Admitted to Columbia Business School: Class of 2013

Thanks cidney; that's very helpful. I'm looking forward to digging in on those links as soon as I can finish up my taxes this afternoon.

I've spent a decent amount of time in NY in the last several months and I've walked around UWS. I'd like to try to find a spot somewhere between the 60's and Columbia. Based on some brief research, it looks to me like up closer to Columbia you could find something around $1,000. I'd be pretty happy if I could score something in that price range.

Thanks, malbec! I didn't notice that

Question to Moss: Have you heard back yet about Kroll? I think we submitted the form at the same time.

My only concern with Kroll is my previous employment history (international). My previous employer was a startup and I doubt they have an official HR file for me. There is a new HR lady there (the old one knew me and could vouch for my employment) but I strongly doubt she knows of my existence...Should I call CBS and give them the old HR lady's contact info? My old boss there also left. I didn't bother informing CBS because the Kroll form only asked for details about current employer. Or should I just wait and see as I am doing now? Any advice would be appreciated!

Thanks cidney; that's very helpful. I'm looking forward to digging in on those links as soon as I can finish up my taxes this afternoon.

I've spent a decent amount of time in NY in the last several months and I've walked around UWS. I'd like to try to find a spot somewhere between the 60's and Columbia. Based on some brief research, it looks to me like up closer to Columbia you could find something around $1,000. I'd be pretty happy if I could score something in that price range.

Hi CPAtoMBA!

CONGRATULATIONS on the full scholarship!! Thats AMAZING! You should be so proud of yourself

As much as I love Columbia, if I were you, I would honestly take the full scholarship and go to NYU. Not having $100k+ in debt is a huge blessing that is hard to pass up. And in reality, when you graduate from bshcool, you are likely to have around $140-$160k in loans (don't forget room and board) which is a huge sum of money that you will be paying off for a good number of years. Think of what you can do with that $100k. Your options are graduating with $40-$60k vs $140-$160k...I think its a no-brainer given that Stern is very highly regarded (top 10 or 15?) and will offer you the same recruiting opportunities as Columbia.

Columbia does have the better brand name but I have friends at both CBS and Stern and was surprised to find out that the exact same companies that recruit at Columbia come to NYU. Exact same companies. Some here will say, oh but it depends what you want to do. However, I really don't think that Stern will put you at any kind of significant disadvantage compared to Columbia in whatever area you choose (at least not enough of a disadvantage to want to take on $100k in debt). In fact, one of the pros of Stern is that they have so many sub-specialities. Again, I am saying this because I have friends at both schools and I am convinced that, apart from CBS' name, they are relatively comparable and they offer similar post-mba career opportunities to their students. Note: all of this is said with the assumption that you are a relatively motivated individual who will put in a moderate amount of effort for recruiting.

Off the top of my head, the advantages that Columbia has over Stern are:
- Brand name/better reputation/ivy league
- Higher ranking (by 5 spots? not major)
- More international student body and better known abroad
- Cheaper housing (Morningside Heights vs Greenwich Village)

I don't know much about Stern Alumni network and thus can't compare it to CBS'. I also don't know many details about the Stern MBA program, only what I hear from my friends there. I do know that they have great facilities and a strong sense of community amongst the students. I would look at employment reports (and find out what companies recruit there, post-mba salaries, how strong is their career center, etc), spend time and socialize with students, look at classes/professors/guest lectures, events/conferences, etc from both school to compare...

Good luck and let us know what you decide!!

And for the record, I am by no means putting down Columbia. Just being practical.

I agree. If I were in your shoes, I would definitely be going to NYU with a full ride $$$$. Congratulations CPAtoMBA, that's incredible!

I'm not sure how it works, but if you really want to go to CBS - maybe you can tell Columbia about the offer and use it as leverage for $$ to narrow the gap.... As I said, I'm not familiar with b-school $ negotiating. But worth a try?

My perception is that NYU has basically the same opportunities on the Finance side, but if you're going for consulting it is much more limited if you are targeting the top 3. Anyone else agree/disagree?

87 placements at M/B/B for the CBS class of 2009 vs. 9 at Stern. See the Poets and Quants article: https://poetsandquants.com/2010/08/16/ne ... ss-school/

I'm not sure that's accurate since Stern only gives a list of companies with 3+ hires so P&Q assumes only 3 hires.