Undecided - 03-29-2025 | Clear Admit DecisionWire

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March 29, 2025 11:54am ET

Enrolled: Undecided

Admitted: Columbia , Northwestern / Kellogg

Applied: U. Chicago Booth, Columbia, Northwestern / Kellogg, UPenn / Wharton

Entering Year: 2025

Post MBA Career: Investment Banking, Private Equity

GMAT: 795

GPA: 3.8

Notes:

International student, no scholarships. Concerned about NYC’s cost of living, but my partner (a programmer) may find it easier to get a job there. Would love to hear your thoughts.

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Show Comments (3) Last: March 31, 2025

alexbr4 Verified User. Likes Earned: 1751 Are you planning to be in NYC, post MBA, or are you considering different geographies? (0)

eliot Verified User. Likes Earned: 1944 Both CBS and Kellogg are great MBA programs that would provide you with opportunities to work in IB or PE. Thus, the main question comes down to personal and geographic fit. CBS would provide you with a big city experience in close proximity to many banks and PE firms. Kellogg would provide you with a strong close-knit culture in suburban setting with easy access to career opportunities in Chicago. Do you have a personal preference? (0)

anon10646 Likes Earned: 816 Seems NYC COL is the only thing causing indecision. CBS would be a better fit for your goals and possibly your spouses work. As an Intl I may also value CBS having a broader pipeline of IB/PE and other investment roles in being able to place in roles which would sponsor. More intl banks, or larger funds which know and have HR resources to do OPT/H1B processing. If you live uptown you can find okay priced housing either with university housing or rentals. May not be as nice or new (no in unit W/D etc) as you may get in Evanston, but not far off in price. Also, may still end up in NYC for summer internships even from Kellogg which eliminates some of that cost saving. Much easier/cheaper to find 12-month lease than short-term summer housing and you'll be paying double rent as your spouse would still be working in Chicago. Even if CBS you have several thousand higher expense, at full ride it feels like this is de minimus. (0)