Columbia (J Term) vs. Kellogg 2Y

Question

Wanted to get this community's views on these 2 programs, specifically with respect to my background and post MBA goals, which I've shared below. Appreciate your comments and suggestions.

I've been accepted to Kellogg's program (to begin this August) and am contemplating applying to Columbia's J Term program (I was rejected in February for their August intake).

Work Experience (Pre MBA) 
2 years IB at GS/MS/JPM in NY
2 years PE in Asia at a large, regional fund
2 years with a startup in Asia

Post MBA: 
 Looking to move into a Sr. Associate / VP role with a PE firm back in Asia (Singapore, Mumbai, HK)

My Thoughts / Considerations

I know Kellogg is considered a stronger program domestically in the US, but the Columbia brand name carries with it a lot of weight internationally (while being not far behind in the US). As someone looking to continue working overseas and wanting more geographic flexibility, I think this makes a fair amount of difference.

Kellogg seems to place very very well into MBB consulting and management roles, fairly well into PM roles with FANG companies but much more limited into finance, with the bulk of it being into investment banking roles. On the other hand, Columbia seems more finance / investment oriented, particularly with its value investing program. Having a look through the respective alumni communities, there are far more CBS alumni in my targeted industry as compared to Kellogg, specifically in Asia but globally as well.

As a corridor to international markets, it would seem New York has a number of advantages, given most of the global investment firms would either be based or have a NY presence, as compared to Chicago which is more insular in the firms that are HQ'd there.

The J Term doesn't allow me to complete a summer internship, which I think is the biggest negative of it. I'm a US citizen, so I think I would be able to intern during the semester, but I'm sure this doesn't entirely make up for the lack of summer internship. On the other hand, I think the internship is much more important for those trying to break into consulting or banking (where vast majority of hires are from the intern program). As someone with pre MBA banking and investment experience, I feel I may be losing out on less by not having the summer internship available to be, but I'm not sure.

Appreciate the perspective of anyone on here that can help me think through this. I'll probably go ahead and apply in any case but in the case I do get in, would need to decide very quickly given the timing of the fall programs starting.

ssb20218 · Answer

MBAPrepCoach . if you have any views

JohnJohnJ · Answer

Columbia and Yale do shine in the reflected glory of their undergrad programs, but Kellogg has always been a better program.... my vote is for Kellogg

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MBAPrepCoach · Answer

I absolutely and fully agree with all of your rationale here. There's not much to add. If you don't get in I absolutely urge you to go to Kellogg because it's a great school and they're developing a good presence in Asia, especially India.

Back to CBS. I would like for you to do some really through research on what it would take for you to get a VP PE position post MBA in Asia.

Like talk to the people that would be making those decisions and find out if the internship is part of their recruitment process or not. See if you are well positioned and if not what you would need to achieve to be well-positioned.

Seems unlikely but I do not want for you to have any surprises for something that is so expensive and high stakes.

You're more likely to get in if you have mentioned this in your CBS essays..they will only accept you to January term if they are confident that you do not need an internship to accomplish your post MBA goal.

State the research you've done to show you know its been vetted that you are on track to achieve this, and that a CBS MBA is going to make this all possible.

My last note here would be have you given any thought to applying to January intake for INSEAD at Singy?

Especially if you are serious about Singapore then I think it would be a good idea. Also you would have the chance for a summer internship.

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ssb20218 · Answer

Thanks a lot for sharing your thoughts, I appreciate it.

Would it be appropriate to discuss the J Term program specifically in the "optional" essay: "is there any further information that you wish to provide the Admissions Committee? If so, use this space to provide an explanation of any areas of concern in your academic record or your personal history. This does not need to be a formal essay. You may submit bullet points. (Maximum 500 Words)"

Regarding your suggestion on INSEAD -- I had looked into the program and thought about applying, but my parents are in the US, so to the extent I can spend 2 years closer to them (and not make sacrifice quality of program) I'm going to try to do that. Had received admission at LBS (which admittedly is weaker in Asia) but not considered it too strongly for this same reason. I'm a US citizen, so also to the extent I want to move back to the US even in 10 years, I think the MBA from a US program will carry a lot more weight.

MBAPrepCoach · Answer

Got it. You could include it in your optional essay but to be honest it should really be part of the whole trajectory that you're laying out in the goals essay - if that is a nice tight cohesive argument then you shouldn't have to be explaining anything in the optional do you know what I mean

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ssb20218 · Answer

Sorry I should have mentioned but I had applied to CBS earlier and not received admission. The AdCom gave me feedback that I had applied quite late for their program (applied mid January, unfortunately before seats opened up from the Covid situation). So I just have the re-applicant essay (they use the same earlier submitted materials). So with that in mind, the optional essay would make sense?

MBAPrepCoach · Answer

Yes

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MBAPrepCoach · Answer

Have you contacted Michael Robinson to see if he might reevaluate their previous decision? not too long ago I know they were looking to fill a lot of slots

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bb · Answer

Congrats on your admits. I don't have much value to add here except perhaps that J term is also safer and more feasible... and you would not have to hunt for a mandatory internship in the summer. 
Recruiting remotely is always tricky, esp when you are 12-14 hours apart but your resume should get some attention (with whichever program).

P.S. J-Term has its own track and I guess skips the internship, which seems you do not need. I can argue for either program, frankly. Kellogg does have a fair share of partner EMBA programs, like the KUST/Kellogg EMBA and a few others that make the Kellogg brand and network more than one would think

ssb20218 · Answer

I had emailed them back in April requesting an appeal after seeing that Sloan and Kellogg were both accepting appeals, and stating my desire to attend CBS. Unfortunately they said they were not willing to re-evaluate applications, and they seem to have taken a hard stance on that. A bit surprising as CBS carries the smallest WL of any school, so it would make the most sense for them as they are in one of the worst positions of anyone now, and as you said I believe they do still have a number of spots open. That said, I suppose they are concerned about potential negative brand impact.

ssb20218 · Answer

Thanks for your feedback, this is helpful and points out some important considerations.

MBAPrepCoach · Answer

Yes, its a pity CBS isnt willing to reevaluate your app especially because they alluded that the ding is related to your application being submitted late in the cycle...I wonder if they are banking on covid layoff victims in the eastern seaboard to improve the pool. And if that doesn't work out maybe reduce class size. Just speculating.

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Abi1995 · Answer

I vote for kellogg.

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ssb20218 · Answer

Thanks Abi, any further explanation or reasoning would be helpful if you can share

Mo2men · Answer

I would consider Kellogg in your case as the summer internship is important. I had an international friend who was in Kellogg 1-year program and rejected by major consulting companies in the US because he did not have summer internship. However, after 2 years of graduation he worked in Mckinsey in the Gulf area (Qatar now). Maybe Columbia could work for you outside the US like him but I feel the summer internship will be an added experience not only for consulting but also to know if consulting for you or not...i.e. an eye opener.

MBAPrepCoach · Answer

He's basically wanting to climb the ranks in private equity as I see it, so internship is likely not part of Sr. Associate recruitment process  Mo2men

Work Experience (Pre MBA)
2 years IB at GS/MS/JPM in NY
2 years PE in Asia at a large, regional fund
2 years with a startup in Asia

Post MBA:
Looking to move into a Sr. Associate / VP role with a PE firm back in Asia (Singapore, Mumbai, HK)

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Mo2men · Answer

Hi MBAPrepCoach Farrell I hope you are well and thanks for you. I do not know happened. I focused on last paragraph and I thought he wanted consulting. What a mess

Thanks for pointing out

ssb20218 Please ignore my post. I do not have anything to say after the Great Farrell said.

MBAPrepCoach · Answer

You are so adorable. No worries and thanks for the kind words  Mo2men

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Columbia (J Term) vs. Kellogg 2Y

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