Research MBA Programs

Hey everyone,

I have been accepted to Kellogg(MMM) and Ross(2Y MBA) programs and am having trouble deciding which school to attend. My goal is to move back to the West Coast after graduation and the following (in order of priority):
1. Entrepreneurship (For-profit, social enterprise, sustainability... anything really but as an entrepreneur)
2. Product Development in Technology (Google, Amazon, IDEO, etc.)
3. Strategy Consulting (MBB)

Here are the main things I want from business school and how I feel each school compares currently:
Entrepreneurship Focus (Resources, funding, mentoring, etc.)
Kellogg: Chicago is a big city so has resources that Ann Arbor may not but school isn't specifically known for entrepreneurship, based on some of my research
Ross: Ann Arbor has many resources (incubators, etc.) for entrepreneurs and Ross provides good mentoring but this is still a smaller city, compared to other big cities with more VC/PE funding, per my knowledge.
Ross wins here...

Backup Plan: Product Development role for Technology (think Google, Amazon, Ideo, etc.)
Kellogg: Kellogg's MMM program is really well known for design and innovation and many grads continue to product development roles but not as many in entrepreneurship.
Ross: Michigan has great placements at west coast technology companies and a fantastic alumni network out west.
Kellogg wins here...

Strong Social Climate/Campus Culture -- Sports clubs, party atmosphere, "foodie"-culture, etc.
Kellogg: I really like the "poshness" of Evanston and the social bunch of people at Kellogg. However, I fear that the proximity to Chicago will create a weaker sense of bonding between the MBAs. Evanston also doesn't seem to have as many diverse options for food, partying, sports culture.
Ross: Ross students tend to hang out very closely because it's a small college town. Also, Ann Arbor seems to have better foodie cultural elements and a much stronger football scene/partying scene than Evanston.
Can't decide who wins here...

International Trips/Exposure -- I want to use these two years to explore different areas.
Kellogg: Kellogg has KWEST but I'm not aware of any other international opportunities.
Ross: Ross has a pre-term partying trip (similar to KWEST, IIRC) and also has MAP where you can travel internationally.
Can't decide who wins here...

The one thing I can't seem to get out of my head (applicant mentality...) is that Kellogg is significantly higher ranked than Michigan and I'm not how much (if any) that would/can matter. Hope former/current MBAs can help with this question as well.

Any help, advice, or corrections for the above would be appreciated. Thanks for all your help!

Did you ever receive any advice on this? I am in a similar position looking at a lot of the same factors you are (culture of the student body, entrepreneurship (although short term focus is CPG, international opps). Would love to hear you ended up making your decision!

Don't focus on rank so much (you're still taking about very good schools), and think instead about where you might want to live and work once you graduate. I always tell my clients that if you see yourself working on the East Coast, then go to an East Coast school, and vice-versa. The networks will be stronger in these areas, as will the opportunities...though, of course, if you go to a top program you can get a job in any city you like, it will simply be EASIER in my opinion to attend school and then work in the same general geographic region.

Hopes this helps!
Jillian
MBA Ivy League
www.MBAIvyLeague.com