Hi GmatClubers,

With deposit deadlines coming up, I really need your advice/insights into which school is best for my goals, and is more enjoyable and a better fit given my background. I'd greatly appreciate your help!

About me:
26, male, working and living in the U.S.
~3 years WE in the commercial banking industry
Hoping to move into investment banking/investment management, with corporate finance as a back-up (i.e. at somewhere like Amazon).

I've been accepted to UNC (no scholarships), Emory (with $), and still waiting on a decision from Cornell (Do I still have a shot at Cornell at this point?)
Originally, my goal was to enroll at the highest ranked school that I could get into. However, UNC and Emory are so closely ranked, I'm really having a tough decision. I've yet to visit Atlanta and Chapel Hill (although I've visited Charlotte before and enjoyed the vibe there). I'm probably only able to attend only one of the admit weekends. If I were to receive an offer from Cornell in the coming weeks, I'd probably elect that option. However, let's roll with Cornell not being in the picture for the time being.

Moreover, I'm looking at potentially working on the west coast as an option. Other that that, I'm location agnostic. This could also be a deciding factor.

My Thoughts:

UNC:
A little bit higher ranked than Emory.
Have had great interactions with UNC students thus far. They've been really helpful and engaged in my decision process.
Big alumni network
Big state school - football games, school spirit,
Lower average starting salary than Emory (Although for IB it's fairly similar)
Seems to place well for IB in NY
Cheaper cost of living
Regional

Emory:
Stronger average starting salary numbers (like I mentioned above, for IB, it's similar to UNC). However, in the case I don't get into IB, could be an advantage.
Atlanta is a bigger city - more things to do, easier to network etc.
Have a few friends/acquaintances in the greater Atlanta region
Even more regional than UNC (to me at least)
Similar IB placement stats as UNC.
Big Plus: Scholarship money. Although the amount isn't great, something is still better than nothing.

I was thinking of going to UNC for the longest time. However, given that the two schools are so similarly ranked and that Emory gave me a little bit of scholarship, I'm slowly shifting to Emory..I've asked UNC to reconsider me for a fellowship but they've yet to respond.

Any advice/insights/thoughts would greatly help as I'm still stuck in a precarious position. I'd greatly appreciate the help!!!

Thanks for the response BB.

It seems to me like most recruiting efforts is driven by the student anyway (or the clubs on campus)? What have you heard of the Emory career management office that makes it stand out more than UNC's?

Just curious, any other responses or suggestions?

Hey wallstreetmonkey7 ,

Without a second thought, come to Emory

This is what my consultant told me when I asked her the question "Emory vs UNC"

I mean, Emory (the overall university) has a strong brand reputation as one of the best universities in the South East, so in terms of brand reputation amongst Americans, Emory has the best brand reputation out of any school on your list (including UNC). I was actually shocked to see that UNC’s ranking for MBA is higher than Emory, since Emory is regarded in general as being a better school?

So, it seems to me that Emory appears to have a super high post-graduation employment rate and if you’re interested in trying consulting, they send a higher percentage of people to that field?

Also, in terms of location, Atlanta is a more cosmopolitan city. In fact, they may have just elected an African-American mayor.

All the best

P.S: If you are not a part of our WhatsApp group, feel free to join us here.
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I appreciate the responses guys/gals. They've certainly provided new perspectives.

You too. I appreciate the response and insight.

Can anyone please shed insight into bb’s comment around Negativity around UNC’s career office? Where have you heard that?

Posted from my mobile device