Undecided - 01-24-2022 | Clear Admit DecisionWire

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January 24, 2022 4:00am ET

Enrolled: Undecided

Admitted: Cornell / Johnson $

$80000

, UVA / Darden

Applied: Cornell / Johnson, UVA / Darden

Entering Year: 2022

Post MBA Career: Consulting

GMAT: 710

Notes:

I am looking to get into the best program. I am from Asia. I have already paid my deposit for Cornell as its deadline was approaching. I was recently promoted at work and I have requested Darden for a scholarship - stating the update and the offer ( without specific School or amount). Should I give the Darden more details on Cornell?

Like (4)

Show Comments (7) Last: February 3, 2022

eliot Verified User. Likes Earned: 1889 Congrats on your acceptance to Darden and your acceptance and $80k scholarship to Cornell. Both are very good MBA programs that send graduates into consulting post MBA. Questions: 1) Are you seeking a consulting career in Asia or in the US? 2) Or are you seeking to work in the US for a few years and then return to Asia? If you are seeking a consulting job in the US post MBA, Darden may have the edge since Darden sends 41% into consulting vs 27% for Cornell. However, if you are seeking a consulting career outside of the US Cornell may have the edge due to Cornell's global brand. You should check this in your due diligence. 3) How important is your scholarship to your decision? After all, you have a substantial ($80k) scholarship to Cornell vs no scholarship at Darden. 4) Do you have a personal preference between these two programs? I encourage you to do your due diligence by attending events and chatting with students. In summary, Cornell with a $80k scholarship sounds like a compelling option as long as you have a good personal fit with Johnson. With a focused job search, I am confident that Cornell would provide you with opportunities to land a consulting position post MBA. While there is no harm in asking Darden about any scholarships, there is no guarantee that you will receive one. (3)

anon10646 Likes Earned: 783 'Best' program for each person can be subjective. The rankings are very generalized and a couple spots often are narrow and can be changed by methodology. That said Darden is slightly better better for Consulting based on their placement of new comers to MBB, their consulting placement median/mean salaries, and a bit higher placement % (though some of that can be self-selection as Darden is known more for consulting). While noting who your offer was from and the $ may have been good to disclose originally, since if Darden would have budged it'd have to be for a direct peer, I'd focus more so on what you like about Darden, what you bring to those elements, and your career updates. Telling focusing on why you want Darden and why Darden should want you will likely go over better than 'School X gave me more $, what can you do?' If Darden does not budge then start considering if the firms you'd like to place with are attainable from Johnson and for those that are not, does the $ make up for that. Then, while the class sizes and settings are sort of similar, do you want a case method school like Darden, or do you fit in better with that culture which will make your 2-years more enjoyable. (4)

anon10413 Likes Earned: 8 Thank you, Elliot and Anon10646. OP here. I am actually a bit flexible with my career goals. I think I will eventually pursue the strength of the program. At the core, a high-priced MBA is about the brand and connection, which both these schools have. Maybe Cornell as an IVY is sexier. (1) As an international, which may be more challenging to pursue IB or Consulting? I`m assuming Cornell is a stronger program for IB. Apart from the weather, I will hate to spend the time on the road to NY. I hate the smell of the bus. But I may need to overlook these noises. I am applying to LBS in round 2 and I`m confident that I will get an offer. But I am concerned about the lower salary of LBS graduates. Is my concern unfounded? (2) @Anon10646, Are Darden and Cornell, not direct peers? (3) Scholarship is very important for me, especially if they are close peers. Had it been Darden and UNC. I would have overlooked the scholarship. 80K is substantial. (4) US market is better for MBA grads. So for now I am targeting it. (5) From where I come from Cornell has a better brand. I like both Cornell & Darden community. (2)

anon10646 Likes Earned: 783 @OP. I mean like if you told Darden I have an offer from another school and even say it's for $80K, then they may not take it seriously since it's an unknown what school. If they will compete, it will be with peers, and I agree Cornell would be one. Re: IB/Consulting - I recruited for IB, not consulting, but my general understanding is overall it's a bit easier to get sponsor in consulting. However, I would talk to both schools finance and consulting clubs about their placements. If Cornell biggest placements are to firms that sponsor, while Darden has them to one or two that do not, (or vice versa) this could be a big impact. Re: LBS and EU salaries, some of that can be impacted by EU students returning home to lower-cost of living countries. UK salaries may be lower than US, but there are other factors like lower healthcare costs which begin to balance out living costs. Re: bus from Ithaca to NYC, it's still a long ride, but what I saw it's a pretty plush high-end bus where you can get work done and not standard Greyhound fare. Also, can check with current students, but guessing many have cars and may be driving down you and hitch on. It sounds like you do not have a strong lean, so I'd agree with Eliot and say do some diligence on each and if you're confident you can get your goals from Johnson and nothing stands out at Darden which makes you really want there, $80k from Johnson seems to make sense. (3)

anon10413 Likes Earned: 8 @Anon10646 Thank you so much... you have made an excellent point. firms that sponsor. I will reach out to the career office of each school and see if they have stats on these. Let`s see, Darden will make a decision in about 10 days. if they do not budge, I will mention a specific offer and see if they would be more considerate. thank you again !!!! (2)

cherisebrookes Likes Earned: 21 Hello, I am interested to know your final decision. I am also an international student who applied to Cornell. How good are their sponsorship stats? (1)

alexbr4 Verified User. Likes Earned: 1675 More details on this decision in this episode of Wire Taps: https://www.clearadmit.com/2022/01/episode-211-wire-taps/ (0)