Wharton($) v. MIT Sloan($) v. Yale SOM($) [Solved: Wharton]

Question

Hi All, I'm fortunate to have been admitted to 3 top choices amidst this crazy round, all with scholarships. I'm currently a FAANG PM (previously an engineer), and looking to apply my tech PM skills to social impact (e.g., govtech, tech for international development, etc.). I also have ideas to start a B-Corp long-term, and would love to gain the skills to do so while surrounding myself with others interested in social entrepreneurship. The main things I'm looking for are: 1) entrepreneurship/innovation focus, 2) social impact focus, and 3) finance skills (lack of knowledge). I might try out impact investing or govtech (e.g., US Digital Service or Presidential Innovation Fellows) immediately post MBA. Have also applied to Harvard Kennedy (first choice), Yale Jackson, and Johns Hopkins SAIS, as I ideally want to do a dual degree with one of these programs.

Wharton ($30K)
Pros:
* Top program in finance: will stretch and challenge me given I know little about this
* Many different perspectives given the large, diverse class size that will push me to think about problems/solutions in new ways
* Extremely strong alumni network that seems to have excelled in every industry
* Has recently grown a lot in social impact, and produced some inspiring people like founders of Warby Parker, Allbirds, and Cotopaxi
* Most prestigious option: Wharton has strongest business brand name
Cons:
* While I know it's not as competitive as the stereotype suggests, so far people seem to be more into bragging/showing off than at my other options
* Need to travel between campuses for HKS, so would lose one semester of connecting with folks
* Lack of focus on tech, though I know this is on the rise

MIT Sloan ($50K)
Pros:
* Top program in entrepreneurship/innovation: will allow me to channel my tech background into a social venture
* Love the humility and down-to-earth nature of everyone there
* Same city as HKS, so can easily travel between campuses over the 3 years
* Highest scholarship (slightly)
* MIT overall has a strong brand name
Cons:
* Lower-ranked than Wharton
* Might be surrounded by similar people as pre-MBA, given many engineers and PMs
* More narrow, and may not be as strong if I decide my social impact interests aren't tech-based

Yale SOM ($20K)
Pros:
* Top program in social impact: will allow me to learn the most in the field I want to work in long term
* Very intellectual and humble students
* Can do Yale Jackson dual degree, which seems to be on the rise (with folks like John Kerry leading initiatives)
* Ability to take courses at other grad schools and form connections with people dedicated to public service (e.g., law, public health, environment)
Cons:
* Can't do HKS with Yale, but Yale Jackson is a great alternative
* Given lack of strength (relatively) in tech/finance, I almost feel like I'd be fully transitioning into social impact by choosing this over the others, which I'm not sure if I'm ready to do before exploring more
* Lower tier than the others
* Lowest scholarship

Based on all of this, I think if I'm admitted to HKS, it's down to Wharton/MIT Sloan (which I'm having a hard time with); if not, I may highly consider Yale SOM given its strengths in social impact compared to the other 2 alone. Also note: money is luckily not a factor for me, especially given how close they are, but could negotiate. Would love to get your help to break down some of the stereotypes I have about each school, and which you think would best align with my interests!

Regenerate · Answer

It sounds like, to me, you're options are:

1 - HKS and Sloan (easier commute; earning two degrees at the same time will compress study time and social networking; don't forget the cost of being harried).

2 - Jackson and Yale SOM ... only because of my concern for you on the issue of time ...

3 - HKS and Wharton ... if time isn't a concern to you like it is me, then this moves to #1 ... if you're going to be in non profit, I suspect having the larger network to draw upon after graduating will be very helpful.

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mba123098 · Answer

Thanks regenerate! Actually, all 3 programs would be 3 years even if they're in the same city or on the same campus, given the many requirements. I'm younger so not too worried about time, and the extra classes, additional network, and ability to be more flexible in my career long-term make the extra year worth it for me. Sounds like for you it comes down to staying in the same city vs. a bigger network?

Regenerate · Answer

In that case, I must have misunderstood the issue ...

I do believe that travel between Wharton and Harvard would take an extraordinary amount of time away from studying and networking -- however, if that's not as big of a deal as I'm making it out to be, then (imo) that's your best combination of schools. Again, IMO.

mba123098 · Answer

You're absolutely right--the distance is definitely a factor, as even while I'm at HKS, I'd be able to hang out with Sloanies (and vice versa), vs. I'd lose a semester each with Wharton/HKS. In your opinion, how big of a prestige difference do you think Wharton and MIT Sloan are: slight, decently-sized, or very big?

Regenerate · Answer

Check the links in my signature block...

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bigern1492 · Answer

Hi Regeneron, the HKS dual degree works so that you focus an entire semester at one partner school (HKS or HBS, Wharton, Sloan, Tuck, GSB). There are three semesters at each campus. So, there’s no travel for concurrent classes between campuses (could you imagine going from SFO to BOS weekly?).

Generally, I’ve seen folks at Wharton (I’m a 2Y) do their first year at HKS, then do a full year at Wharton to enter with the class they’re graduating with (I.e., meet their cohort, take core classes together, and graduate with those folks). The last HKS semester is usually taken in their second year at Wharton, and it’s not much different than doing one of our programs at Wharton San Francisco or Insead. You’re mostly off campus, but in the loop with things through slack / email / important visits. Usually during that three-month period you’re so interested in garnering a new network/having fun at HKS/Insead/SF that you’re not really focused on what’s happening in Philadelphia for that semester. I can’t speak for what it would be like at HBS/Sloan given the proximity, but I’m sure it would be similar for Tuck/GSB dual degrees. It’s hard to balance two lives and academics in one semester.

Regarding OP’s career interests. I’ll mostly comment on Wharton since I’m not familiar with the other two programs in the social entrepreneurship space. Although, I will say Yale is supposed to be the #1 non-profit school, and obviously MIT is extremely strong from a technical perspective and technology given the mother institute.

Wharton has a number of entrepreneurship resources, many focused on social impact. There’s the Entrepreneurship major and department, as well as the new Tangen Hall, which houses a lot of centers and places many start-up oriented spaces under one roof (e.g., VR equipment, test kitchen, retail center, impact investing resources, etc.). You also have the Semester in San Francisco option, if you think being in San Francisco is key to your goals - SSF is not hard to get into.

Additionally, there’s looking at social impact from a financial perspective, which leverages not just the entrepreneurship resources, but also Wharton’s finance resources. Here you can look at the Wharton Social Impact Initiative and accompanying fellowships (e.g., WISE, WIVA). Further, there are many student led clubs and organizations - Wharton Impact Investing Partners, Wharton Entrepreneurship Club, Wharton Social Impact Club, etc. You’ll have access to academics (both entrepreneurial and finance), faculty, centers, physical resources, fellowships, clubs, and like-minded students.

Clearly there’s a ton of optionality, ability to explore, and opportunity to mix and match. I’d say for you it’s important to think about what specific opportunities you’re interested in (e.g., starting a company versus investing capital). The tools are there to learn about the spaces, it’s more on you to figure out which academics to focus on, which clubs and fellowships to invest in, and how to focus on your government niche.

Below are some resources I’d recommend for Wharton (I’d post links but I guess I’m not allowed to):
Entrepreneurship & Innovation Major
Tangen Hall
Wharton Social Entrepreneurship - Venture Lab
Wharton Social Impact Initiative (WSII), and accompanying fellowships
Wharton Social Impact Club

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Regenerate · Answer

Thank you for explaining the time requirements.

I vote Wharton / HKS ... then Sloan / HKS ... then Yale (x2)

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mba123098 · Answer

Thanks to both of you! bigern1492, you make an excellent point that it would be hard to balance two schools in a single semester (even just social lives), along with the fact that many Wharton students study abroad their 2nd year, 1st semester. It therefore might not be as big a pro for Sloan, though I'm thinking I could at least do a weekly or biweekly hang out with some Sloanies while at HKS (unlike Wharton) to stay in touch. The completely different networks with Wharton/HKS is a major pro though. Thanks also for all the entrepreneurship resources: given your points about MIT Sloan and its strengths in tech, I'm still super torn (as is the poll so far, it seems), but these Wharton resources help tremendously!

bb · Answer

Thank you so much  bigern1492  for your perspective and feedback!

I have to admit, I am learning here about HKS and how it integrates with other programs. Thank you!  bigern1492  - i love your plan and what you have done. I do want to point out that many MBA's are fatigued by the 2nd year and esp by the end of the first semester everyone is kind of done (in many senses of this word) with recruiting, competing, interviewing, networking, being rejected, and repeating that process. Many want to be done being poor and can't wait to head back into the field. The last semester/quarter in business school is bitter sweet. Of course it sounds like your current job is along the lines of many of these graduates are looking for, so you are potentially already there and moved on to the next stage/level but I do want to point out that dual degrees and 3 years of school will be a big change and it will require motivation to keep it interesting and to keep the energy going while sleeping 4-5 hours a night. It is a commitment! Forgive me if I am stating the obvious, just wanted to set your expectations a bit...

As to the school choice, I see some value in Sloan being in Boston and perhaps having a bit more clout internationally and in circles that are perhaps not very familiar with the Top 3 ranking of bschools but I can't see Wharton really losing either.

Congratulations on your efforts paying off!

mba123098 · Answer

Thanks for your thoughts! I am definitely very set on the dual degree--while I'm cognizant of the extra time, tuition, and opportunity cost, I really believe that the dual networks and learning is what will set me up best for my career goals. Given I am already in a post-MBA role, I'm really looking at grad school as a way to be energized by my peers and think about things in a different way, while learning about my gaps (finance/entrepreneurship) and pivoting into something that is impactful at the intersection of business, government, and nonprofits. So I'm not as concerned about the extra year, and am very excited about the classes and people at both!

Agreed that being in Boston and Sloan's focus on innovation are major pros for what I want to do (e.g., would provide an incubator to build a startup), while Wharton's broader strengths will expand my perspectives and push me to think more broadly about social entrepreneurship (e.g., tons of resources for branding/marketing, financial models, and opportunities outside of tech). Trying to think less about rankings given they are both close, and more about fit + what I want to gain from them.

mba123098 · Answer

Hi all, I just wanted to thank you all for you advice again and follow up with my decision. I received admission to Harvard Kennedy, Yale Jackson, and Johns Hopkins SAIS, and ultimately am choosing to go with the  Wharton MBA / Harvard Kennedy MPA  dual degree program! It was a tough choice especially given this option requires traveling back and forth, but I realized 1) I wanted to stretch myself beyond tech in the MBA and meet people in many different fields (Wharton is best for this), 2) the holistic resources of both Wharton and HKS are truly incredible, given the vast array of courses and diverse goals of classmates, and 3) this way, I'll get to really focus all my energy on the program I'm at during a given semester (Philly for 3 semesters and Cambridge for 3 semesters), rather than constantly juggling courses/friends in either Cambridge or New Haven all 3 years, especially because I sometimes struggle with prioritization and saying no to things. Thanks again so much, and I'm so excited to embark on this exciting journey over the next 3 years!

bb · Answer

Congratulations on your decision and thank you so much for coming back to share your decision!
Good luck in Philly! I have not heard of the Wharton/HKS program until you have posted your admit and it's been interesting to learn! 
-BB

Wharton($) v. MIT Sloan($) v. Yale SOM($) [Solved: Wharton]

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