SMU Executive MBA program - thoughts? (Dallas, Wharton: how much, house, schools)

[EDS_]

Anyone done it, doing it or thinking about it?

General thoughts or impressions would be appreciated.

Thx


ETA - I know it's extremely expensive.

[TXNGL]

Originally Posted by EDS_

Anyone done it, doing it or thinking about it?

General thoughts or impressions would be appreciated.

Thx


ETA - I know it's extremely expensive.

Never, ever, thought of it. But first thought is CONTACTS. I swear SMU contacts are incredible if anyone is planning on working in Dallas. YMMV.

[TurtleCreek80]

A former boss did the program about 8 years ago. He was an extremely sharp guy and absolutely loved it. He was very impressed with his classmates- not only learning a lot about different industries, but being challenged to think and question in different ways than our company's "culture." He also really enjoyed the China trip and the other abroad trip as his role in our company didn't have any international exposure.

Just one person- but he left our company not long after finishing and is now a C-suiter at an industry leading company on the East Coast. Although expanding one's network is a huge benefit to a mid-career MBA, I don't think that SMU connections landed him the big job at the new company, but rather I think he developed into a C-suiter because of the SMU program.

Oh yeah, and he studied. A LOT. Every Fri/Sat/Sun he was in class or with his study group. Even on the non-class weeks. And it's pretty social; lots of drinking, even while studying. I think it might be challenging to balance a family and the Executive MBA or help a spouse understand the necessity of drinking & studying at the Barley House every weekend, but it's just for 2 years.

[EDS_]

Originally Posted by TurtleCreek80

A former boss did the program about 8 years ago. He was an extremely sharp guy and absolutely loved it. He was very impressed with his classmates- not only learning a lot about different industries, but being challenged to think and question in different ways than our company's "culture." He also really enjoyed the China trip and the other abroad trip as his role in our company didn't have any international exposure.

Just one person- but he left our company not long after finishing and is now a C-suiter at an industry leading company on the East Coast. Although expanding one's network is a huge benefit to a mid-career MBA, I don't think that SMU connections landed him the big job at the new company, but rather I think he developed into a C-suiter because of the SMU program.

Oh yeah, and he studied. A LOT. Every Fri/Sat/Sun he was in class or with his study group. Even on the non-class weeks. And it's pretty social; lots of drinking, even while studying. I think it might be challenging to balance a family and the Executive MBA or help a spouse understand the necessity of drinking & studying at the Barley House every weekend, but it's just for 2 years.

My wife is thinking about the program. She's already a CIO with no intentions/desires to be a CEO. So there is limited upward career track utility that the degree might bring. She is interested in one day moving over to a non-profit and you know how much they love extra letters. Our youngest will be gone next fall as well.

[TX75007]

SMU MBA here. Wife went to UTD.

Very solid program at both schools.

You will learn a lot and meet a lot of interesting people.

If you want the c-level or the rung just below, then you will need an MBA, not just for the contacts and sheepskin, but for the knowledge as well.

[EDS_]

Originally Posted by TX75007

SMU MBA here. Wife went to UTD.

Very solid program at both schools.

You will learn a lot and meet a lot of interesting people.

If you want the c-level or the rung just below, then you will need an MBA, not just for the contacts and sheepskin, but for the knowledge as well.

Well, my wife has been a CIO for ten years without an MBA. But she wants one anyway.

[HockDad]

Friend of mine has an MBA from a well known school, but maybe a top 40 program. He is in a small group of contenders to be a CEO of a company in Dallas that everyone knows. I asked him if he wished that he would have gone to SMU or TCU based on the connections, etc. He said absolutely not. He wishes he would have just taken time off of work and gone to Wharton, Stanford, etc. He felt like not having the best possible school behind his name was a minor strike in his bid to keep advancing. Please keep in mind, there are numerous factors that will determine whether he gets to be CEO, and by no means is he saying that this is determinative, just a small factor. The other couple of people have nice schools on their resumes.

[roseball123]

Originally Posted by EDS_

My wife is thinking about the program. She's already a CIO with no intentions/desires to be a CEO. So there is limited upward career track utility that the degree might bring. She is interested in one day moving over to a non-profit and you know how much they love extra letters. Our youngest will be gone next fall as well.

Based on your post, if there is no desire for career progression, I would go with the cheapest program......:-)...Honestly, I don't think the university makes a difference (SMU vs UTD vs UD) if there is no desire to move up the ladder.

[EDS_]

Originally Posted by HockDad

Friend of mine has an MBA from a well known school, but maybe a top 40 program. He is in a small group of contenders to be a CEO of a company in Dallas that everyone knows. I asked him if he wished that he would have gone to SMU or TCU based on the connections, etc. He said absolutely not. He wishes he would have just taken time off of work and gone to Wharton, Stanford, etc. He felt like not having the best possible school behind his name was a minor strike in his bid to keep advancing. Please keep in mind, there are numerous factors that will determine whether he gets to be CEO, and by no means is he saying that this is determinative, just a small factor. The other couple of people have nice schools on their resumes.

Bloomberg rates SMU's Executive MBA at #3 in the world above Wharton or Stanford (not even sure Stanford has an EMBA). My wife has 25+ years of serious mostly high level business and IT experience, a regular MBA from anywhere would be a near-total waste of time.

ETA - forgot to say good luck to your friend.

[EDS_]

Originally Posted by roseball123

Based on your post, if there is no desire for career progression, I would go with the cheapest program......:-)...Honestly, I don't think the university makes a difference (SMU vs UTD vs UD) if there is no desire to move up the ladder.

My wife does not think like that. SMU's is supposed to be the most demanding and have the best cadre of students. She's an all or nothing personality.

What she's really after is the chance to rub elbows with non IT types in efforts to lean more about how others think.