Several applicants have asked me to compile a sub-cluster of the top three or so schools of the ultraelites. Intrigued by the challenge, I have endeavored to come up with a stable subcluster of the three top schools. Nonetheless, a stable sub-cluster has not been forthcoming. The problem is that more than three schools make up the top schools across the most important domains (e.g. finance, marketing, general management, technology, etc.). For instance, it would be difficult to make a sub-cluster that excluded Northwestern as a result of its strengths in marketing and general management. Likewise, it would be difficult to exclude Harvard based on its ability to produce CEOs of major firms. Chicago would be difficult to exclude since it is so strong in finance and quant analysis. A sub-cluster that left out such an outstanding leader in technology as MIT would be difficult to take seriously. Likewise, a sub-cluster that failed to include the impressive learning environment of Stanford would be subject to widespread and valid criticism. In a similar manner, it would be difficult to make a top sub-cluster that failed to include Pennsylvania as a result of the schoolâ€™s many strengths across domains and its legacy of producing managers. Finally, Columbia is hard to exclude since it offers an ultraelite education with access to what is (arguably) the most important business city in the world. I invite others to suggest their nominees for a stable sub-cluster but I warn you that it is not easy.

I think it's: 1) Harvard/Stanford 2) Wharton/Chicago/Columbia 3) MIT/Kellogg or simply: 1) Harvard/Stanford 2) Wharton/Chicago/Columbia MIT/Kellogg I do not understand the mentality that W is at the same spot as HS. Let's be real. Harvard and Stanford are WAY above Wharton. I do not know anyone who would reject Harvard or Stanford for Wharton. I'm going to Booth and in ASW I met a ton of Wharton admits who chose Booth over Wharton. I did not meet anyone deciding between H/S and Booth. So I would say Wharton is closer to Booth than it is to Harvard and Stanford. These two are on their own league and people choose S over H and vice versa based on personal preferences all the time.

Why not just have a site wide vote? It may not be accurate, but would be interesting as everyone values something different and together it may be pretty interesting to see what truly has weight. Anyway my rank: 1) HBS 2) Wharton 3) Stanford 4) Northwestern 5) Sloan 6) Chicago 7) Columbia Why? because if I got accepted, that's where I would personally go.

I'd go with: Harvard/Stanford Wharton Booth/Kellogg/Sloan Columbia if trends continue, I'd change it to Harvard/Stanford Wharton/Booth Kellogg/Sloan Columbia

1) Harvard/Stanford 2) Wharton 3) Columbia/Booth 4) Kellogg/Sloan

Harvard / Stanford Wharton / LBS / CBS / MIT / Booth / Kellogg Haas / Tuck / Fuqua / INSEAD / Ross / Stern Yale / IESE / Judge / Said / Anderson / Darden / IMD / HEC Paris