Of the below listed options, what program would you choose to attend and why?

http://grad-schools.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-business-schools/mba-rankings

Located in Houston area and job requires about 30% travel

University of Houston - Ranked 91 - 3 years - Evening program - 36k and company would pay 25k of this

Rice - Ranked 25 - 2 years - Evening program - 96k and company would pay 25k of this

University of Florida - Ranked 44 - 2 years - ONLINE - 52k and no help from company

I am aware of the new Texas A&M program in Houston, but unfortunately it's a weekend program which would cause issues.

Thanks in advance!

What industry do you want to be in?

I am in Oil and Gas for a major company that just split in May 2012. I plan to stay at this company and I've been targeted for an engineering position in the commercial group, where a MBA would be beneficial.

ConocoPhillips?

From what I understand, Rice has a great network in O&G. But that's a big premium to pay when you aren't looking to switch companies or industries.

I'd lean towards UH out of those 3. Better network than UF in O&G, especially in Texas. And you don't deal with the online stigma, even though the UF program doesn't distinguish between the two. Are you worried about the extra year for UH? Do you want the convenience of the online thing?

Yup, only now I am in the downstream/midstream/chemicals company Phillips 66.

I've been leaning towards UH as well due to convenience and cost. The extra year does not really bother me (I may regret that in a couple of years), but a 2 year program would be a plus and having it online would also be helpful so that I don't have to schedule my travel around classes all of the time.


Do you think the online MBA would carry less weight than a part time program since it's less interaction? The UF program meets 3 weekends per year. I feel like UF would look better on the resume than UH, but like you said, UH has a bigger network in O&G and in Texas.

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I feel like UF would look better on the resume than UH, but like you said, UH has a bigger network in O&G and in Texas.

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UH is fairly well regarded in Houston, but it doesn't carry the national clout of Rice. I wouldn't consider the online program from UF at all. If you're going to have to pay out of pocket over $50k, then go to Rice. If you're not looking to change companies, then go to UH.

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Do you think the online MBA would carry less weight than a part time program since it's less interaction?

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With an online MBA, you'll miss out on the personal interaction with other students, and IMO that defeats the purpose of the MBA.

Mays in "only" 8156 per year for an MBA?? Cheap compared to other schools unless I read it wrong. Ranked 32.

Wow.

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The program cost for the class beginning in August 2013 is $79,500* for Texas residents, as determined by Texas A&M University.

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http://pmba.tamu.edu/investment/cost/

Glad I got in this year....our cost is "only" $74,500.

I wouls agree with the above that an on-line MBA is not worth it. Based on what you have stated, I think the clear choice is UH.

Thanks for the input everyone.

I'm surprised the price for the Houston based aTm MBA has already been raised. Increased $5k after just the first year, must have had a full first class which is good.

As far as changing companies and such, I am not currently planning to change companies but there are 30 years remaining in my career and so it's bound to come up sooner or later... something to consider.

In order:

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Rice - Ranked 25 - 2 years - Evening program - 96k and company would pay 25k of this

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Depending on how big of a bump you think you will get the 50K is nothing for the additional options that Rice will open over Houston.

Rice is a well respected school across the country. And 2 years is long enough. 3 years would have been a beating.

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University of Houston - Ranked 91 - 3 years - Evening program - 36k and company would pay 25k of this

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Won't travel get in the way of evening classes?

Houston is a great school but no one outside of Houston/East Texas is going think more of it than "He got his MBA from somewhere"

But it is cheap as hell and if you are only looking to check a box....

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University of Florida - Ranked 44 - 2 years - ONLINE - 52k and no help from company

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I can't believe someone is getting 52K for an online program. That is insane.

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I am aware of the new Texas A&M program in Houston, but unfortunately it's a weekend program which would cause issues.

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Don't go to aTm for no other reason than the fact that you already went to aTm. Half the value of an MBA is the network it plugs you into. You are already plugged into Mays network just by being an aggie.

AND more importantly, if a weekend program is going to cause issues, either you or your wife don't understand what going back to school while working actually entails.

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With an online MBA, you'll miss out on the personal interaction with other students, and IMO that defeats the purpose of the MBA.

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This +1

With a professional/non-FT MBA program your biggest asset is going to be the other students. The entire program is going to be centered around interaction and inclusion of all the students. Class time is structured more to give focus and direction, but all the work is done prior during the week(s) in smaller groups - that is where the real learning takes place as you and your classmates work through projects, cases, and material that will be immediately applicable with your job.

They are also going to be your network when you get out. Often the career-placement departments help to an extent, but the students ultimately are the ones that help each other and open the most doors.

GigEmAgs08-

We'd be buddies. I work for a certain subsidiary company of CoP that went with Phillips 66 in the split.

Also targeting commercial work and looking at getting an MBA at UH or Rice part-time. Have you taken the GMAT yet?

I looked at the UF program when I lived in FL. Although probably the worst choice for the OP's situation I think some are too quick to judge it. As someone that has worked remotely and looked into that program I think it does a good job of mimicking the work life I have. They set it up for a lot of interaction with students. I got the job I thought is need an MBA for so didn't pursue but was impressed with what they offered.

I looked a little deeper and part of the $5k increase is because yet are including airfare and hotel for the international trip next year. We have to pay that out of pocket.

And I'd disagree with the poster who said don't go to A&M bc u already have a degree there. I have an A&M degree, two actually, in engineering and by no way do I really think I am connected to the mays network and in reality there is more networking amongst your peers than in former people. Now if u have a business undergrad from a&m its a little different but I still wouldn't let that sway me too much. I had the same concern and after talking to many people decided it wasnt an issue. Just my .02

[This message has been edited by 07&09Ag (edited 8/22/2012 10:02p).]

TX87JL09

I took the GMAT this morning actually and did much better than expected based on my Unofficial score. What subsidiary do you work for?

Does anyone know any good options to pay for a Rice MBA? The website says they do not offer institutional scholarships. Is a large private loan the best way to pay for the Rice program?

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I am not currently planning to change companies but there are 30 years remaining in my career and so it's bound to come up sooner or later... something to consider.

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As long as you're not looking to move into investment banking or similar, it shouldn't matter that much after a few years. Initially, access to the alumni network and career services would be important if you are looking to make a major change. If you're just looking to check a box on your resume, I'm not sure Rice is worth an additional $60k.

It's difficult to choose between the top business schools and ones that are more cost-effective. Weigh your options based on your finances and willingness to travel, and go from there.

After lots of consideration, I have decided to go to Rice University. Thanks for the input.

Congrats. In the second year of the Rice evening program right now. Feel free to shoot me an email if you have any questions. Email in profile.

should have gone university of St. Thomas.

[This message has been edited by gawnfishin21 (edited 12/7/2012 1:09p).]

Missed that part that weekends would cause issues, but anyone interested in weekend MBAs see below...

Didn't read the whole thread but I'm in tu's program in Houston now...

I know it's blasphemy, but there are more aggies in the program than tu undergrads... Check it out...

Rice and A&M's weekend programs are also very good

[This message has been edited by Heelside Tantrum (edited 12/9/2012 3:25p).]

good choice going to rice. Trust me, if you ever left houston, a UH degree would be far far far less in value than a Rice degree

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[This message has been edited by careerchange05 (edited 1/22/2013 3:34p).]

swing for the fences. Apply to all of the top 5 or 6 schools. If you get in to one of those, go there.

The McCombs program in Dallas is a great program. But I would also apply to Booth, Stanford, Kellog, Harvard, MIT, and Warton.


Your GMAT is in range, your GPA is ok (and you can't do anything about it now), it will come down to your essays and interview.

As I always post on these threads, formulate your answers to these questions (specific to each school)

1)Why an MBA?
2)Why now?
3)Why here?

Why an MBA? Would like to do a slight rebrand and (of course) get an ROI financially.
Why now? Because if I wait any longer, hungry mouths will appear in my home which typically require resources from me.
Why here? Well, that's the part I'm not so sure about. I worry that taking 2 years off would be counter-productive. I don't want to job-hop, miss out on two years of salary, and force my wife to figure something out to do in a small college town if I won't get anything out of it.

NVM clearly a long morning and the brain was not functioning properly

Good luck!

[This message has been edited by mpezll (edited 12/11/2012 10:56a).]

just saw this:

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After lots of consideration, I have decided to go to Rice University. Thanks for the input.

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I think that was a good choice

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And the over 50 k extra is not accurate. It would be an extra 24 k because you have to take into account the extra year at UH. I would think Rice would have way more clout outside of the state.

Personally, I would pick Rice if I were you and could feasibly afford taking on 24k of debt.

Good luck!

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Where do get 24k from? His out of pocket cost for uh was 11k, for rice it was 71k .

You're right I misread that and still did the math wrong

[This message has been edited by mpezll (edited 12/11/2012 10:58a).]

When I am getting ready to choose an MBA program, I'm going to pick a school college football style. Buy a minute spot on the local news channel, set up a folding table with three hats, and announce to the world that I've decided to take my talents to A&M-Kingsville online.

Which program? It depends.

You will have an extraordinarily difficult time changing both industry and career path. Canvass MBAs, and you will find this to be the frustrating truth.

Your choice should be determined by the simple points of cost, location, and time.

Firms hiring MBA's first look at the undergraduate degree then at the work history. If you've been in IT, you will be courted by IT firms, and disregarded by most (if not all) others. If you dream of investment banking, don't. Wharton is the only realistic possibility, and even then it is a struggle to get an interview, let alone a job.

Good luck in whichever choice you make.