Need advice re: Grad School

niecey - they did change the program, but the deal is that if i take more classes then i will be paying more $$ b/c that would mean my company's annual contributions are spread thinner - hence, more out of my own pocket. So I will probably be following the same schedule as your DH. I am starting again this Wednesday - taking accouting this semester. Once you get into it, school is great - especially meeting people from all different backgrounds and fields. Plus, for the first time, I am actually applying the knowledge I learned in school to my job!! An MBA is a very practical degree, but you have to like business. (How am I doing with the pep talk??) If you're planning to go to b-school you have to take the GMAT, which isn't so bad. Is that what you're looking into? I think it is definitely wothwhile. But it gets hard when your life changes and you have other goals to accomodate as well. For me, this dilemma is strictly financial. We can afford NYU and still live comfortably, but then we wouldn't be saving much towards buying a home - something that is very important to me as well right now. Let me know if you need more motivation/talks re: applying.

Niecey - I agree with the MS degree for your field. Good Luck!!!

Sassy - Have fun back at school, I'll be starting on Wednesday!!!!

Thanks- I'll need it...

I can relate to you a bit on this. I struggled with 'where I should go' for my Masters and decided on the program and the school. The school is very important, but I think the program should come first. That said, it looks like what you want to pursue is in both schools. So it's a personal decision. Although, I think Baruch is an excellent school, in my mind, I think NYU is better solely based on rankings. It's a disgusting fact but true and I hate to have to admit to it!

I work in HR and not only do I evaluate people's salaries, I also can see the different opportunities that top school graduates receive over others. NYU has a higher average starting salary and we tend to hire the most students from NYU and Columbia (in the NY area). Perceptions are key ... and the perception of employers are higher for those candidates from high ranking schools. Also, relationships, with certain companies are established with certain schools. We hire and will make a presence at those schools we have maintained such relationships. And alumni! Alumni are biased in their hiring decisions. It is so blatantly obvious. Where I work, a ton of top executives received their MBA at NYU and love to hire more NYU students.

Would your education be the same if you went to Baruch over NYU? To some degree probably and it's true, it's what you take out of the program that is important. They way in which you use your knowledge determines how you will do in a company. And yes, you can do so much better than those ivy leaguers. But getting in the 'door' of a company is first - with what degree would you find easiest in getting through this first step? I chose to pursue my MA at Columbia University, because I wanted more opportunities when I graduated. But that was my personal decision. Although I do intend to stay and move up with my employer and become a mom one day with the possability of working part-time, I still wanted more opportunities in the field that I am pursuing. But it's taking me longer to finish up my degree, because like you, I only get a certain $ amount and I'm stretching my classes from year to year, to get the most money from my employer.

And with all my ranting on - I have to tell you that my DH hasn't completely decided where he wants to pursue his degree - but it will probably be at Baruch - because they have the program he wants and because he is not into the competitive philosophy at NYU - that is his personal decision! And get this ... his company pays for his degree full! Yep, and it doesn't matter where he goes, just that his concentration is in the same field as his current job! And he is choosing Baruch over NYU!

But good luck! I hope I've made some sense and helped you just a little!!!

I worked in HR for a while as an Executive Recruiter.. the only thing I can say is past experience is really important. MBA is a degree you get when you already have work experience. If you have crappy work experience, I don't think a MBA from Wharton will help you because obviously you couldn't get a good job before the degree..

If I were you and I wanted to save for a house, I would go for Baruch... it seems like you already have great experience and a MBA will only add to it.

it seems like the people in the finance world say NYU is the way to go...

but $4000 x 16 = $64000

you have to take into consideration if this is something that you can do...

but then again I spent $50,000 on one day!!!

Thanks so much to all of you for the great advice and responses. I think I will apply to Baruch for the Fall 2003 and if I get in, I can decide then if I will go or not. Which means I will probably be posting again in a few motnhs about this!! hehe In the meantime, any more advice is welcome - keep 'em coming!!!