u/Fantastic-Low-8892

Hi everyone,

I’m an international student deciding between two offers and trying to balance cost vs job opportunities.

Georgetown MiM (Washington, DC)

• Higher cost ($75–80K total)
• Strong location, better networking opportunities

Rochester Simon MSMA

• 65% tuition scholarship
• Much lower cost
• Located in a smaller city with fewer nearby opportunities

My concern:
As an international student, how much does location really impact job opportunities?

Is being in a major hub like DC significantly better for:

• internships
• networking
• full-time job search

Or is it manageable to secure similar outcomes from a smaller city like Rochester with enough effort?

Would really appreciate real experiences, especially regarding job search + visa realities.

Thanks!

Hi everyone,

I’d really appreciate some honest input on a decision I’m currently facing. The reason I posted about MIM at MBA sub is because there are professionals with different perspectives and experiences here who know which might be the better option.

Georgetown University – Master’s in Management (MiM)

• Location: Washington, DC
• Tuition: $64K
• Scholarship: $5K
• Estimated total cost: $75–80K
• Stronger brand + location for consulting/strategy

University of Rochester (Simon) – MS in Marketing Analytics (MSMA)

• 65% tuition scholarship
• Much lower overall cost
• More analytics-focused outcomes (marketing/data roles).

Targeting strategy/consulting or general business roles long-term

My dilemma: Georgetown seems better aligned for consulting/strategy due to location + network, but comes at a ~$30–40K premium.

Simon is financially much safer, but likely leads into analytics roles first, with a less direct path into consulting.

Question:
From a career/ROI perspective, is Georgetown worth the extra cost for someone targeting consulting/strategy, or is Simon the smarter long-term play even if it requires pivoting later?

Would appreciate perspectives from anyone familiar with these programs or similar career paths.

Thanks!

I just got rejected from UC Irvine through email, they took 1 extra month from original decision date provide an admissions update. I don't understand why, my interview went really well, I had high hopes and really thought I would get in, let alone getting waitlisted. I just have 1 school left, and I highly doubt I would get in.