terp06 wrote:
After a nice drive down PCH today, I just can't see myself committing to being a New Yorker :/ Does life really get any better than it is in SoCal?
I'm pretty sure this is close to final, but I may make last minute adjustments in the coming days. I've decided that I will also be absolutely fine if I don't matriculate in Fall of 2009. The economy is not looking pretty and I don't think the Class of 2011 will have anything to be ecstatic about in that regard - especially the finance guys.
October:
HBS R1
Wharton R1
Chicago GSB R1
November:
Tuck R2
December:
Columbia RD
UCLA Anderson R2
Terp,
I'm sorry to hear that you won't be applying to Columbia ED, but I understand that it is a difficult commitment not having visited the school. If I have not expressed enough of Columbia's amazing qualities, I apologize, but I don't want you to walk away thinking the school is all about finance placement and NYC. Some of the concerns that you mentioned were curriculum, alumni network, and a sense of community.
The core curriculum has just been revamped, and the school is really touting how it better prepares students for the hard and soft skills necessary for their summer internships. I think that it is keen awareness on the school's part to recognize the need for more preparation for internships, as opposed to just checking off core courses throughout the 1st year. Here is the website for the core curriculum:
https://www4.gsb.columbia.edu/mba/acade ... curriculumThe CBS alumni network is up there with HBS and Wharton networks as it spans the nation, globe, and some of the best companies around the world. I have already spoken with alumni, and they all have come across as willing to help me whenever I need. In fact, they start off the alumni/student interaction with the interview process; all interviews are conducted by alumni--even if you are in NYC. CBS wants alumni to approve of its incoming class because it affects them and vice-versa.
I have two prime examples of community at CBS. One is the CBS World Tour, and the other is the Peer Advisor Group. The CBS World Tour was organized by a 2010'er, and it was organized for every CBS student who wanted to take part. This one student organized an entire worldwide trip and got students, who he had never met, to sign up for this tour. Currently, they are in Buenos Aires. Furthermore, they set up appointments with alumni around the world to learn about their businesses abroad. That says a lot for community, as well as alumni network!
The Peer Advisors are a group of 2nd years who are there to help the transition for 1st year students. There are so many Peer Advisors, and they are all exceptionally responsive. We have a Yahoo group and a Facebook group, and there is a lot of interaction amongst 1st years, as well as questions for the Peer Advisors. As soon as a question is asked, you can guarantee that a Peer Advisor will quickly respond with helpful advice. Peer Advisors exemplify the supportive Columbia community; everyone wants to help the next person succeed.
I can assure you that what you are looking for can be found at Columbia, and I disagree with Kry that Chicago is better than CBS when it comes to finance. Both are top schools in that field, and neither one has proven that it will get you further than the other in the field of finance. The only thing CBS can guarantee is it will get you geographically closer to the Street.