Pagalguy873
Hi Guys!!
I have been following this forum for quite some time. I have been accepted to Columbia ED. I am yet to accept the admission offer. I am having difficulty in deciding between Chicago booth, Columbia and Wharton. (I have not yet applied to Booth or Wharton, but thinking about them). I am from industry and would like to make a transition to IB (read bulge bracket ) after my MBA.
What do you guys think- Are Booth and Wharton better programs than Columbia. (The location of the school is not an issue for me, the only factor for me is that where will I have a higher probability of getting a job)
Also I am a bit concerned about the placements in Consulting in Columbia (specially M/B/B). Can you guys also let me know the strength of Columbia Vs Wharton or Booth in Consulting
Regarding prestige what would you guys say- Wharton> Columbia=Booth?
I appreciate the support on this forum. Your feedback will help me to take my decision
I think with respect to what you are seeking, Columbia will easily provide. The companies you are mentioning in consulting regularly recruit at Columbia so in terms of opportunity it shouldn't be an issue. For IB as well, having the Columbia name on your resume is a great advantage and most definitely will get you a 'look' by the recruiters at firms you are applying to. When you compare it to Booth and Wharton, I think Columbia edges them out in terms of the New York advantage but probably gets edged out in terms of campus/community experience, although I won't say by too much. So it's basically your call in that sense.
I don't however see much logic in your decision flow.
1. You applied ED presumably because you felt Columbia was the best place for you to go to - I am not saying you shouldn't think you can't do better (eg: if you got into Columbia and ask yourself could I have made it to Harvard, that's a natural progression - man always thinks bigger after achieving and looks to the more challenging tasks he could accomplish) but this kind of negates your whole thought process on ED and Columbia
2. The fact that you are thinking of whether or not to accept an admit at Columbia or whether you should think of applying to Booth or Wharton is a classic example of a 'Bird in hand is worth two in the bush'. You may gain something more (marginally) by going to either school, but you may end up losing a LOT by not taking the offer you currently have and maybe then not making it to either school
3. Not taking up Columbia's offer goes at lengths to show your lack of honor to your commitments. Of course I am not an adcom member, and even if I were I wouldn't really have much power to do anything to you. neither will anyone from GMATClub despise you and never speak to you again
but it kind of shows how wavering you might be on your decisions and commitments - major red flag for your own future
4. You also seem a bit confused on what you REALLY want to do once you graduate - IB or consulting? You can't have everything (although CBS does give you both
) so you should definitely prioritize. For example, if you are looking at a school REALLY entrenched in consulting offers, why not MIT Sloan? it places almost 33% students in consulting. And is good for finance as well. Another potential suitor for you
A major point NOT in favour of Columbia - Going to B School is a major investment - you are an Indian so the cost is of much, much more importance for you (and me) with the exchange rate. Columbia
DOES NOT give loans to international students without a US co signer.
All in all its your decision - I thought you would already be planning a vacation, but seems you are still planning an application
all the best to you mate in your decision making - do let us know what you choose
cheers!
Ankit
Thanks Aniket for your views. The loan issue is not a problem for me. Secondly I think that I am not wrong in weighing my options before accepting the offer as accepting the offer means that I need to withdraw all my other applications (I intend to stick by the honor code)
However, I would like to hear more views from people on this forum comparing Wharton/Booth/Columbia. I need to be completely convinced before making the final decision
24 Sep 2011, 12:09
