So I am debating between Duke and Georgia Tech. I want to get into a top MBA school after graduating and am not sure which school would place me in a better position to do so. I know Georgia Tech is very rough on GPA, and am scared that would affect my chances of getting into a top grad school. I am not sure what Duke’s grading system is like, but I am thinking that its prestige may help me get into a good graduate school.
Someone please provide input as soon as possible. Thank you so much!
Top MBA programs require a minimum of 2 years of post bachelor’s work experience. That, your GPA and GMAT score will be what counts. STEM majors at Duke tend to trample on your GPA too.
Both will set you up well for a good job, which is very important along with GPA. Unfortunately neither will be kind to your GPA.
At GTech you could pick Industrial Engineering, which does lead to excellent jobs but it a bit kinder on GPA.
I am talking about Industrial engineering at GT and Biology or biomedical engineering at Duke.
@MYOS1634 is Industrial actually kinder on GPA than others???
Yes, it’s a bit easier - but everything is relative. There’s a reason HOPE scholarships recipients at Gtech get an automatic +.5 to their evaluation for keeping the scholarship.
Business schools are not like med schools in their use of GPA. I would not focus on this so much. And at many of the top B schools, the majority of the class has more than 2 years of work experience.
Pick the school you like best.
First you have to get into these schools- then you get to choose!
…the school and the course that you like best!
@“Amberlanya Herwana”, from your many urgent posts it seems that your anxiety is getting the better of you.
In the first place, for now you do not actually have a choice between Duke and UGa at the moment. From your other posts you have GT guaranteed admit, and are planning to apply to Duke, possibly ED. So, this is not an urgent question. If it becomes an actual choice, as the others have said, both are fine for getting into the MBA program of your dreams.
Second, why are you looking at IE in one school and BME at the other? they are really, really different paths.
Third, one point that I haven’t seen mentioned in any of your threads is finances: is that a factor for you? If your plan is to go to a top-tier MBA program you really don’t want debt that requires servicing while you are building up more debt getting an MBA. My guess is that your plan is something like Engineer + MBA = corporate fame & fortune, but there are several years working as a newly minted engineer (including saving up for the MBA), followed by 2 years of unemployment + $100k for the MBA. at which point yes, with a good engineering degree & a brand-name MBA you will (probably) have a high salary- but you will still have the debt as well, and will probably have higher living costs.
So Industrial engineering at GT is the number 1 program ranked and University of Michigan is 2nd. My son’s at Michigan. Easier doesn’t mean easy… And for other engineering disciplines when they take some electives and it’s industrial they have told me it’s some of their hardest courses so do something your interested in Not because you assume it’s easier. My son tells me at Michigan that even the easy classes are hard… Lol. Can’t imagine it’s any different at GT. But he is also gearing towards business with Industrial and many different avenues to achieve it. There is debate if you will even need an MBA with the degree. Both schools are excellent and will challenge you and your grade point. If your expecting to get the same GPA you have now you will be very disappointed. Sure some do it but it’s very hard. Both schools will be much harder then anything your doing now. I look at college being about learning not GPA for the most part. In engineering expect a full grade drop to start with.
Also as stated your disciplines are like polar opposites. Industrial is like business engineering and BME is nothing at all like it. Decide on discipline before choosing school. If you are accepted to GT (how, I am late to the party but the op name is familiar to me), it’s a great school and for engineering you really couldn’t do much better plus they have some great BBQ and pie… So what am I missing?
The primary factors regarding admission to top MBA programs are work experience, statement of purpose, URM status, & one’s GMAT or GRE score. GPA is probably the fourth or fifth most important factor.
Thanks you guys!! @collegemom3717 finances aren’t the biggest factor, however Georgia Tech is just 30 mins away from home so it may be more convenient in that way. Plus I would get in state tuition. I just wanted to know whether Duke really offers much more…whether its worth giving up Tech for that or not.
I know I havent even gotten in but im trying to decide whether to do ED or not.
Why not look at other universities with IE? But I would not skip GTech - best program in the country at instate (HOPE!) Costs… It’ll be the one to beat!
So, it’ll be on differentiators: class size, non weedout culture…
Run the NPC on a few private universities such as Rice, Cornell, WPI, RPI and check out what they offer.
I think a degree in IE from a top school is likely to lead to good jobs and make an MBA in necessary w unless it becomes something you’re interested in.
Do you prefer Industrial over biomedical E? If so, can you clarify why you are looking at Duke rather than other IE schools?
I thought Duke had a great campus and environment and because it is prestigious it would lead me to success. That is why I am considering it.
^^^ @jym626
What is to debate now?
Apply to both. Decide later if you get in.
Last year, Duke had an admit rate around 8%. GT around 19%.
Georgia Tech considers state of residence (unlike UGA). If you are a Georgia resident, then Georgia Tech should be your primary target school.
@collegemom3717 - G Tech auto admits are only for GA Val’s and sals. OP - are you a Val or sal?
“…because it is prestigious it would lead me to success.” Just adding, top private holistic colleges are sensitive to being told this is about them increasing post college job opps.
It may be what many kids think. But not a solid Why Us answer.