Wharton vs Haas ($$$)

Question

Hello - I am currently trying to decide between Haas ($120k) vs. Wharton ($0). I'm originally from the Northeast and am looking to pivot into technology in Seattle or SF post-MBA.

Wharton:
Pros:
Larger alumni base
More prestige
More robust career center / private school resources
Potential to do any career if I need to later down the road

Cons:
So much more expensive
Not 100% sold on culture
Not in Bay Area (although they do have semester in SF)

Haas
Pros:
Tight knit community
Clear sense of culture that I identify with
Essentially $160k less in debt due to higher tuition at Wharton
Located in the Silicon Valley which will make recruitment easier

Cons:
Not a top 3 school
Public school resources
Smaller alumni base?
Limitation if I decide to go other routes than tech?

I'm leaning towards Haas because of the scholarship situation, but am I crazy for potentially giving up a top school? I've gotten an extension at Wharton until next week as I continue to contemplate options.

ostrick5465 · Answer

High investment high return, bro. A vast alumni network could give you many advantages to break into the jobs market after MBA. I voted Wharton.

souvik101990 · Answer

If you want to break into tech in SF or Seattle, I’d vote for Haas. The $$ only makes it sweeter!

But keep in mind that big tech hires a lot from Wharton and probably even more than Haas. Being at Haas would give a lot more of niche tech and startup exposure, so take a call based on what you think you want to do post MBA.

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bb · Answer

I think it is great to have a choice and options of this caliber. Congrats!!!

You can definitely justify both choices and nobody would fault you for it. I feel the Haas offer is a great one wow Wharton is a great accomplishment. As Souvik mentioned, tech recruiting is strong at Wharton and it does open a lot of doors. At the same time there are some changes coming to tech recruiting (maybe?) based on the amazon patterns of going out to lesser ranked schools. They have actually hired fewer Kellogg, Haas and likely Wharton students:
https://www.wsj.com/articles/amazon-cha ... 1582021802

I’m not sure how that experiment will work out for them but my guess is that it will work fine and other tech recruiters may look less at the Pedegree of the program and more at individuals work experience and accomplishments. This potential scenario makes the scholarship even more attractive....

I’m not sure what you’re feeling is about the economy, but I’ve been predicting a recession for at least the last four years. Clearly I’ve been very wrong but there’s a chance of economy will cool or even reverse in the next 2 to 3 years. Having a scholarship offer is always helpful to relieve pressure of student loans. It’s unlikely that the Wharton grad would not be able to find a job but still....

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MBAApply2022 · Answer

Thanks so much for all of the feedback! After attending both admit weekends, I decided to put down my deposit at Haas today. Super difficult choice, but it just made more sense to me given my long-term goals in technology plus the value of the scholarship. I really liked everyone I met from Wharton, but I also just resonated more with the admitted students I met at Haas.

bb · Answer

Congrats on your decision! I usually advise against basing decisions on admit weekends but I am glad it was a helpful touch point.

Thank you for posting your decision!!! No regrets!!!

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GJN · Answer

I'm in the same position as you, albeit for their part-time programs.

I got a partial scholarship to Haas and no scholarship to Wharton's SF program.

The final sticker price between the two programs is 120k vs 215k....

I've asked Wharton if they can match scholarship, and if the answer is no I'll see you around campus during the fall (if it's not online of course).

I'm commuting from LA, so only around on the weekends.

bb · Answer

Haas PT program is very competitive so you are not taking a bit step down. Wharton has been very focused on their SF campus and Tech recruiting. It is catching up in tech quite a bit.

As to the choice, it is a personal preference in a big part. You can justify either decision - as a good finance person you can make the numbers tell any story ?

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Regenerate · Answer

I'm late to the game, but I think you made the right call picking Haas.

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Sattamatka · Answer

Only wages

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ANALysis · Answer

wharton is definitely appealing, but i voted for haas

GJN · Answer

Wharton would not match my Haas scholarship, so just put down my deposit at Haas! Excited to get this party started!

bb · Answer

Awesome! Congratulations!!! You may co wider chining in here: https://gmatclub.com/forum/ucla-anderso ... 26507.html

Wharton vs Haas ($$$)

Wharton vs. Haas ($$$)

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