Please help me decide.

Hey everyone,

I’m stuck choosing between Rice ($40k) and Goizueta ($10k) and could really use some honest input. I’m 30 with over 4.5 yow in corporate finance (agriculture). Recently laid off (whole team gone), so I cant really wait another year. Looking to pivot into consulting MBB/T2 or IB (honestly whatever lands me a job and sponsorship).

Applied to: UT, Cornell, Rice, SMU, Goizueta. In at Rice and Goizueta. WL at UT/Cornell (told to improve quant, did MBA Math + retook GRE but didn’t help much) and working on taking the EA. Parents covering ~60%, still a big cost

Where I’m at:

Heart and gut say Rice (lived in Houston, love it)

Rankings say Goizueta

Worried about international outcomes at both, especially Goizueta (smaller intl pool?)

Rice strong for energy, which I’m open to

Main questions:

- What actually happens to internationals who don’t land consulting/IB?

- Which is better for sponsorship in reality? Rice vs Goizueta

- Is consulting still the “safe” path for internationals?

- Any real backup plans people have seen work?

- any tips on pushing Rice for more $?

Feels like I’m seeing the full picture in a big bet like this. TIA