Just a little history first - I enrolled at NYU stern business school in Fall 2001. I have only taken 3 classes so far b/c while I was in school, I got engaged and took a semester off to save $$ for the wedding.
The issue: NYU is a top b-school, but I am not sure if it is (financially) worth it for me to continue there or transfer to Baruch. The reason is that NYU costs $4000 per CLASS. My company pays for some, but I still have to pay at least $10K out of my pocket per year. This is $$$ I would like save to buy a house/take nice vacations, etc. in the next couple of years. Baruch on the other hand is also a good school and would cost me $0. I don't think it matters much at my company where I get my degree, but my boss did suggest that she thought NYU was a better investment. Another thing I think about is that if anything happens and I leave my current job, the NYU degree might make it easier to get a good job someplace else. Also, I kinda feel that I am lucky to have gotten in and should stay. To be honest though, it HURTS to fork over $4K for one class - and I have 16 classes to go!! Any thoughts? thanks!
spel
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Re: Need advice re: Grad School
very difficult decision. no great advice here, but good luck.
Sassyz75
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I go to Baruch and have gone to public institutions all my life. IMO it's about the person, not the school. I know a lot of people that have gotten their MBA's at Baruch and have done really well for themselves.. Yes, you'll have to work a little harder to compete over the NYU & Columbia kids- but if you got it, you got it... I am 100% confident that I can get a great job with my MBA from Baruch. IMO NYU & Columbia are wastes of money.. I could've had my choice, but didn't even bother applying because there is no way I would spend that type of money. I have an undergrad from SUNY and have earned 3xs as much compared to my private school friends. It's what you do with the knowledge, not where it comes from.
Crisco718
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I actually went through the same thing. I had to choose between NYU and Fordham. I chose Fordham because NYU did not offer an MBA in Personal Financial Planning. If I had to do it again I would probably choose NYU.
NYU B school has a lot of power behind its name. It is able to open a lot of doors for you. My best friend graduated from Stern last year and she has had unbelievable experiences.
Valenia
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Are you planning to work nonstop even after children? Can you cover your bills and live comfortably despite the money being spent for school? If so, I think that the investment in NYU would be well worth it. No matter where you move, or what job you change to, the NYU degree will give you instant credibility. You are likely to get better responses to your resume, and additional respect from coworkers (whether justified or not is a whole other story!).
cw0904
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I am going to apply to Fordham (my alma mater) and Baruch. NYU does not have a good program for what I am looking for. I would love to got to Thunderbird in Arizona but its in Arizona! Thunderbird is the #1 school for International Marketing Management in the country.
Although a school can be good just b/c of the name, you should take into account which school has the best program that you are looking for. In the industry you are in, people will know the schools that are top notch in your particular specializiation whether you go to a state school or an ivy league.
Niecey
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Ok..here's my opinion on this topic. (I have to start with I am not a big NYU fan.) DH works in finance and completed his grad degree in finance two years ago. It has definitely been to his benefit ($$ and job status) to get his degree from Stern. I think the NYU/Stern name (esp. over Baruch) will help you out in terms of career advancement and job opportunities in the future in the financial field. If you could afford it, I would say go for NYU. They also have a pretty extensive recruiting process for Stern grads that offer some great job opportunities for a very $$ price tag. I couldn't believe how much they are willing to pay someone (esp. those with no prior work experiece) just because the graduated from Stern. (It actually drove me nuts!!) If you want more info, let me know.
I say all of that and yet I am a strong believer in the person and name/labels do not matter. I personally am considering starting grad school and will not go to NYU/Stern..most probably Baruch. (like you wedding planning put me behind.) I am in IT and and I haven't seen the name being as much of a factor in my field.
Sonicstef
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There are pros and cons to each side of the story.
Speaking as someone who has interviewed and hired new candidates for the banking institutions I have worked for - an NYU MBA is much more valuable in terms of marketability to prestigious firms than a Baruch MBA. Not to say that you cant get a job at a prestigious firm with a Baruch MBA - you can - but you must have other qualifications an NYU grad may not have.
In terms of grad school on the whole being worth it or not - that is a question Im dealing with now. I have several friends who have their MBAs and tell me its not worth it because they are working side by side with people who dont have graduate degrees (making the same $$) and they feel its a waste. But part of me still feels like a graduate degree is something I really want for myself more than anything. I guess it depends on your field and what level you expect to reach in it.
Sassyz75
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I guess in Finance.. it's more important.. but I'm a Marketing girl- and that field is based on personal..
dgtlsunshine
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Oh this one is a toughie. 4K versus 0.
I wish I could offer better advise. I will say though that NYU is known everywhere. I am all the way in Virginia and if you came down here with that degree it would be recognized. Although I know of Baruch b/c I am originally from New York.
I am with Stef its a hard decision. I am in the IT field and currenlty finishing up my masters at George Washington Univeristy. Alot of people have told me why I even bother. I do have coworkers that work with me now that have their masters and I guess they feel what is the point. I think they make more than me, but I guess not significantly more.
It does sound like you are saying you are affording this without taking out any loans and that is a big plus. Alot of people leave those types of school in some debt. I have learned to just do things gradually. As far as school, wedding and house. I did them in that order for money reasons. Its up to you what is more important and what works for you.
Think about why you chose NYU in the first place.
dkga1026
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Thanks for all the advice! I know it is impossible for anyone to tell me what the 'right' decision is, especially since there are people on both sides who have had both good and bad experiences. There is no denying that a grad school degree is 'worth it' - any education is worth it, even if it doesn't mean more $$$. I am just trying to decide whether it is $4k-a-class worth it!
Jess2
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I went to NYU for grad school, and half of my classes were in Stern. Let's just say I spent alot of money in loans. For me, it worked out good, but I know that Baruch has a wonderful MBA program and is competitive w/Stern I believe. You need to do what is best for you, good luck!
Sassyz75
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If you can afford it, go for it... but in this market- you can't guarantee you can get a job with a degree from anywhere... so will the debt be worth it? At Baruch, it's $800 a class... I wouldn't want all the debt.. that's just me.. but also, education debt, is good debt.
alina
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I agree with Valenia on this one. If you can afford to live without struggling too too much, NYU degree would be a great investment, particularly b/c it has a top part time MBA program. I can tell you that I was asked to interview for certain jobs in finance over others simply based on the school that i have attended during undergrad (which is not NYU, but an ivy). If you ever have to move accross the country, Baruch is not likely to be as recognized as NYU.
Check out the www.businessweek.com b-school boards for info on either school... Last time I looked there about this topic, there is a usually a lot of discussion on it.
Sassyz75
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Is your concentration Finance?
dkga1026
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Sassy, most likely I will be concentrating in Finance with Management as a second major...I won't have to decide until I finish the core currciculum which I am still working on. Another issue is that I will be able to finish my degree much quicker at Baruch b/c they require less classes and will accept a lot more of my undergrad credits.
Sassyz75
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Well can you try Baruch & if you hate it go back?
alina
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If you plan on doing finance, I would say go with NYU. Reputation is definitely worth it.
dkga1026
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Sassy - I don't think I have the energy to apply to Baruch, go there and then- if I don't like it -apply back to NYU and go there again. Plus, what if I don't get into NYU a second time?
Just edited to say that I don't think it will be a matter of hating Baruch at all, it's more about leaving NYU.
Niecey
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dkga-I know NYU changed their program in the last year or two to aid part-timers to finish up quicker. It took my DH 4 years taking 2 classes each semester and even summer classes. He was so miserable. now we have a bunch of friends enrolled and I think it is more like 2-3 years. I am sure Baruch is quicker though. I hate that NYU doesn't accept/waive anything. My DH is a CPA and they only would waive him taking the entry level accounting class as long as he took another class in its place.
When are you looking to start up again...help give me motivation to start looking more seriously into grad school? I have always said it was my goal to get my masters but first it was I couldn't afford it, then it wasn't necessary in my field for advancement (at that time- went for Microsoft certification instead), then the wedding....now it is I plan on moving to LI in the next year! I need to do it...when I chat with people doing it I get motivation! I took my GRE's more than 5 years ago..probably more like 7!
