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16 Apr 2023, 11:32
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Received admissions from two great schools - Booth ($/25% of tuition) and CBS ($$/half tuition).
Post MBA goal is (1) IB associate (2) fixed income/credit investment management (i.e. PIMCO, Doubleline etc.).
I don't have a preference for location! Pretty much equally open to working in NYC or Chicago post-MBA.
1. Cost
CBS offered me a slightly higher scholarship (+40k vs Booth) but I think the net difference would be smaller after accounting for cost-of-living.
2. Reputation/Brand
As an international myself, I like how Columbia is well regarded internationally, but Booth seems to have an upper-leg in the recent MBA rankings and reputation over the past decade. The difference in rankings is material -- it meaningfully persisted for many years.
People say rankings and brand don't matter.. but to be honest I think it does matter. I have seen highly successful people form stronger cliques and engage more actively with those from elite backgrounds while efficiently neglect people without such backgrounds. It's just an unfortunate fact that people do act in that way -- which can subtly impact my future boundaries in terms of network and persuasive impact. This is a sensitive issue but I view this as the pessimistic truth that many won't openly admit.
But again, Booth vs Columbia is a very close call and in many ways impossible to differentiate. So the above thought may be a super over-kill -- but I'm just letting my thoughts out there.
3. Post-MBA plan/School fit
CBS has a great value-investing program which definitely appeals to my secondary interest in investment management, but the VI program seems to focus more around equity strategies (value/growth/long-short) vs than fixed-income/credit. I may be wrong.
In IB recruiting, I believe the two schools are on par, but it seems that the internal competition will be more grinding at CBS given the larger peer group that will compete for post-MBA finance. I can see a lot of people matriculate to CBS for NYC consulting or NYC IB as primary goals -- more than any other Bschool. Booth seems to have a smaller number of students who aim for IB, which may potentially result in a more collaborative/"peaceful" recruiting process. This is just my guess though.
Also adding the fact that Booth mainly operates through on-campus recruiting (IB shops flying in to Booth) vs CBS students expected to competitively network throughout the city -- I think the energy and time absorbed will be much less at Booth, which may free up myself to explore other interesting/practical activities.
--------------------
Considering the above factors, I am still torn between the two programs!
Would love to get a 3rd person's opinion. Thanks a lot!
Post MBA goal is (1) IB associate (2) fixed income/credit investment management (i.e. PIMCO, Doubleline etc.).
I don't have a preference for location! Pretty much equally open to working in NYC or Chicago post-MBA.
1. Cost
CBS offered me a slightly higher scholarship (+40k vs Booth) but I think the net difference would be smaller after accounting for cost-of-living.
2. Reputation/Brand
As an international myself, I like how Columbia is well regarded internationally, but Booth seems to have an upper-leg in the recent MBA rankings and reputation over the past decade. The difference in rankings is material -- it meaningfully persisted for many years.
People say rankings and brand don't matter.. but to be honest I think it does matter. I have seen highly successful people form stronger cliques and engage more actively with those from elite backgrounds while efficiently neglect people without such backgrounds. It's just an unfortunate fact that people do act in that way -- which can subtly impact my future boundaries in terms of network and persuasive impact. This is a sensitive issue but I view this as the pessimistic truth that many won't openly admit.
But again, Booth vs Columbia is a very close call and in many ways impossible to differentiate. So the above thought may be a super over-kill -- but I'm just letting my thoughts out there.
3. Post-MBA plan/School fit
CBS has a great value-investing program which definitely appeals to my secondary interest in investment management, but the VI program seems to focus more around equity strategies (value/growth/long-short) vs than fixed-income/credit. I may be wrong.
In IB recruiting, I believe the two schools are on par, but it seems that the internal competition will be more grinding at CBS given the larger peer group that will compete for post-MBA finance. I can see a lot of people matriculate to CBS for NYC consulting or NYC IB as primary goals -- more than any other Bschool. Booth seems to have a smaller number of students who aim for IB, which may potentially result in a more collaborative/"peaceful" recruiting process. This is just my guess though.
Also adding the fact that Booth mainly operates through on-campus recruiting (IB shops flying in to Booth) vs CBS students expected to competitively network throughout the city -- I think the energy and time absorbed will be much less at Booth, which may free up myself to explore other interesting/practical activities.
--------------------
Considering the above factors, I am still torn between the two programs!
Would love to get a 3rd person's opinion. Thanks a lot!
16 Apr 2023, 14:56
Kudos
Bookmarks
Hi. Congrats on your admits!
And having more people in the program recruiting for the same jobs is actually good. That means there is a lot of attention within the program among both of the students and administration. This also means the clubs are stronger and there’s value in having bigger numbers… it’s going to be competitive either way versus other schools such as Wharton which also recruits in New York City 😬 and Harvard, which also recruiting New York City, and Sloan, which also recruits in New York City … so I wouldn’t take it as a weakness or a problem. It’s rather a strength.
Booth is the (close?) second in Finance to Wharton.
PS. I would say that if you are recruiting into a large firm, it won’t matter as much which program you want to. I’m more niche recruiting may require a particular program. Also, if you are going to recruit New York City, I would recommend going to Columbia just because you are already there and it is focused on investment banking.
Posted from my mobile device
And having more people in the program recruiting for the same jobs is actually good. That means there is a lot of attention within the program among both of the students and administration. This also means the clubs are stronger and there’s value in having bigger numbers… it’s going to be competitive either way versus other schools such as Wharton which also recruits in New York City 😬 and Harvard, which also recruiting New York City, and Sloan, which also recruits in New York City … so I wouldn’t take it as a weakness or a problem. It’s rather a strength.
Booth is the (close?) second in Finance to Wharton.
PS. I would say that if you are recruiting into a large firm, it won’t matter as much which program you want to. I’m more niche recruiting may require a particular program. Also, if you are going to recruit New York City, I would recommend going to Columbia just because you are already there and it is focused on investment banking.
Posted from my mobile device
16 Apr 2023, 16:21
Kudos
Bookmarks
To add a bit more, if you can get on campus recruiting, that’s worse a lot. Can always recruit on your own and net work on your own at any business school or even without the business school. So networking isn’t really a huge value had sex since that’s all your personal pull… it would be worth paying more for getting on campus recruiting.
Posted from my mobile device
Posted from my mobile device
ZagMike23
Current Student
Joined: 22 Jul 2021
Last visit: 21 Jun 2025
Posts: 6
Given Kudos: 5
Location: United States (WA)
Schools: Tuck '24 (D) Sloan '24 (WD) Booth '24 (M) Kellogg '24 (D) Wharton '24 (WD) Columbia CBS '24 (WD) LBS '24 (WD) Yale '24 (D) Stern '24 (WL)
GMAT 1: 710 Q48 V40
GPA: 3.42
Schools: Tuck '24 (D) Sloan '24 (WD) Booth '24 (M) Kellogg '24 (D) Wharton '24 (WD) Columbia CBS '24 (WD) LBS '24 (WD) Yale '24 (D) Stern '24 (WL)
GMAT 1: 710 Q48 V40
Posts: 6
17 Apr 2023, 05:25
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Hi Kaleido - congratulations on the dual admission and scholarship opportunities!
I am currently in my Spring quarter at Booth and while I recruited for consulting, I can offer a few thoughts that might be helpful to you as you look to hone in on your final decision.
My first thought is that if you're committed to New York IB and you have more scholarship money from Columbia, I would lean in that direction. Columbia's core competency is IB, and they are of course located in NYC which means more Columbia alumni will inevitably be located there. From an exit opportunity perspective down the line that is something I would definitely consider if you're thinking of living in NYC long-term post-IB. Also, as it relates to the in-MBA networking piece for your internship there was still NYC travel involved for many of my peers recruiting out of Booth for IB.
In terms of benefits on the Booth side, there certainly are a few I'd like to highlight for you to consider. The first huge factor that I think is one of the most underrated Booth policies is the program's "non-grade disclosure agreement". Students are literally not allowed to disclose their MBA grades on their resumes when recruiting to prospective employers. This creates a MUCH more relaxed and collaborative classroom environment that helps students a lot during recruiting (especially in IB). IB recruiting is objectively the most intense recruiting path you can take (speaking for Booth) and many of my classmates leaned heavily on the non-grade disclosure policy by missing several classes in their Fall quarter to prioritize networking related endeavors. The last thing I'll say about Booth IB recruiting is that based on various conversations I've had with the IB folks in my class, the placement rate is very high. Of course there is always going to be a lot of competition at the top with the Goldmans of the world, but in terms of people landing legitimate internships that are expected to convert to full-time positions Booth does very well in IB from what I understand.
To summarize a few points above, I would say if you're prioritizing an optimal career in NYC then I would go with Columbia. If you're prioritizing a slightly less stressful recruiting process (it will still be tough) and an overall less competitive academic experience then I'd go with Booth. In terms of national brand value, I do believe that Booth has a slight edge, but when it comes to IB in NYC that is not the case. Also, I know that you already alluded to this in your original post, but the scholarship differential is probably less relevant given rent. Most people I know pay in the 2k-2.5K average range for rent in Chicago while NYC is likely closer to 3.5K-4K. These are pretty shaky numbers, but I think you get my point when you project rent differences across 2 years.
Please feel free to DM me if you have any specific questions and best of luck as you look to finalize your decision!
I am currently in my Spring quarter at Booth and while I recruited for consulting, I can offer a few thoughts that might be helpful to you as you look to hone in on your final decision.
My first thought is that if you're committed to New York IB and you have more scholarship money from Columbia, I would lean in that direction. Columbia's core competency is IB, and they are of course located in NYC which means more Columbia alumni will inevitably be located there. From an exit opportunity perspective down the line that is something I would definitely consider if you're thinking of living in NYC long-term post-IB. Also, as it relates to the in-MBA networking piece for your internship there was still NYC travel involved for many of my peers recruiting out of Booth for IB.
In terms of benefits on the Booth side, there certainly are a few I'd like to highlight for you to consider. The first huge factor that I think is one of the most underrated Booth policies is the program's "non-grade disclosure agreement". Students are literally not allowed to disclose their MBA grades on their resumes when recruiting to prospective employers. This creates a MUCH more relaxed and collaborative classroom environment that helps students a lot during recruiting (especially in IB). IB recruiting is objectively the most intense recruiting path you can take (speaking for Booth) and many of my classmates leaned heavily on the non-grade disclosure policy by missing several classes in their Fall quarter to prioritize networking related endeavors. The last thing I'll say about Booth IB recruiting is that based on various conversations I've had with the IB folks in my class, the placement rate is very high. Of course there is always going to be a lot of competition at the top with the Goldmans of the world, but in terms of people landing legitimate internships that are expected to convert to full-time positions Booth does very well in IB from what I understand.
To summarize a few points above, I would say if you're prioritizing an optimal career in NYC then I would go with Columbia. If you're prioritizing a slightly less stressful recruiting process (it will still be tough) and an overall less competitive academic experience then I'd go with Booth. In terms of national brand value, I do believe that Booth has a slight edge, but when it comes to IB in NYC that is not the case. Also, I know that you already alluded to this in your original post, but the scholarship differential is probably less relevant given rent. Most people I know pay in the 2k-2.5K average range for rent in Chicago while NYC is likely closer to 3.5K-4K. These are pretty shaky numbers, but I think you get my point when you project rent differences across 2 years.
Please feel free to DM me if you have any specific questions and best of luck as you look to finalize your decision!
