Ask mbaMission

I am looking at a bunch of different types of programs. Mostly the top 10-15 schools.

I have gotten the feeling that there is broad differentiation at these schools. The culture, how they grade work, how many hours a week, It all changes...program by program. How much travel, how many weeks, etc.

But the one common thing was with the amount of declining applications coming in each year. It seemed that each of the top EMBA schools has been through a rough 2008 and 2009. Less so for big city schools (Chicago, New York, Philadelphia, Boston, etc)....but where as small markets got beat up pretty bad.

Lesson to learn here: fill your list with small-market reach schools.

Check out this list:
10. Duke/Fuqua
11. UNC/Kenan-Flagler
7. Michigan/Ross
15. Ohio State/Fischer

Agree? See my "Rivalry Strategy" here?

SoCalMBA,
Without knowing more about you, your goals, your ability to travel, etc., I really cannot comment. If you think you are best served by applying to smaller programs in mid-tier cities, by all means, do so.
Best of luck to you,
Jennifer