[Program Fitting]Some second tier schools

http://forums.businessweek.com/n/pfx/forum.aspx?msg=74393.1&nav=messages&webtag=bw-bschools
Q:
those of you looking towards II tier schools I want some info about UIUC, Wisconsin-Madison, OSU-Fisher, BU-SOM, Babson, Rice, Iowa-Tippie. My target is general management, technology management and from that management consultancy. How good are the prospects out there? My estimation about UIUC has been very high - the teaching quality is superb with heavy research on management science and the strong engineering department would be ideal for entrepreneurs.

A:
Some schools here are 3rd-tier. But all these schools have totally different positioning and program design.

UIUC is great at accounting, improved in the well-roundedness of finance, marketing and operation. Its fundamentals in 1st-yr is really tailored to prepare a critical-thinking manager step by step. General Management is multidisciplinary while fucus on soft human skills and decision process. Have good IT focus.

Fisher is a great marketing and logistics school that plugs in the whole value chain, from market side to operation side. Finance is good.

Madison is more academic-oriented with lots and lots of research centers. The curriculum is quite similar to that of BU that focues more on fundamental disciplines, a better fit for entry-level learnings. ASAP program for stock analysis is more dynamic, Operation is pretty detailed and HR focus is a big specialty.

Babson is specifically for entrepreneurs and intrapreneurs. The program is overwhelming that so dynamic and realistic for real entrepreneurs and simply provides you everything you need for literally any field of small to medium business.

BU SOM is quite a general management program, broad and fundamental, have technology involvement but not deep. Put lots of energy on managerial communications.

Rice is more a management consulting program that particular good at strategic consulting and energy industry. Marketing is good.

IOWA is a pretty balanced general management program, a bit academical but still practical. Marketing, finance, and service operation are good.


BTW,
UMN Carlson is a great general management school in 2nd-tier.
The curriculum is very balanced just like Wharton.