CBS vs. Stern (full-ride)

Question

Wasn't planning on posting but was so impressed with the feedback I saw from members on others' posts that I thought I'd have nothing to lose. Just wanted to get some feedback as there are a lot of bright people on this site.

I'm evaluating a full ride to Stern (120k) vs. Cbs with no $. I have deposits in at both schools and am 90% leaning towards Stern at this point but wanted to see if any gc members had any input either way. I attempted to get some $ from CBS with no luck.

Background: small business ownership, Stern undergrad

Long-term interests: Entrepreneurship 
Short-term possibilities: (unless something entrepreneurial pans out): Consulting/Ibanking out of school --> PE after if possible

I've researched the schools, spoken to students, and attended both admit weekends.

Without the scholarship to Stern I'd be inclined to go CBS for several reasons 
1. Branding - CBS is more prestigious and I went to Stern undergrad. 
2. I got the feeling that the entrepreneurship and PE community are stronger at CBS - although I know both are up-in-the-air postMBA goals
3. Consulting presence for m/b/b should I decide to pursue consulting is stronger than Stern. 
4. Some of the courses look more interesting (Master classes, PE major, Value Investing courses) & non grade disclosure

With the full ride I'm leaning towards Stern. 
1. Given that I'm interested in entrepreneurship, I think the flexibility of 120k+ less (200k+ pretax) in loans may have tremendous value. 
2. I still have access to NY networking for entrepreneurship, PE, etc.
3. Banking recruiting is comparable to Columbia. NYU still places at m/b/b for consulting (though obviously not as much as CBS). And I'd perhaps be competing with "less competitive' candidates than at CBS 
4. I connected more with the NYU student body at events and enjoyed my time with them much more although I did get the feeling that the Columbia students were brighter in general
5. The nyu campus/location/facility are far superior to Columbias

I've read the "go to the best school you can argument and that 100k over the long run is small esp for banking/consulting path" but was not sure if there was a material difference between the schools. As far as usnews goes, its only currently 2 spots in ranking separation. But I agree more with the tiered rankings I saw somewhere on this site. T1 (HBS, Stanford, Wharton) T2 (MIT,Booth,Kellogg,CBS,Berkely(?), T3 (Tuck, NYU, etc) - not sure but something like that where CBS was T2 and NYU T3. Anyhow, I've also heard the 2 years out no one will care where you got your MBA (to a degree) and that CBS and Stern students alike get similar banking and consulting jobs.

Happy to hear conflicting and/or supporting thoughts/experiences.

Thanks

domotron · Answer

Go ahead and take the money at Stern. If you're serious about entrepreneurship the fact you are not burdened with loans could be really useful I imagine.

ss87 · Answer

NYU is a solid top 15, if not top 10. A full-ride is very rare and impressive and employers will be flocking over regardless

And I have heard a fair number of people tell me the same. Go with your instinct this time

kingfalcon · Answer

You clearly have a good head on your shoulders and have thought this through very critically. I agree with pretty much all your points.

If I were in your shoes, I'd definitely head to Stern: great banking placement, a better fit, nearly as prestigious (top 10ish versus top 5ish), and a freaking full ride (!!!). Like you said, that $120K is not just $120K, it's really more like $200K when you factor in not having to pay interest and not having to gross $200K+ just to pay back $120K in after-tax dollars. Do not underestimate how much those loan payments could impact your lifestyle or life decisions (e.g., marriage, kids, house) coming out of school.

I wish I were in your shoes! :lol:

hanpin17 · Answer

If your immediate goal after school is consulting (especially M/B/B), go for CBS. If it's finance, then take your $120K.

Another reason to choose CBS is that you already went to Stern for undergrad =)

Ivan91 · Answer

I would be one of the few to say...go to Columbia..
You have already been to NYU , so you have an easy access to its alumni. One of the main reasons to go to a top business schools is to gain access to a powerful alumni network.
I have a family friend who went to Columbia. She said she had the time of her life
You also mentioned you are leaning towards PE, if possible. I dont think there is a school in the world that places more ppl in PE, VC, and IB. 
The Ivy league pedigree is also one to consider, although you already went to a top undergrad school. 
If I think about it, on the other hand, having a full ride on your resume really looks good.
You are facing a big dilemma; I would still go to CBS

ss87 · Answer

Just one more thing to add - top employers know about both of these schools. One thing to ponder - CBS might (or might not ) have a better alumni. 
But don't let the "Ivy league" status bother you too much - sure people know of it but it was mainly created for sports.But generally people tend to confuse it with MBA schools,etc.

To me, putting on my resume that Stern with full ride is equally impressive as I am from CBS. But do look at the overall B-school experience you will get, that is equally, if not more important than the $.

As for consulting - both will open the same doors for you. For PE - I agree with the above poster than CBS is better.

old1442 · Answer

Thanks for all the great feedback on both sides. I'm glad that, for the most part, members reinforced the way I'm leaning. In all likelihood it'll be stern for me unless cbs comes thru with any $ in the next two weeks. I appreciate all the thoughts

CBS vs. Stern (full-ride)

CBS vs. Stern (full-ride)?

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