Haas ($40K) vs Yale SOM ($100K)

Question

Admitted to both and undecided on my career after but leaning towards living on the west coast. That said, the 100K from Yale could help me fly out there flexibly. So I am looking for advice based on program and academics (what differentiates each school here?).

Edit: considering a career in consulting or tech marketing/product management.

Wilch · Answer

I think it would be helpful if you elaborate on what you'd like to know more about the program and academics.

I understand you're unsure about your career path at the moment, but I think it's also helpful to consider what your top 2-3 choices would be - e.g. consulting, buy side, sell side advisory, corporate rotation, tech, etc. That would really help you nail your choices down.

bb · Answer

I don’t feel Haas is that much better than SOM or at all. There are a few weaknesses - main one is it is the smallest top 10 program and does not attract a meaningful on campus recruiting scene. Now, Bay Area is booming and you have to really bad not to find a job but still... If career services not going to help then you may as well head to Yale.

At the same time if you want to be on the west coast and like that culture (I happen to) then you really need to figure out the career path. If you don’t decide, then go to the program that will challenge you the most and make you grow more.

PS. The lower cost approach is also an approach but we are not talking about a commodity.

Posted from my mobile device

Wilch · Answer

I'd take the $100K from Yale if I was prioritizing consulting as SOM places very well in MBB. Off the top of my head, at least 11 of my classmates from the class of '18 went to MBB on the west coast.

If you have a background in one of tech, marketing, or product design/management, I think you'll get interview opportunities regardless of which program you attend. Most tech firms are pretty school / ranking agnostic if you're from tech. I'd lean towards Yale here.

If you choose to attend Yale but have no relevant experience, you'll still likely get opportunities at big tech, particularly Amazon, Apple, Microsoft, Facebook, Google, etc. You won't even need to fly over to interview for some of these firms, as a number of them use video chats even for final round interviews.

If you're looking at small to mid-sized firms, being physically present in the bay area is helpful if you don't have the relevant experience. I obviously never attended Haas, but based on what I hear from friends there, tech recruiting is very, very strong there - not exactly a surprise here. With that said, I can't think of a single friend there who went the consulting route over tech / startups there, so you'll need to connect with the people there to learn more about consulting at Haas.

I think another thing to consider here is the cost of living in NHV will likely be lower than the bay area.

Haas ($40K) vs Yale SOM ($100K)

Berkeley Haas (40K) vs Yale SOM (100K)

Prep Toolkit

Top 5 GMAT Debrief Videos

615 to 715 in 15 Days (Ria's Strategies)

More than Quant/Verbal Abilities: Speed vs. Accuracy

745 with Only Self-Prep and GMAT Club

From 555 to 765: 210-point Improvement

Perfect 805 Score Debrief by Julia

My Rewards