Carnegie Mellon vs Indiana vs Vanderbilt

Question

Hi Everyone ~

I received admission to the MBA programs at Carnegie Mellon, Indiana and Vanderbilt; and I was hoping to get advice on which school to choose.

My background is in finance and my intention is to stay in the industry, perhaps either investment banking or investment management.

I would appreciate any comments.

Thanks!

NYCAnalyst · Answer

Carnegie Mellon is a great school (I'm an alum of their undergrad program), but I don't think it's a feeder into Investment Banking.

I would look at the employment reports for each school to see which ones have the highest percentages / numbers of graduates going into IB or IM.

MBA42012 · Answer

I am in a very similar situation between Carnegie Mellon, Vanderbilt, WashU and Rochester. I have all but decided on Tepper since I believe it will provide the best opportunity of getting an associate banking position. Investment banking is definitely an uphill battle at any of these programs - I spoke to Tepper's career center and they said that about 30 students per class initially intend on pursuing ibanking and that the number ends up being around 10 when all is said and done.

Vanderbilt on the other hand is supposed to have strong finance contacts on Wall Street, but I seriously doubt that they will be any better than that of Tepper's.

Which program are you leaning towards right now? And are you waiting on others?

Vanderbilt on the other hand is supposed to have strong finance contacts on Wall Street, but I seriously doubt that they will be any better than that of Tepper's.

Which program are you leaning towards right now? And are you waiting on others?

MadHatter10 · Answer

I've rank ordered the programs as 1) Tepper, 2) Vanderbilt, and 3) Indiana, but I'm still in the process of deciding. I also heard back from Rice last week but will likely not be going.

If you don't mind me asking, do you come from a quantitative background? I'm an undergraduate business major with experience in finance, but I'm apprehensive about keeping up with classmates who come from engineering and computer science backgrounds. If you have any insight about this issue, I'd appreciate it.

Thanks!

MBA42012 · Answer

I have an undergraduate business degree and work experience in finance as well. I'm not too worried about the quant/engineering emphasis. Tepper is also grade non-disclosure.

hookemhorns86 · Answer

Did you make up your mind where you want to go? I am in a similar position as you and deciding between Rice, Georgetown and Tepper. I might sound foolish but I think I am leaning towards Rice at this point because they gave me 40% scholarship. Also, being in Houston will give access to a lot of energy IBs. Tepper is a great program, but last year only 2.33% went into IB, where as 9 kids from Rice (class of 125) went to IB. Also, Tepper is absolutely in the middle of nowhere which makes networking difficult, opposed to Rice being in Houston. Also, Pitt's weather is a major turn off for me. Georgetown is great but the cost of living is very expensive, so I am not sure it is worth spending 60k more there than going to Rice.

All said and done, I have still not decided and honestly I am getting frustrated. I do not want to kick myself in the foot for not going to a top 15 school like Tepper or a top 20 like Georgetown.

PS: From my visit to Tepper, a lot of kids did have science background so make sure your math fundamentals are strong if you decide to attend there.

Any other suggestions are welcome to help me with my dilema

Carnegie Mellon vs Indiana vs Vanderbilt

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