Expert: Dr. Joseph de Beauchamp - 8/18/2006

Question
Hello,
I am about to be a sophomore at Florida State University and I am planning on getting my MBA.  I have the grades and test scores such that I can go to the college of my choice however my parents and I are poor therefore we are limited to my statewide scholarship.  My question is: Does it matter if I get my 4yr in business from FSU and then get my MBA from a higher ranked school (say Florida, or Georgia Tech) or would it be best for me to transfer ASAP to Florida?  Meaning I want to go to a school atleast ranked in the top 50 for business (assuming that helps in finding a job).  I am very smart however could never afford to go anywhere out of state except for the Graduate school portion.  Should I stay? Will it change anything? FSU isn't ranked but Florida is.. so should I transfer now? I guess the main question is... would getting my MBA from a higher ranked school not matter if i still went to FSU for the 4yr.. and if so should I go to the higher ranked school now? Im sure that's fairly confusing.. but any help is VERY much appreciated.  Thank You.
-Robert

Answer
Where you get an MBA does not matter at all. It is more how you can expess the benefit to the employer. Some employers are not even interested in degrees, they just want to understand how you make money for them.

I have been a professor of 5 universities and from BS to PhD levels. I am also an executive recruiter for CDI, the largest executive recruiter firm in the world. I have not found in 32 years the benefit of a top ranked school, but what you should prepare for is more experience, and get yourself an executive recruiter.

Dr. Joseph deBeauchamp
joedebo@mriseattle.com
206-328-0936 #218