<p>Besides overall ranking, what is the fundamental difference between these two great programs? I've heard that if you're looking a full-time employment in LA, Marshall students have the advantage of seeking employment regionally speaking and vice versa. Any thoughts or opinions are encouraged.</p>
<p>Well, regarding logistics and it's effect on employment I'd no doubt apply to Haas. Also, it depends what your career paths are. San Francisco has the second largest (following NY) Banker community. LA also has a banker community but it's relativley smaller than that of SF - I believe LA bankers are mostly into Technology and Gaming industries.</p>
<p>Basically, if you're fine looking for a job in the LA area then Marshall is an excellent choice because of its connections. However, if you're looking for a job elsewhere (especially in San Francisco), the household name of Haas is the way to go.</p>
<p>What about in terms of the program itself then? I've heard that in terms of technical aspect Haas is greater. I have a few friends at Haas and one from LA saying that they had a difficult time choosing between Haas and Marshall and chose Haas in the end for various reasons such as the name-game. What I've been told Marshall's grading curve isn't as irksome as it at Haas. What I'm wanting to say is I've been told that the competition at Marshall isn't as challenging and you're somewhat spoon-fed.</p>
<p>There's no doubt Haas is cutthroat, but I don't think Marshall is a cake ride in comparison. The bottom line is that both schools are obviously very good for business, but one program is not going to be significantly tougher than the other.</p>
<p>I'm currently at Cal and have been also considering both programs for graduate school. I turned down the joint-USC undergraduate-MBA program to go to Berkeley. Academically, I would say Haas is definitely harder but I don't think that really matters. Your GPA matters somewhat coming out of MBA schools but the real focus is on your previous employment. If you did crappy at your job before MBA school then having a 3.8 coming out of any program won't matter. Further, as a Cal student from LA, if you want to work in SF, then for sure go to Haas and if you want to work in LA, then Marshall. They are both very regionally oriented, as Russkiy_Bear noted. Especially at Haas, trying to get a job in SoCal from Haas is almost near impossible. While there might be some hand holding at Marshall, I would have to say Cal does not give a s*** about you. You have to do everything on your own and you often are suspicious of the school working against you. You think they would help, not at all. I do definitely wish even if there wasn't hand holding, there would be at least guidance and not barricades.</p>
<p>bchbabe,</p>
<p>Are you enrolled in Haas's MBA program?</p>
<p>No I'm an undergraduate at Berkeley. I applied to the USC Undergrad-MBA program as a high school senior and got a merit-based full ride. I turned it down because I needed a break from LA and I really wasn't sure if I wanted to go into business. I have done my fair share of research on MBA programs in California.</p>
<p>Are you currently @ Haas? What is your major?</p>