Hello,
I am struggling so hard with this decision that I decided to reach out to the internet for advice. I have been admitted to NYU Stern with a Full Ride and also received an $80K fellowship from Anderson and unsure where to accept. Currently, I live in Chicago where I have 5.5 years experience in public accounting but hoping to switch to a more corporate finance/strategic role. My goal after an MBA is to work in the entertainment/media technology industry (i.e. Spotify, HBO, Hulu, etc.) -- both of which are great schools for this industry (about half of companies in NYC and half in LA...from what I can tell). I got the sense at Anderson that many more people come FROM an entertainment background (being in LA) and students who came from entertainment felt that those who are new to the industry are outsiders. As someone who is entering this industry new, plus not as interested in the production side, -- New York may create less barriers for me (as it is less of an "exclusive club" out there). I could be wrong, but this is the sense I got in LA. However, there is no denying LA is the center of entertainment and would continue to have many many options for me to pursue.
Additionally, from what I can tell, the programs are similarly ranked. While NYU is giving me more money -- the differential between $0 out of pocket and $50K out of pocket is not enough to sway my decision, although it is a bonus point for Stern.
I have always had a dream of living in NYC but recently found myself wanting to ultimately settle on the out west in the long-term. I have personal reasons for liking both cities -- but my heart has always loved NYC more than LA. I many things UCLA has to offer (Parker, the campus feel, a more "technology" focused group of folks, the WEATHER, the cheaper housing) but, I can't seem to get past the awesome idea of living in New York. I am worried, however, that Stern will be much more high -finance type (hedge funds, I-banking, etc.) which is not as close to the field I would like to enter. While Stern has a good niche for entertainment, entertainment is certainly is not its bread and butter.
Essentially, I have spent the last 4 days struggling with this decision. I have visited both campuses and met with many current students and like both of them (although, as we all know, it comes down to who you meet). Do you have any other factors I should be thinking of or have any thoughts of where I should go?