HBS vs Wharton ($$$)

Question

Planning to go into Tech PMM and eventually entrepreneurship.

Wharton

Pros:
- Flexible curriculum
- Mix of teaching methods (I'm not too fond of HBS's pure case method style of teaching)
- Significant scholarship
- Strong marketing program
- SF program

Cons:
- Relatively weaker brand/network

HBS:

Pros:
- Gold standard for MBA
- Seems like there are more opportunities at HBS than at Wharton? Heard this is true for top finance gigs but not sure same holds for tech
- stronger focus on strategy vs Wharton's super rigorous quant focus

Cons:
- Don't really like the case method style of teaching. I learn better with experiential
- More expensive (I won't qualify for any need-based scholarship)

Heart says Wharton but turning down HBS is tough.

bb · Answer

Congratulations on your admits and scholarship!!!

The first rule of GMAT Club is that you never talk about GMAT Club. The second rule is, if admitted, go to HBS. (Not sure if you caught my faith club reference 😂)

A bit more serious, I am also not the biggest fan of the case method. I’ve done a fair share of the Harvard cases and it was hard. I don’t know if I am stupid or my mind was not clicking, but I found my line of thinking to be fairly different from the direction of the class discussion. I got better over time but it also made me a less active participant. (May not be a bad thing per se).

Traditionally, HBS and Stanford seem to perform very well in diverse companies. Usually medium size and more boutique. Those positions tend to be more attractive as the promise more freedom and latitude and ability to affect change. This speaks about the strength of their brand but also student body.

If I were in your shoes, I would’ve probably gone to Harvard just so I don’t have any regrets and so I would not have to explain to people why I chose Wharton. At the same time, if you don’t have issues with not having the latest and greatest at any price, the San Francisco campus, the scholarship, and the teaching methods strongly point towards Wharton. It would also help with your entrepreneurship goals not to have a $2000 a month payment...

I think it makes perfect sense to pick Wharton on paper but there’s just something wrong with the idea of declining Harvard.

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jessepinkman · Answer

I'd go HBS, imo H/S are always worth paying full fare for

bb · Answer

Solid feedback and perspective from a Booth Alum.

FinanceMan · Answer

The program I am in at Fuqua uses a mix of experiential and case method. The case method takes some getting used to, there is no doubt. However, I find that it really pulls people out of their comfort zones and puts them in the position of a decision-maker, which is the goal for all of us attending B-School.

Having said that, I have a love for few programs but Wharton is one of them. I would likely choose Wharton.

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Having said that, I have a love for few programs but Wharton is one of them. I would likely choose Wharton.

Posted from my mobile device

ANALysis · Answer

voted for harvard

it's close, but the $$$ doesn't make up for it imo

variantguy · Answer

I know people on this thread and otherwise will probably disagree, but IMO if you were choosing between Stanford vs. Wharton $$$, everything else the same, Stanford would be the clear winner. But, between Harvard and Wharton $$$, it's not so easy. My vote goes to Wharton. I don't want to split hairs on the brand value of these three schools - all three are right up there at the top, and everybody in the world who's ever heard the term MBA would know of these three schools. Harvard, with the all-case-method curriculum and the sticker-price, doesn't seem to fit well with your entrepreneurial aspirations. As you already pointed out, Wharton is pretty strong at teaching marketing, tech, and entrepreneurship; you'd have a mix of classes - case, lecture, and experiential - to choose from, and the semester in SF is a nice opportunity to do some on-ground networking. And the lower debt post-MBA would allow you to jump into your startup pursuit sooner. Go with what your

is telling you

Mo2men · Answer

congrats  falcon121

Congrats for both great schools.

Over the years, I saw people in this forum reject big buck and go to the other way or choose the money. Both are big schools. It is really up to you. You must look deeper into details such finical burden from undergrad school, post grad plans,.....etc. I only disagree with you about the Relatively weaker brand/network of Wharton. Also, it is important to see if you are comfortable wit case method. You will spend 2 years in this style of education. You do not want to feel tortured in each class.

bb , No you are not stupid or mind blocking. It is all about preferences in education. I love mix between lectures and case method. I like to know about theory and then put it into application. I'm like you. I'm less active because I keep asking questions about the origin of the topic and hence deviate form the case if I do not understand the theory. For example, in accounting, I do not see how I will apply financial statements before studying it. Years ago, Darden has videos for live class in accounting. Once I saw I discovered it is not for me.

falcon121 · Answer

Thank you everyone for the advice!! I guess in my mind the question boils down to how much cachet the HBS brand has over Wharton in the startup funding world (is it worth forgoing the 100k scholarship and sticking through 2 years of case method, probably impossible to quantify).

Mo2men · Answer

I think you must to approach current students, clubs and career service in both schools to get more info and hence take the right decision.

hacorus · Answer

What a nice choice to have, congratulations !

I guess if you aren't eligible to need based scholarship, then the money shouldn't be a factor. Although it can help with your entrepreur track as a bootstrap, but depends on your type of business. Amd the money from Wharton also shows they really want you I'd think.
Teaching methodology is for Wharton. 
Peers interested in entrepreneurship maybe slightly in Wharton's favour.
I don't know how much investors value schools, I guess the execution is much more important, so brand doesn't seem important for entrepreneurship.

So I voted Wharton.
But to be honest, I don't think you can go wrong with either of them. 
And if you hesitate, HBS should be the safest bet.

Good luck taking the decision.

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variantguy · Answer

Agree with this statement 100%. Having worked in two different startups, one bootstrapped and one unicorn, and both with founders who didn't have a brand name degree, let alone an elite MBA, I know a thing or two about fundraising and the VC world. It will help you to have a Wharton or an HBS on your resume as it opens doors that would probably not open otherwise and will make people listen to you at least once. But in the end, VCs value (A) people, (B) idea, and (C) execution a lot more than the school you attended. The best advice on this will probably come from alumni from both schools who took the entrepreneurial road since they've been there and done that.

hacorus

I don't know how much investors value schools, I guess the execution is much more important, so brand doesn't seem important for entrepreneurship.

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falcon121 · Answer

I want to thank everyone again for all the advice! After much introspection and talking with alums from both schools, I've put down my deposit at Wharton!

FinanceMan · Answer

Congratulations! I believe you will be very pleased with Wharton!

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bb · Answer

Wow. That is decision making power. I would’ve waited until the last day debating in in my head....

Congrats!!!

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HBS vs Wharton ($$$)

HBS vs Wharton ($$$)

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