NYU Stern ($$$$) vs Tuck ($)

I want to go in management consulting and be in New York in long term as well as near-term. At the same time, being a part of a prestigious university and the entire experience of a college town also appeals me.. But the factor is I have got full scholarship from Stern for first year! I think that might weigh more. Your takes?

How set are you on consulting? From my research, it appears easier to break into MBB from Tuck than Stern. Then again, Stern doesn't release very detailed employment reports, so it's very hard to tell.

I am currently in I.T consulting and looking for good opportunities in management consulting post MBA. I believe both have good presence in consulting field. But even I concur that Tuck ranks out better. But is that substantial w.r.t the monetary advantage that I would get at Stern?

I don't think anybody can tell you that. I'd suggest reaching out to the consulting clubs at each school. Perhaps they will share with you (if they know) what percentage of MBB applicants got first-round interviews. After all, once you're in the interview, no one will care where you went to school.

In the case in which top MC recruits at both schools, the ability of landing a job at the top MC is on the candidate. I would take NYU's money and not look back.

Don't quote me on this, but I think MBB at Tuck recruits mainly for Boston office. With that said, its quite possible to get a NYC office offer.

If I was in your situation, I would pick the $$$$.

Thanks for this insight. I would definitely want to see my future in NYC.

Tuck is very strong in management consulting. NYU is good as well but not as good as Tuck. I heard that Stern is not a core school for Bain (But many students at Stern can still get offers).

Go to Stern. If you see yourself in NYC in the short- as well as long-term, then it's a no-brainer with the $$$$. Tuck is a great school as well, but I do believe that being in NYC would be of an advantage.

I disagree with this.


I agree with this.

I also think Tuck's college town experience would be unique even though I would miss the hustle bustle of New York.
I have contacted some students at both these colleges and would get some more data points about careers in management consulting in New York post MBA

There is much more to the world of consulting than MBB. Most people (regardless of school) who want to get into consulting do not go to MBB (especially for their internship). I understand that those are the top 3 firms, but sometimes I get the impression that people think they are the only 3 firms and that it's a given that if they recruit for consulting that's where they will end up. It's an unrealistic expectation that gets perpetuated by conversations like these.

OP, look at the full range of consulting companies recruiting at these schools (both on campus and off campus). Talk to students who recruited for consulting internships at both schools. That will give you a better idea of how likely it would be to make the career switch from either school. Also understand going in that there are many more positions available for full-time consulting jobs than for summer internships. Best of luck with your decision.

I completely agree. The only reason I mention MBB specifically is that most aspiring consultants seem to want jobs with those firms.

Again, the real difference at either of these schools in terms of your outcome is how likely you are to get that first interview in consulting. So, to cheeterah's point, definitely reach out to people at both schools who have gone through the process to see how they fared. Good luck!

Saya,

I am in the exact same predicament as you (live in NYC, got scholarship $$, accepted to Tuck), except I am planning to lever a stint in management consulting into a middle-market private equity role long-term. My fiancee works as a recruiter at one of the MBB, and I can assure you that Tuck > Stern when it comes to top-tier management consulting and frankly I don't think its very close. Stern is definitely not a tier-1 school when it comes to MBB recruiting, but people do get placed there. Your probability getting placed is most likely higher at Tuck, although you do have to factor in mix (i.e. there are most likely more people at Tuck aiming for MC than at Stern). If the goal is purely to break into MBB, than I personally think Tuck is the choice.

I have also kind of made my choice now to go for Tuck. Just waiting on how much financial aid I receive from Tuck! since I am an international student, the finance also matters especially when no private bank in this country wants to loan out w/o a US cosigner...

What did you finally decide? Stern or Tuck?

True that mb/b/b aren't the only firms, but its certainly a good indicator of a schools consulting strength. If a school places well with m/b/b then they will likely place well with any consulting firm. It's a good relative measure for those interested in consulting and deciding between top tier schools.