Evaluate an older student returning to school

[AstralTraveller]

Originally Posted by Ancalagon The Black

This is just a sample. I am sure that similar rates exist. Also, the I am not sure but the Kellogg's AIOM program is not similar to the regular IS program. Rather, its just a glorified name given to the Accounting PhD.

I have been asking this for a long time. I am under the impression (comments, anybody?) that what some schools call IS is related to Computers and/or Technology management, whereas in some other places it is simply Accounting by any other (fancier?) name.

Besides, Accounting at some places seems closer to Finance, in others to Information Technologies, and in others it is simply applied IO.

What's in a name, indeed?

[Ancalagon The Black]

Exactly !! Whats in a name? It has probably got to do with the research areas of schools - where they are strong in as opposed to where they are not !!

[desimba]

Originally Posted by Ancalagon The Black

Sure. Whilst CMU Tepper does say the following, you have to remember that Finance usually takes in more students than IS. For instance, take a look at the following link of Stern:

Information, Operations & Management Sciences Department | Academic Programs

"We enroll an average of three students each year out of more than 100 highly qualified applicants. Students enrolling typically have GMATS over 700 or GREs over 1400."

Ergo, Avg(3/100) = 3%

It is instructive to look at the application rate for the very school you mention- NYU-Stern. Please take a look at the statement: "We receive about 300 applications in Finance and enroll 4-6 students per year. In each of the other disciplines we receive 40 to 100 applications and enroll 2 to 4 students per year. " If I take an average of 5 students enrolled relative to 300 applications, that gives me a rate of 5/300 or 1.67% which is less than the corresponding 3% rate you mention for IS. (PhD)

I stick to my earlier statement that in general finance admission rates are among the lowest at business schools and also lower than those of IS programs.

[oldprogrammer]

After reading through this link:
(http://www.aacsb.edu/knowledgeservices/Home/SSExecSummary_05-06.pdf)
posted by espresso in this thread:
(http://www.urch.com/forums/phd-busin...chools-20.html (Has anybody heard back from B-schools?)),

I'm not so sure I would come to the same conclusion that MIS is in a perpetual state of decline. I'll admit there was an obvious decline after 2000, but the current hiring levels and pay are not horrible. Representing about 8% of new hires, it's on equal footing with economics, and is much better than the 2.6% of Operations. And 8% is not much different from the 1996 level of 11%. But it is definitely not as promising as Finance, Accounting, Marketing, or Strategy.

[tkkoh]

Originally Posted by Ancalagon The Black

IS rates higher than other disciplines? Not really. This year Stern took 2 people out of 187. Tepper took 3 people out of 106. TAMU took no one after receiving 80 applications.

I am sure you will do well. Just focus on the apps.

From what I know, (at least) one of the 3 schools mentioned here is not accepting new PhD students in IS for Fall 2009.

[tkkoh]

Originally Posted by oldprogrammer

After reading through this link:
(http://www.aacsb.edu/knowledgeservices/Home/SSExecSummary_05-06.pdf)
posted by espresso in this thread:
(http://www.urch.com/forums/phd-busin...chools-20.html (Has anybody heard back from B-schools?)),

I'm not so sure I would come to the same conclusion that MIS is in a perpetual state of decline. I'll admit there was an obvious decline after 2000, but the current hiring levels and pay are not horrible. Representing about 8% of new hires, it's on equal footing with economics, and is much better than the 2.6% of Operations. And 8% is not much different from the 1996 level of 11%. But it is definitely not as promising as Finance, Accounting, Marketing, or Strategy.

Sadly, the view from the inside is not as optimistic... maybe it depends on which school you are in and where you are hoping to go to. The voices among PhD students and those in the job market from IS powerhouses are pretty grim. I guess these people are aiming to go to another powerhouse, which is not expanding/recruiting and hence dampening the mood.

[oldprogrammer]

Originally Posted by tkkoh

Sadly, the view from the inside is not as optimistic... maybe it depends on which school you are in and where you are hoping to go to. The voices among PhD students and those in the job market from IS powerhouses are pretty grim. I guess these people are aiming to go to another powerhouse, which is not expanding/recruiting and hence dampening the mood.

tkkoh, any chance you can elaborate or point me to the data that helped you form your opinion? I don't doubt you, I'm just trying to be well-informed on the subject.

[westmedia7]

tk (Hello!), I have grilled a few professors about this subject. There is a common recognition of the slow current state of affairs. However, all have also said that they expect the market to move back into a balanced equilibrium by the time this next class gets out.
I sure as heck hope so!

[Ancalagon The Black]

tkkoh:

Point. I will stick to Business Strategy. I just got an internship as Strategic IT intern in a major consulting firm.

I am happy.

[Ancalagon The Black]

oldprogrammer:

The conclusion which I have come to is that the MS programs in MIS are not in a state of decline since companies need experienced IT managers. However, the PhD programs maybe (and I think are) according to reports from students inside those same programs.