Congratulations! I love this time of the year with all the choices. Reminds me getting a big box of chocolates and deciding which one to eat first.... not quite the same though. Quick question about your plans:
You said you wanted to get into PE after MBA
Quote:
My post-MBA goal is private equity or general management.
However, then you said this:
Quote:
Also, PE is very hard to continue in after an MBA, and there is no guarantee I can continue.
Do I interpret correctly that subconsciously you are thinking about general management?
Both schools are financial power houses. Booth is very strong in Chicago and Wharton is strong on the East Coast. Wharton has been taking heat and criticism all the years since the 2008 financial crisis and I think there is still a cloud hanging over the reputation and the fact that placement numbers lag is not the problem with the cadre (don't think you will be special).
I think the lifestyle in Chicago would be better than what you would find in PHL. You can live in Chicago downtown which provides for all there is to offer in downtown, makes a great commute and keeps you plugged in with the students (I believe Aqua is one of the "official" residences for the bschool students... it ain't cheap though - around $2,500 for a one bed-room.)
Most folks don't stick around PHL, and even though Chicago is not the end point for all Booth grads, I have a feeling more people do stick around and call it home. If you graduate from Booth and stick around Chicago, you have a great support network.
Having said that, in the grand scheme of things, the differences between the schools are pretty minor. It is not like you are comparing a top 10 school and DeVry University. These are two amazing schools and programs and neither will be a mistake, will just lead you a different path, and there are many paths to the same end goal that offer different experiences that bored forum posters like me may not take into consideration

Congratulations and good luck!
I vote for Booth