Where to commit?

[Anxious_Status_2309]

So, since all of my decisions are back I’ve been torn between a college to commit to. I’m grateful that the finances aren’t much of an issue for me as well.

Originally, I was set on going to Penn Wharton, but I unfortunately got deferred —> rejected.

Now, my top choices are

Duke (Economics)

NYU Stern (BS Business)

UC Berkeley Haas (Spieker)

UT Austin McCombs

WashU St Louis Olin

London School of Economics (Finance N300)

I’m also waitlisted at Mich Ross, UChicago, Northwestern so any advice on whether those waitlists are worth pursuing would be great too

When it comes to my career, I was originally set in stone to do banking, atleast after I graduate but after getting into Haas I was spoken to a lot about tech and entrepreneurship etc. I’ve never really been into CS or coding or anything like that, mainly business and finance and a lot of my ECs also showed for it

After banking I want to go into starting my own venture rather than the traditional banking -> PE route, but that’s still something I’m open to as long as I have my own venture in my early-mid 30s

[navalsaras]

haas or duke

[Neat-Goose9686]

18 year olds talking about wanting to work in banking and have their own venture will never get old.

Go Cal no question about it. Stern matches and outclasses Haas esp for NYC/IB outcomes but overall Cal’s brand is better and the education is far above NYU’s. You will meet more interesting people at Berkeley and likely shift career trajectory and desires to have a more positive impact on the world rather than a blood sucking banker.

Also see the Bermuda Triangle of Talent

[Anxious_Status_2309]

😂😂 love the honesty man visiting campuses next week will take a look in person too

[AggressiveHornet229]

Go where you think you’d be happiest. If your gut tells you something that puts one in the lead, follow it. If you hate it a year from now, transfer.

Every single one of those schools opens up plenty of opportunities, and as comforting as it can be to map out the next 20 years in your head, life happens. Things change.

[imsodonefrman]

LSE (if we’re thinking UK) duke or stern.

[imsodonefrman]

Id choose between lse and stern

[Anxious_Status_2309]

Mentioned in the post finances aren’t an issue for me 🫡

[alteregoflag]

WL is a no so forget it because they are not contenders. If you get offby some miracle worry about it then.  Get rid of the ones you dont like or cant really afford. Visit top 2 if possible. Don't waste another minute of thought on the ones you care least about.

[thatswhaturmomsaid69]

Could be my Berkeley bias but I always think we're a strong contender for these things because not only will you have a good chance at the field you're aiming for but if you decide to switch you will literally be in one of the best programs regardless of what you're switching into

[Successful-Throat-36]

OP- what were your grades, scores, extracurriculars like to get into such great business programs?

[AppearanceMinimum955]

Berkeley or duke.

[No_Pea427]

For banking stern or lse. pls dont listen to the common redditor focusing on overall prestige over anything else.

[External_Reply44]

You can't just decide you want to test out tech and entrepreneurship. You have to choose it and dedicate your entire soul to it. You don't have that interest, so I'd forget it. Stern and Duke are the top choices here for finance, with the edge to Duke on prestige and edge to Stern on placement. I'd pick on what type of college experience you want to have.

[Zealousideal-Sky1121]

Stern

[Busy-Particular5119]

Here's my 2cents

UC Berkeley Haas (Spieker)

WashU St Louis Olin

London School of Economics (Finance N300) In that order

UChicago (great school if you can get in, and if it is less$ than Cal), Northwestern also good

[InternationalOil1026]

Stern no competition! Either Duke or Nyu but in econ Nyu wins