Calling Columbia applicants for 2008

re: your decision -- out of curiousity, why did you make your choice? i think i may have done the same (hopefully i will have that problem in R2!!). "

Wharton vs Columbia had been the most difficult choice i had to made. I am looking for a strong finance program, so choices are Wharton, Columbia and Chicago. My reasons for choosing Columbia comes to the following:
1. Personal fit. I always enjoy talking to Columbia students and alumni. There is a strong sense of community, and the learning environment is much more collaborative. I admire the student's brilliant mindsets and humble attitudes. My experience and many employers' reviews seem to suggest that Wharton students are very smart, but also cut throat competitive. I find the "Wharton attitudes" a bit unnecessary.

2. I think some of the rankings are underestimating the advantage of CBS's location in NYC. Yes most grads from Wharton end up working in NYC anyway, but at CBS, the inflow of special speakers from wall street and the opportunities of doing part of your business school studies with real cases from new york firms is invaluable. Not to mention what a better life you get living in NYC for two years!

3. School's reputation so abstract that it mostly depends on which parameter you are looking at. Yes people argue W/H/S, M7, top10 to death on these discussion boards, but you can also look at it this way. Wharton being the oldest business school it has a strong reputation in the US business world, but many people outside of US never ever heard of it. Given my wide range of global experience in Asia, Canada and europe, I think, internationally, columbia is second to Harvard, amongst the Ivy leagues, who does a good job incorporating the name power of the university, to a solid, well-reputable school of business.

4. Any top 10 school will give you a good chance to where you want to be, however your ultimate success still comes to your personal strengths. I don't think a few spot differences in the rankings between Wharton and columbia make a huge difference in your future, go where you like to spend your two years, and where you like the people best.

Good luck on your applications.