UMass Amherst vs. Texas A&M Commerce vs. Univeristy of Houston Victoria, vs. CSU DH

Hi everyone! This is my first posting so thanks in advance for all the help!
At this point I have:

1) 5 years experience, currently working in the interactive marketing field.
2) I am interested in possibly pursuing a career in management consulting post MBA graduation
3) Company will not sponsor tuition costs, so I will be paying for it all
4) I don't have a very high GPA, but I did ok on the GMATS and have a B.S. in Marketing

These are the schools I have been accepted to :
1. Umass Amherst (Isenberg)
2. Texas A&M-Commerce
3. UMass Lowell
4. University of Houston, Victoria
5. California State University, Dominguez Hills

My Questions are:
1. Which school has the best name recognition?
2. Is it better to focus on a school with a major?
3. I live in New York City, and will be for the foresee-able future.

Note:
Texas A&M Commerce and UHV Victoria both told me they would give me partial credit for some of my undergrad business courses so I wouldn't have to retake all the prereqs.

 

I can't comment on which school has the best name recognition, but it seems like CSUDH isn't AACSB accredited, which as I understand it is very important in the MBA world, so that may shorten your list a bit.

 

Umass Amherst (Isenberg) is tier 2 school as well as in the Northeast region. Therefore it is better any other school in your list. Since you live in New York City, why's not Fordham University, RPI, SUNY Buffalo, or Syracause University?

 

CSUDH has prerecquisites which, if you don't have, will add cost and time to your pursuit of an MBA.

I would pick the MBA which has the bet courses to suit your anticipated career needs. I always hate taking mandatory courses that I have little interest in.

If I were looking for an online MBA my candidate schools would include Penn State http://www.worldcampus.psu.edu/iMBA.shtml

 

If you're serious about using your MBA to change careers, consider doing a full-time on-campus program. You will have the opportunity to do a summer internship in your new field, and you will have better access to jobs and recruiters through your school's career services office. It is possible to change fields with a DL MBA, but it is a much tougher row to hoe, and if you are not already a standout candidate pre-MBA, you may find it rough going. Get into the best school that will take you, and work hard to land the best internship possible. Good luck!