Choosing between Wharton/Booth/Kellogg

Question

(re-posting here since I realized this section exists - from Wharton thread originally - please vote above)

Hey guys

As the dust has settled, I myself with admission offers from three schools: Wharton, Booth and Kellogg, and am very grateful to be in this position. However, the decision is complicated by the fact that I was really hoping for some $$$ not having much in savings and the fact that the max loan I can get from these schools will be 80% of 200k, so still need 40k in cash (and not including other expenses which obviously accrue over time). (btw, 80% is the limit if one is not a US citizen or permanent resident)

First of all, if the goal is to work in investment management or PE/HF, which school(s) would you guys pick (assume being agnostic about location or culture)

Secondly, is there anything I can do to convince these schools to give me some scholarship money? Even 20k would make a huge difference in my ability to attend business school. Does anyone here have experience in or has heard of others that has negotiated some $ from any of these schools?

Thanks everyone - really appreciate any information you can provide

revul · Answer

From a career standpoint it's really down to Booth vs. Wharton for IM work. While the big shops will take you from either one, smaller boutiques will tend to look locally so you might have to not be agnostic re: location.

From a student lifestyle perspective I don't know much about Wharton at all but Booth has an reputation to be "algo guys" vs. Kellogg which is more social. I'm sure you'll find your type of people at either but those at Kellogg are stereotypically more outgoing and personable/fun.

BazingAu · Answer

I find this very odd. Location and culture are two huge reasons to choose between schools that are similarly ranked. What other factors are you asking us to look at? Are you talking about reputation alone? And if that's the case, you should be turning to the ranking magazines and listings.

aapplicant · Answer

Thanks for replying - sorry for not being clear. I wrote this because I am the kind of person that can fit in most places (speaking from personal and professional experience) and tend to get along with prob 90% of people I meet so fit is not a big concern unless I have the statistical misfortune of ending up at a school that is 100% composed of the 10% people I dont get along with. And location because not being from the US or having any family here other than my brother who himself is applying to PhD programs really dont care where I go - I am mostly trying to understand which between the three positions one best for a career in investing/IM/HF overall

mgg234 · Answer

The culture between Booth and Kellogg is widely difference, and it is unlikely you'd like both equally.

Booth is mostly individualist finance/quanty guys who chose Booth for it's academic quality. People at Kellogg are super collaborative marketing/consulting types of people who chose Kellogg because its fun. Booth is in the big city, Kellogg is a small walkable college town.

This causes the schools to be populated by VERY different people (which became apparent at some closed-list MBB consulting dinners I attended that were a mix of Booth and Kellogg). Wharton is similar to Booth.

wmay · Answer

Wharton definitely

reiding · Answer

For IM/PE/HF, you should definitely go with either Wharton or Booth, not Kellogg. Wharton has a VERY strong brand in the finance field. Booth also has a good brand because it is known for being very analytical/quantitative. Also from what I have heard, Booth's classes get very technical so if you are also looking to actually build up skills in the area, I think Booth would be great. I would also suggest looking up some of the firms you want to join (on LinkedIn or websites) and see where the employees went to undergrad/b-school because when it comes to recruiting for IM/PE/HF, connections are important.

Choosing between Wharton/Booth/Kellogg

Which school should I pick

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