CBS vs Fuqua ($)

Question

Hi all, I realize that I'm in a very enviable position, but I'm seeking your advice on my decision. I've been accepted at CBS and Fuqua (Duke). CBS didn't mention anything about scholarships in email or phone call. Fuqua has deemed me a high potential candidate and offered me approximately $10K per year.

Short Term Goals: Management Consulting (hopefully at M/B/B)

Long Term Goals: Product Strategy/Product Development at a Tech company.

Fuqua 
+ I loved the students when I visited campus. I think that I would enjoy the Team Fuqua mentality.
+ They want me to come. I've been deemed a high potential candidate. My interviewer and assistant dean both called and gave their sales pitches on Fuqua.
+ Strong Consulting Recruiting
- Consulting placement stronger in South and Mid-Atlantic vs North East(preferred area)
- Farther away from family & girlfriend

CBS 
+ NYC Factor. Visit companies as a part of class. Experience the city with classmates. Recruiting is right there. 
+ Strong in Consulting and places more students in M/B/B (placement in North East)
+ Closer to family and girlfriend.
- More expensive
- Heard NYC can affect community in negative ways (i.e. students hang out with people they already know)

Any thoughts are appreciated.

brianlange77 · Answer

I think you've got a lot of the broad strokes there -- two great choices either way (I'm biased a bit -- Fuqua '05). What does your gut instinct tell you? Some people enjoy the 'escape' out of the big city for two years... others can't imagine life anyplace else.

Where do you fit?

Good luck!

-Brian

CobraKai · Answer

Don't put too much stock into this. You need to do what's best for you, not what others want. Yeah, it's nice to be wanted, but don't be tempted to do something just because someone else wants you to (this applies during B-school as well). $20K is a drop in the bucket. If you want to place MBB in the Northeast, go to Columbia.

aerien · Answer

It sounds like for you, CBS has recruiting + family/gf and Duke has fit. I would visit to see where you want to be for the next two years. The school environments are very different, and most people either really like or really dislike one of those.

@Dakells went through a similar decision last year and wound up at CBS. Search her posts to find her decision-making thinking

@Dakells went through a similar decision last year and wound up at CBS. Search her posts to find her decision-making thinking

AjMBA · Answer

Thanks for the responses thus far!

To clarify, I don't currently live in NYC, but I've always wanted to do so. Unfortunately I can't visit both because their admit weekends fall on the same weekend. I will be talking to students at both schools and trying to gauge my true "fit".

@CobraKai Thanks for the advice. I was hoping that this fact might help me "stand out" at Fuqua.

brianlange77 · Answer

"Stand Out" with who? Peers? Recruiters? Once you get in, the admissions committee no longer matters to you.

CobraKai · Answer

Stand out in terms of what, recruiters? Keep in mind you don't know how many others were deemed "high potential candidates" and no offense, there are likely going to be more than a few classmates with bigger scholarships than yours, which will allow them to "stand out". Personally, I think the fact that schools admitted you means they want you there.

AjMBA · Answer

You have a valid point. No offense taken. Was just under the impression that a scholarship of some kind might help for recruiting.

CobraKai · Answer

It does, but usually full-rides and/or named scholarships do this. If 25% of your class is getting $10K/year, well, you see my point...it's not standing out. It helps as a line on your resume, but will it help as much as matriculating at CBS in terms of landing a Northeast MBB gig? Probably not.

kingfalcon · Answer

CobraKai is all over this. If your goal is MBB consulting in the North East, CBS is the easy choice.

chromium73 · Answer

$10k per year (~250/month if you take out loans) is way small IMHO to compromise on the best school for you.

nycdweller · Answer

and in terms of your long-term goal to get into product at a technology company, i would say that CBS is slightly stronger because of the NY connection (with the expectation that NY's tech scene will expand aggressively over the next few years), though being in that industry already, i feel it would be more prudent for you to leverage your short-term MBB experience than heavily rely on the laurels of either fuqua or CBS

good luck!

good luck!

gentlejack · Answer

I voted for CBS, too. It fits your career goals and is supposedly better for your family life plus you love the city. Other than the costs (the higher cost of living in NYC might actually be more severe than the scholarship offered by Duke), the biggest downside seems to be that the community is less strong than at Duke. But with many people in the same boat as you (not from NYC), I would not really be concerned. And with the bigger class size, it might not really matter if some people, being from NYC, choose not to get involved in the community that much.

asimov · Answer

Given that your consideration set boils down to four factors.

If you prioritize 1) stronger classmate community, and 2) smaller debt (cost of living + tuition), then  Fuqua  is the better choice.

If you prioritize 1) closer to family and GF, and 2) post-MBA exit in Northeast, then  CBS  is the better choice.

AjMBA · Answer

Thank you everyone for the feedback.

mgg234 · Answer

Columbia has much stronger recruiting, and $20k scholarship is nothing. If Duke offered you $70k+ it might be worth choosing, but I think Columbia is the obvious choice in this case.

mjones40 · Answer

CBS without a doubt man.

bgp2587 · Answer

Agree with the general consensus. CBS is stronger in consulting recruiting, which should easily overcome the ~20k you received. Don't think about standing out - everyone at both schools is going to be smart, and many will have bigger scholarships than you. You can stand out at either place, but that won't happen because you're a "high priority candidate" or got some $; it'll happen because you make it happen.

Also, as one who just turned down CBS but did a bunch of research on it, its community is underrated. Sure, some people don't move from their Lower East Side apartments, but you're talking about a class of ~750 people, and one of the most diverse classes at that. Most of the class is looking to dive into the community, and based on my visit there, absolutely does. I was very impressed by how close knit most of the people are (mostly on a cluster by cluster basis, like most schools).

brianlange77 · Answer

AJ, Obviously you've sparked an interesting discussion here. Would love for you to come back in and provide an update on your thinking and final decision. Best of luck -- great choices either way. Best, Brian

AjMBA · Answer

For those of you who are interested and to help those who have a decision to make in the future I'll share my thought process in a few quick points. I've decided to matriculate at CBS for the following reasons:

1) Fit - Talking with current students as well as admitted applicants gave me a good feeling. I enjoyed my conversations with everyone and really feel that I can fit in and make a lot of close friends during my time at CBS.
2) Community - I got the feeling that a lot of people get involved with the community at CBS. There are a ton of clubs and activities to take part in, plus you have NYC to enjoy with classmates. Students in each cluster become incredibly close and those who don't get involved are few and far between. The Better Halves Club was also a plus as it gives my gf a chance to meet new people and get involved too.
3) Career - For my goals and preferred location I think that CBS has it covered. Being close to all the North East offices will help with recruiting and being able to take advantage of opportunities such as Small Business Consulting Club with local companies in the city will help prepare me for internships and full-time positions.

Thanks again for all the feedback!

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