Undecided - 12-31-2023 | Clear Admit DecisionWire

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December 30, 2023 5:03pm ET

Enrolled: Undecided

Admitted: Columbia , Duke / Fuqua $

$60000

, Northwestern / Kellogg , NYU Stern $

$50000

, UVA / Darden

Applied: Columbia, Duke / Fuqua, Michigan / Ross, Northwestern / Kellogg, NYU Stern, UVA / Darden

Entering Year: 2024

Post MBA Career: Consulting, Pharmaceutical Companies: Bain, McKinsey, Johnson & Johnson, Merck, Novartis, Pfizer

GRE: 328

GPA: 3.9

Notes:

I am currently deciding between Kellogg and Columbia. Post MBA goals is to pursue either a leadership dev program in the pharma space or internal strategy consulting role. Geographically, my preference is east coast such as NY, Philly, Boston, DC. I am also applying to Wharton and Sloan for Round 2. Any thoughts?

Like (2)

Show Comments (15) Last: February 7, 2024

alexbr4 Verified User. Likes Earned: 1696 Assume you’re still waiting to hear about scholarship money at Columbia, which may impact your calculus? Are you based on the east coast, or looking to transition to the east coast?

Kellogg May have a slight edge re consulting/pharma, but Columbia would have the location edge; both from the same tier.

(0)

anon28884 Likes Earned: 5 Yes, my plan is to go to the school that gives me more scholarship (tried to negotiate with Kellogg to no avail leveraging other schools' scholarship, but I imagine CBS scholarship may move the needle). I'm currently based in NYC as a management consultant. Preference is to do a healthcare industry focused role post MBA (with alternative paths in internal consulting, and MBB consulting). Yes I agree the balance is picking between the program that has stronger healthcare vs. better location. Tough decision as I have a strong network in NY and I understand Kellogg is better culturally too (1)

anon28884 Likes Earned: 5 Based this information (assuming schools both don't give scholarship), what would you think is the best fit? I am having a really tough time deciding between geographic location vs. better program. (0)

alexbr4 Verified User. Likes Earned: 1696 Kellogg would be my thought, re your personal preference re fit. I would look at their alum networks in the east coast cities. If you didn’t have networks on the east coast, then Columbia would carry more weight, perhaps? (0)

anon28884 Likes Earned: 5 Thank you for the incredible insight :) (1)

eliot Verified User. Likes Earned: 1919 Congrats on your acceptances! Let's broaden the discussion to talk about Round 2. You mentioned that you are also applying to Wharton and Sloan in Round 2. For example, Wharton would be another great option for you given your career goals and geographic location. Thus, you may want to wait until March before you make your final decision. (0)

anon28884 Likes Earned: 5 Thank you, really happy about it! Yes, my plan is to submit an initial deposit by 2/7 to either CBS (more likely if they give scholarship) or Kellogg. Then if I get into Wharton, will definitely choose that school over the others. (1)

anon10646 Likes Earned: 783 The Kellogg Biotech + Healthcare Case Competition is one of the larger/oldest MBA case comps which suggests something to it's pharma credentials. Stern & Fuqua are not far behind in placement stats, which may not be worth eliminating both until you know CBS' $. Wharton or Sloan would be a step-up though. (2)

lualua Likes Earned: 4 Wow huge congrats on your acceptances! If you don't mind me asking - is there a reason why you decided to apply to some schools in R1 and others in R2? I know that initial deposit for CBS is quite a lot of money, so I wanted to ask if there was a particular reason why you decided to apply in different rounds. (0)

alexbr4 Verified User. Likes Earned: 1696 More details on this decision in this episode of Wire Taps: https://www.clearadmit.com/2024/01/mba-wire-taps-332/ (0)

anon28884 Likes Earned: 5 Thank you Alex for the incredible wire taps, which aligns with everything that I'm thinking right now!! Unfortunately, I have not received any scholarship from CBS, but I am attending Columbia Connect and Kellogg the first week of Feb. I am currently leaning Kellogg, but we'll see how everything plays out after visiting (I've also spoken to several students from each school). Seems like CBS has a more free flowing healthcare program (strong, but it's what you make of it) but Kellogg has a very very robust healthcare program. To your question lualua (first of all thank you so much!), I decided to apply because of the strength of the healthcare program and in one of the cities, my parents live close to campus (so it would be free housing). Frankly, I initially loved these schools but didn't have confidence I could get in (hence I didn't apply), so I wanted to apply Round 2 with no looming regrets for the rest of my life that I didn't try my very best! (1)

alexbr4 Verified User. Likes Earned: 1696 Great! Best of luck, especially with your Round 2 apps, too! (0)

anon28884 Likes Earned: 5 Hi out of curiosity, I just visited both Columbia and DAK (Kellogg recently gave me 10k total scholarship, so finances are still roughly the same). I realized that I have a stronger preference to live in a city vs. college town. Also coupled with the fact that 6+ people I spoke with (who were choosing between Kellogg and CBS), were picking CBS. I also had a better impression with CBS during my visit as I spoke with a few who got pfizer offers. Would it be a bad idea to choose CBS at this stage? I understand Kellogg has a much better healthcare/consulting program, and seemingly a more connected culture (I know a bunch of people go to NY, Boston and jersey after). I was leaning on Kellogg before visiting, but after visiting, I am extremely torn and stressed. Also, not sure since CBS has an ivy league name that it carrys more weight / prestige in the long term. I really enjoyed talking with both CBS / Kellogg admits as well. Any advice (I also am not a fan at all of the high deposit)? Wharton / Sloan for Rd2 would perfect combine my interest in to live in a city / strong healthcare program. Sorry for the rant, just having a tough time. (0)

eliot Verified User. Likes Earned: 1919 Thanks for sharing your feedback after visiting both schools. Based on what you shared, it sounds like CBS is the best overall option for you. Thus, I suggest that you put down a deposit at CBS and then wait for results from Wharton in Round 2. Best of luck. (1)

anon28884 Likes Earned: 5 Great, thank you! And Agreed sounds good. Will keep you posted about Wharton/Sloan. (1)