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05 Jan 2020, 02:13
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(I had a similar post a while ago but multiple things changed since then)
Hi all,
I am currently in the final stages of deciding which MBA offer I want to accept and would love to hear your opinion as I am still quite undecided.
Context
- McKinsey consultant (3 years) from Germany
- Will finance MBA on my own (personal funds and tax deductions)
- Want to leverage MBA to move to US (strong preference for California), so staying in the US after graduation using OPT STEM or H1B
- Potentially go back to Europe at some point in my career, but aim to live in California in the near future (next 5-10 years)
- Aim to work in Tech (think FAANG, Spotify, potentially VC) afterwards, 90% set on this
Option 1: Berkeley Haas (no scholarship)
- Great cultural fit, love the people there, will allow me to already have a significant social network when staying in California afterwards
- Top school for tech in California (along GSB), will allow me for great placement for internship + post-graduation employment
- Amazing location and more laid-back program (less pressure than at Wharton) - will have a nicer, more relaxed time there overall, which will allow me to focus on other things important to me (e.g. founding a startup)
Option 2: Wharton (no scholarship)
- Very strong brand overall, especially outside US in case I return to Europe some day
- As it is one of the "elite programs", probably even smarter peers and professors - will potentially benefit me in the long term when it comes to getting funding / becoming CEO etc. due to the brand name
- While Wharton seems to be academically intense (which I am not to keen on, because I finally want to enjoy those final 2 years of studying), I like that it is focused around data (I have always been analytically inclined)
- I am not to keen to go to the East Coast and Philadelphia for the MBA, so this is a strong disadvantage for me - however, still possible to spend a semester at the SF campus
- I know that in absolute terms quite a lot of Wharton grads go to West Coast, but I think it's going to be hard to have a strong social network there post-graduation (likely low overlap between people who go to West Coast + friends I make at Wharton) compared to Berkeley
General thoughts:
- Given I already have multiple MBB consultancies, investment banks etc. in my resume, brand name does not matter as much to me as it might matter to others
- I think both schools will finally enable me to get good placement in tech in California
- Berkeley likely has a better culture and friendlier people, but I think that both programs will allow me to have a good time during the two years
- Apparently both Berkeley (overall program) and Wharton (if I take Business Analytics major) have the OPT STEM accreditation which would guarantee me 5 years in US (2 yr MBA + 1 year OPT + 2 year extension) as alternative to an H1B visa
Summary:
- My heart says Haas - I think I will have an amazing time there, make friends there who might be the base of my future life in California, get great placement in Tech
- However, Wharton will also be a good time, will also bring me to Cali afterwards if I want to, will be the better brand which might have benefits in the long term
- My general view on life is that I want to prioritize things that make me happy vs. things that impress others (I am done with this after all the McKinsey etc. time). What I want to do is have a happy life and go to California - and Berkeley enables me to do that right away (Wharton with a 2 year delay)
Given all this background, would be amazing to hear your thoughts! Am I crazy to go to Berkeley with a Wharton offer? Or is it reasonable given my background and goals?
Thanks so much in advance!
Hi all,
I am currently in the final stages of deciding which MBA offer I want to accept and would love to hear your opinion as I am still quite undecided.
Context
- McKinsey consultant (3 years) from Germany
- Will finance MBA on my own (personal funds and tax deductions)
- Want to leverage MBA to move to US (strong preference for California), so staying in the US after graduation using OPT STEM or H1B
- Potentially go back to Europe at some point in my career, but aim to live in California in the near future (next 5-10 years)
- Aim to work in Tech (think FAANG, Spotify, potentially VC) afterwards, 90% set on this
Option 1: Berkeley Haas (no scholarship)
- Great cultural fit, love the people there, will allow me to already have a significant social network when staying in California afterwards
- Top school for tech in California (along GSB), will allow me for great placement for internship + post-graduation employment
- Amazing location and more laid-back program (less pressure than at Wharton) - will have a nicer, more relaxed time there overall, which will allow me to focus on other things important to me (e.g. founding a startup)
Option 2: Wharton (no scholarship)
- Very strong brand overall, especially outside US in case I return to Europe some day
- As it is one of the "elite programs", probably even smarter peers and professors - will potentially benefit me in the long term when it comes to getting funding / becoming CEO etc. due to the brand name
- While Wharton seems to be academically intense (which I am not to keen on, because I finally want to enjoy those final 2 years of studying), I like that it is focused around data (I have always been analytically inclined)
- I am not to keen to go to the East Coast and Philadelphia for the MBA, so this is a strong disadvantage for me - however, still possible to spend a semester at the SF campus
- I know that in absolute terms quite a lot of Wharton grads go to West Coast, but I think it's going to be hard to have a strong social network there post-graduation (likely low overlap between people who go to West Coast + friends I make at Wharton) compared to Berkeley
General thoughts:
- Given I already have multiple MBB consultancies, investment banks etc. in my resume, brand name does not matter as much to me as it might matter to others
- I think both schools will finally enable me to get good placement in tech in California
- Berkeley likely has a better culture and friendlier people, but I think that both programs will allow me to have a good time during the two years
- Apparently both Berkeley (overall program) and Wharton (if I take Business Analytics major) have the OPT STEM accreditation which would guarantee me 5 years in US (2 yr MBA + 1 year OPT + 2 year extension) as alternative to an H1B visa
Summary:
- My heart says Haas - I think I will have an amazing time there, make friends there who might be the base of my future life in California, get great placement in Tech
- However, Wharton will also be a good time, will also bring me to Cali afterwards if I want to, will be the better brand which might have benefits in the long term
- My general view on life is that I want to prioritize things that make me happy vs. things that impress others (I am done with this after all the McKinsey etc. time). What I want to do is have a happy life and go to California - and Berkeley enables me to do that right away (Wharton with a 2 year delay)
Given all this background, would be amazing to hear your thoughts! Am I crazy to go to Berkeley with a Wharton offer? Or is it reasonable given my background and goals?
Thanks so much in advance!
05 Jan 2020, 08:25
Kudos
Bookmarks
Congratulations on your admits! I don't think you are crazy but you should be aware of the trade offs you will be making and what you based your impression of each program and "culture":
Top 10 vs. a smaller west-coast Top 3 program
- You will get fewer on-campus recruiting opportunities; certain firms/companies/VC's recruit only at certain programs and don't want to waste their time elsewhere, such as Top 5 or M7
- You will miss out on international brand recognition. Berkeley is somewhat known in EU but Haas is probably going to draw a blank stare
- For VC, it is Stanford and it is hard for Haas to compete with Stanford
- It is great you have strong brands on your resume - that will help but sometimes some resumes don't even get seen/opened for certain positions. E.g. 300 applicants for one position and the best positions have to be networked, introduced, referred, etc.
I would say in general, you are not crazy. There is a handful of theoretical reasons but it is hard to tell how it will play out. If you want to be in CA, that's a certain/easy route. Perhaps someone from Haas/Wharton can comment specifically.
Top 10 vs. a smaller west-coast Top 3 program
- You will get fewer on-campus recruiting opportunities; certain firms/companies/VC's recruit only at certain programs and don't want to waste their time elsewhere, such as Top 5 or M7
- You will miss out on international brand recognition. Berkeley is somewhat known in EU but Haas is probably going to draw a blank stare
- For VC, it is Stanford and it is hard for Haas to compete with Stanford
- It is great you have strong brands on your resume - that will help but sometimes some resumes don't even get seen/opened for certain positions. E.g. 300 applicants for one position and the best positions have to be networked, introduced, referred, etc.
I would say in general, you are not crazy. There is a handful of theoretical reasons but it is hard to tell how it will play out. If you want to be in CA, that's a certain/easy route. Perhaps someone from Haas/Wharton can comment specifically.
06 Jan 2020, 08:13
Kudos
Bookmarks
From your post, it definitely seems like you are leaning Haas. If you want tech or even VC - Haas will get you there and arguably better than Wharton.
For VC, recommend doing a preMBA internship regardless of MBA choice.
I think Haas is much nicer generally, and it seems that you want that.
For VC, recommend doing a preMBA internship regardless of MBA choice.
I think Haas is much nicer generally, and it seems that you want that.
