Rochester / Simon - 03-16-2019 | Clear Admit DecisionWire

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Sim

March 16, 2019 1:00am ET

Enrolled: Rochester / Simon

Admitted: Duke / Fuqua $ , Rochester / Simon $ , UCLA Anderson $ , USC / Marshall $

Applied: Arizona State / W.P. Carey, Duke / Fuqua, Rochester / Simon, UCI Merage, UCLA Anderson, USC / Marshall

Entering Year: 2019

Post MBA Career: Technology, Private Equity

Location: Emerging Market

Notes:

The STEM designated MBA options at Simon & Duke are huge for an international student as it basically provides a pathway to citizenship (3 years OPT). Similar jobs pay 3 to 4 times more in the US compared to my home country. I honestly love all 4 schools. Duke was initially my top choice, but Simon is really special too! Withdrew from ASU & UCI.

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Show Comments (9) Last: April 24, 2019

alexbr4 Verified User. Likes Earned: 1695 Well done! Curious what put Simon ahead of Duke, for you? (0)

anon42906 Likes Earned: 0 OP: Initially I just based my decisions on rankings. However, Simon's staff, admissions process, current students, and alumni were really amazing. I'm quite puzzled by their lower ranking to be honest. Duke was great too, but it came down to $. Total cost of attendance at Duke is $200k compared to Simon's $140k. Minus my scholarships Simon will only cost me $20k compared to $160k at Duke. If Duke offered me more it would've been a tough call. Overall I am super grateful for all the admissions and scholarship money that I've been offered. I am overwhelmed by how kind and generous the schools have been. The opportunity to go to the US is life changing. (0)

alexbr4 Verified User. Likes Earned: 1695 Congratulations! Where are you coming from? (0)

grichmond Verified User. Likes Earned: 1310 I agree that the STEM designation is a major plus for international students looking to earn $ in the USA post-MBA; e.g. primarily those int'ls from the developing world. With that said, what is about Simon that places them ahead of Duke for you? Is it the scholarship money? Does it have to do with the way the coursework is structured at Fuqua when it comes to getting the STEM qualified version of the degree? Best of luck to you!
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anon42906 Likes Earned: 0 OP: Thanks for the feedback. I'm from Africa. Scholarship money was the deciding factor between Duke and Simon. I have no problem with the way the coursework is structured at Fuqua. In fact, I actually really like the MSTeM certificate so that would've been my preferred concentration at Duke regardless of the STEM designation. (0)

anon12901 Likes Earned: 5 Congrats on a great problem to have! I want to make sure you are aware of employment outcomes of the three schools are are passing up (especially Duke/UCLA). If you've done your homework and feel comfortable with your choice, great and best of luck! (0)

anon42906 Likes Earned: 0 OP: I definitely looked into the opportunities. I would've chosen Simon over USC or UCLA regardless of $. A school's US network becomes irrelevant if you have to move back to your home country after 1 year where their network is small or nonexistent. And as we all know getting an H1B isn't that easy anymore, so why risk it? I'm very comfortable that Simon is perfect for me in terms of fit and career opportunities. The students there land great internships and jobs, and the environment and staff are amazing! (0)

anon93897 Likes Earned: 14 My fellow African, I besiege thee to really think critically about your decision. All the best. (0)

anon12914 Likes Earned: 0 Simon has a great program. With all the factors you mentioned, I believe you made an excellent choice. (0)