for the networking and the management skills. And you are totally right, I may become successful before 5 years and not need an MBA, but I still believe it is prudent to have a plan set out. I am definitely not overlooking my opponent in anyway. My motto is that “every battle is won before it is ever fought” (if you haven’t read the art of war, I’ll advise you to get a copy- great book). I was confident that I will perform well even before enrolling in the masters program, which I am (over 3.5 GPA), so I am certainly worthy of it (still feeling the anologies though). But that’s all beside the point of this post. I simply am inquiring about the difference in value of an Harvard MBA and Columbia EMBA…Thanks
I would’ve preferred a “greed is good” quote, but to each their own.
Sorry to be offensive. But the notion of comparing Harvard MBA and Columbia EMBA is pretty stupid. Everyone knows Harvard is much better. Our President is a fine graduate of it… 
Masters in Real estate finance and investment CFA designation -As someone applying to B-school and coming from the same industry, these will help tell your story but won’t have a large effect on your app. 5 years work experience in the real estate industry -This will help a lot more; however, If you’re a RE guy, why aren’t you applying to Columbia Full Time, NYU, Wharton or MIT? All have more established RE programs than Harvard… I understand because I’ll apply to Harvard too, but that’s something I’m going to have to sell pretty well in my app. Regarding EMBA vs. MBA, don’t expect an EMBA from Columbia to open up any new doors for you. It’s essentially there to keep doors from closing for soon-to-be senior execs. Last time I checked I think average work experience was like 10 years or something crazy like that. In other words, if you want your education to be just part of the mosaic, then an EMBA might work, but if you plan on marketing yourself based on your MBA, primarily, at some point, then you may want to consider Full Time. Also, Why wouldn’t you do NYU part time. It seems like a program more suited to your situation…