Know-How Exchange : Student Questions

Hi!

I'm a current student at MS Marketing Program at Simon GSB, University of Rochester. Before joining the program even I had the same question in my mind & researched the topic thoroughly. I finally zeroed in on the Simon. Here are a few visible points that you'd like to consider:

1) Simon has more value for money than the IMC.
2) Simon is philanthropic with its scholarships.
3) The program at Simon is of shorter duration (11-12 months as compared to 15 months IMC). Therefore, it has less opportunity cost associated with it.

Now consider these invisible points which I know because of an insider at Simon. There might be many positive points about IMC but I can only tell you about the Simon at this point:

1) Simon is primarily known for its numbers (Economics & Finance). They are leaders in teaching "Quantitative Marketing". What I found at other schools was that they teach this subject psychologically & cognitively. But Simon teaches it quantitatively.

2) Simon allows its MS students to network with MBA alumni network & MS MBA is like a single community with no distinction. Medill is a different school than Kelloggs & the IMC & MBA are two different programs & I doubt that there is a network integration.

3) At Simon MS students work in tandem with MBA students to organize & participate in various marketing case competitions open otherwise only to the MBA students.

4) Many of our classes are organized with MBA students.

5) Simon has a very experienced faculty that is very well connected to the industry. One of our professors, Prof. Cook joined Simon after a 35 year stint with Xerox.

5) The Marketing Club organizes industry visits every year. Last major one was at Hersheys.

6) Simon has a very successful Mentors program wherein every student is teamed up with an alum depending on the students industry/function preferences. We have mentors from CPG industry, Automobile sector, technology marketing field etc.

7) I had seen various specializations at IMC but I was very much impressed with Simon's specialization in Pricing which no other school offered. At Simon we also have a specialization in Brand Management, Advertising etc. but we've a special tie-up with Professional Pricing Society, which offers a certificate called Certified Pricing Professional. Our association with Deloitte consulting means that we network with Deloitte Pricing Consultants, we have lectures from them & we have access to their resources.

8) Within 5 years after the commencement of your MS, if at any point of time you feel that you need an MBA, you'll be admitted to the prestigious MBA program & you can complete the 2 year MBA in just 1 year because of the virtue of your MS degree from Simon.

I hope this information will help you in making an informed decision. I'm open to any more discussions you'd like to have. All the best.