Stanford, Wharton, Booth, or Columbia: Which to Choose?

Question

I have been accepted to Stanford, Wharton, Booth, and Columbia business schools. I am interested in management consulting, but my long term goal is to start a search fund and buy a company. I am interested in entrepreneurship, but I would also love to work in the northeast US. I could use help in determining which is a better option. Money is not a factor here, as both Stanford and Booth will be full rides and Wharton and Columbia will be mostly covered for tuition and mandatory fees. Help?

bb · Answer

Wow! Awesome choices! I feel all of these programs can meet your needs and would be a great experience that helps you form life-long relationships. Ultimately to raise money, you will need connections and credibility. You will need to impress future investors and instill confidence in them and while both Booth and Columbia are very impressive schools, Stanford and Wharton are a group of their own. Even further, Stanford has the lowest admit rate of them all and is the most exclusive program.

Besides access to capital, it would be helpful to have solid networking with entrepreneurs and future partners as well as building a network of potentiall future employees. I am not sure if a connection to the VC community and funds in Bay Area with Stanford would be a better choice than that more traditional finance connections at Wharton.

My 2 cent investment right here

PS. To clarify, assumed the venture would be in the US but if you’re planning to be based outside of the US, Wharton may have a much bigger network in a particular region. For example many Countries send their top finance people or Africa presidents kids to Wharton.

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PS. To clarify, assumed the venture would be in the US but if you’re planning to be based outside of the US, Wharton may have a much bigger network in a particular region. For example many Countries send their top finance people or Africa presidents kids to Wharton. Posted from my mobile device

MBAWannabe2020 · Answer

Yes, I am planning on working in the US. I think that makes Stanford the clear choice here, right? I think the school opens doors in VC or other investors that I would need to run a successful search fund. Additionally, Stanford still keeps the management consulting option open, I think. Wharton is amazing, though. That’s really the conundrum here. Wharton or Stanford...

Also, as an update, I have been offered a full tuition fellowship to Columbia. Stanford and Booth are also full rides. Wharton, however, will cost me some money. Most of the tuition is covered, but not all, so financially, Wharton is not looking the best.

bb · Answer

I hear you. Let me see if we can get someone from either to comment. Meanwhile, take a look at the GSB and Wharton reviews by first and second year students:

https://gmatclub.com/reviews/business_school/stanford-2
https://gmatclub.com/reviews/business_school/wharton-3

Posted from my mobile device

fatmike · Answer

Is this a joke? Did you even do research before you applied? Stanford.

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MBAWannabe2020 · Answer

Thanks for the input.

I was also accepted to the Stanford MSx Program. I know how unbelievable this sounds, and I assure you that I am not making this up. Stanford allows you to apply to both programs with one application, and it turned out that I became a dual admit.

Does anyone have any input about the MSx program? Is doing the Stanford MBA better than MSx in the long term?

I am trying to transition from the military, and I believe that an internship would be helpful, in addition to having the time to start a search fund or recruit for management consulting. However, the MSx program is only one year (reduced opportunity cost, etc.). Thoughts?

JohnJohnJ · Answer

What’s wrong with the voters here? Wharton and Booth are not of the same level. Wharton is way better than Booth

Posted from my mobile device

xprometheusx · Answer

Congrats op, I think Stanford is the easy choice here.

As an aside, how do you know Columbia is a full fellowship. I thought that info wasn’t released until end of January.

MBAWannabe2020 · Answer

I was awarded the Feldberg Fellowship for Columbia at the time of admission.

fatmike · Answer

Haha. Do you mean Booth is way better than Wharton?

Wharton took heavy hits in every ranking this year, after scoring the early number 1 from U.S. News. Wharton is very much a has-been school and relies on its brand to lure in students, much like HBS.

Teaching styles are rigid and just down right archaic. From the required courses to the case method? Give me a break. And who really wants to live in Philly.

fatmike · Answer

Congratulations! Your stats are impressive. What do you do in the military?

Posted from my mobile device

bb · Answer

My guess with that kind of acceptance, it has to be special forces but I am just guessing.... and I realized I am answering a question. It posed to me... again ...

Posted from my mobile device

fatmike · Answer

Profile says U.S. and military. Feel free to chime in MBAWannabe2020... we need to know if you’re Rambo or Maverick!

JohnJohnJ · Answer

Let’s see, West Point wouldn’t come as a surprise

Posted from my mobile device

bb · Answer

I feel a summer internship would benefit someone transitioning from the Military. At the same time, I have to say that the MBA military community is tight and I have noticed quite often that the military guys get recruited first for internships and jobs. They have their own track/network and it is strong. Whatever the magic they have - it works!

P.S. The MSx is a bit easier to get into than Stanford (most exclusive school in the US) and has a different group/crowd, as you noticed does not have an internship and requires starting to recruit almost immediately as you start the program.... many folks prefer a longer transition with an internship. Since you have the amazing fortune of getting into both programs, it may make sense to reach out to Stanford MSx and FT MBA and ask them - let them submit some applications, a couple of essays, and then do an in-person interview, and you can decide which one you will choose

P.S. I would probably choose the complete 2-year experience but that's me, and I did not get admitted to Wharton, Booth, CBS, adn Stanford

so I am definitely made from different stuff.

P.S. I would probably choose the complete 2-year experience but that's me, and I did not get admitted to Wharton, Booth, CBS, adn Stanford

so I am definitely made from different stuff.

fatmike · Answer

3.89 at West Point. Wow.

JohnJohnJ · Answer

Companies get a tax break for hiring veterans, so while the network is tight - veterans give financial incentives to companies too

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MBAWannabe2020 · Answer

At the risk of giving too much personal information away, I am an Apache attack helicopter pilot and commander.

fatmike · Answer

Thank you for your service! Are you transitioning out of the Army?

MBAWannabe2020 · Answer

Ok, I really appreciate your views on this. Having someone like you who has seen quite a few people transitioning and getting an MBA is really valuable!

Based on what you are saying, the Stanford MBA is probably the better option here. From what I have researched after talking to other MSx people, the Stanford MSx Program is mostly a resume polish for corporate executives or similar. There are a few HF and VC fund managers who have attended the MSx program, so those types are there too from looking through the MSx program website. Networking with them would be awesome. I think I would still have that option if I was an MBA student though because the MSx guys take electives with second year MBAs.

I am really looking for a program that will open doors for me and help with a smooth transition. I am acutely aware of how little I really know about business, so having a two year program is probably better anyway.

Stanford, Wharton, Booth, or Columbia: Which to Choose?

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