How should you value quality of life when choosing an MBA program? Emory vs Tepper

Hey guys, I don't post much, but this issue has been really bugging me lately.

I've been accepted to both Tepper and Emory, pretty different schools, with very different strengths. My background is highly technical. I was an applied math major at a top 15 university, an assistant trader at SIG, muni derivative structuring at JPM, scored very well on the GMAT, and I want to get back to the buy side, ideally in equities in a long/short shop (which I have no real experience in).

After visiting Emory's welcome weekend, I kind of loved the place. Tepper's welcome weekend is in late April, and I will attend before making my decision.

Here's my thoughts on the situation, and then I'll interested to hear your comments:
There's little doubt that Tepper's finance curriculum is better, and I could take MSCF courses too.
The buy-side recruiting out of Tepper is considerably better (I've been told no buy-side firms will actively recruit at Emory, and that getting this type of job would happen strictly through networking).
Emory will improve my management skills more than Tepper would, and I'd probably leave there more well rounded and versatile.
At Tepper, there's a decent number of students looking for the same type role that I'd want, at Emory, I'd be one of very few.
I think I'd like the time at Emory more than I'd like CMU (Atlanta vs. Pittsburgh, more females, seemingly a very good quality of life).
Figure almost everything else is equal - virtually no money difference, same size alumni network.

I'm really interested in seeing what people here think. To be perfectly honest, after being admitted to CMU, I was ready to take the deal and not really consider Emory at all, but after visiting, I left there shocked at how strong their management/leadership skills were, and how happy everyone there was. Really seems like the exact opposite of my undergrad experience.

 

Both are pretty good schools but you'll have a tough time doing getting a hf gig from either. A couple of points/questions:

  • Have you considered the joint MSQF/MBA degree at CMU? You seem to have the background for it. The MSQF puts lot of people on Wall Street and some on the buyside. The joint degree program will take just a few months.

-Have you visited Pittsburgh yet? Except for the awful weather, I like Pittsburgh way more than Atlanta. As for girls, University of Pittsburgh is right next door.

-The strengths of Emory don’t seem to align with your goals. You want a HF and they seem to be ag eneral management school.

 

CMU shares a campus with Pitt. Oakland (the schools location) is really cool with restaurant's and bars. Great museums and plenty to do. Pittsburgh is small and Midwest, but a lot of fun there. Close to NYC and Philly also (relatively speaking).

 

Here's what I thought of CMU when I visited.. a) I would have to face severe snow storms and walk to class b) most of them were reallly nerdy and had a tech background..did not seem very diverse c) I personally did not want to attend because their IB placements are horrible.. 2% last year. That said, Tepper is considered a stronger program than Emory by many people. In the end, you have to see what works for you and not blindly follow the rankings. Good luck :)

 

My take on their MBA/MSCF dual was that it's really the MSCF program with 1 extra semester of MBA courses. Don't get me wrong that I do think it's a great program, I just don't think it would give me that same knowledge and versatility that a traditional MBA would.

I've visited both schools a number of times. I almost went to CMU for undergrad but ultimately decided to go where I did. I actually kind of like Pittsburgh as a city; it's not that big, pens and pirates games, decent public transportation (although I'll have my car too).

I think the MSCF is CMU's biggest selling point. Buy side companies do come to CMU to interview MSCF students and usually they interview a few MBA students too.

I think that getting the type of job I'm looking for would be significantly easier out of CMU (maybe not at a HF, but getting a buy-side role at a bank should be doable), but that if I work my tail off networking, I may be able to get the same role coming out of Emory.

Thanks for your input.

 
Best Response
Letsgomets:
My take on their MBA/MSCF dual was that it's really the MSCF program with 1 extra semester of MBA courses. Don't get me wrong that I do think it's a great program, I just don't think it would give me that same knowledge and versatility that a traditional MBA would.

I've visited both schools a number of times. I almost went to CMU for undergrad but ultimately decided to go where I did. I actually kind of like Pittsburgh as a city; it's not that big, pens and pirates games, decent public transportation (although I'll have my car too).

I think the MSCF is CMU's biggest selling point. Buy side companies do come to CMU to interview MSCF students and usually they interview a few MBA students too.

I think that getting the type of job I'm looking for would be significantly easier out of CMU (maybe not at a HF, but getting a buy-side role at a bank should be doable), but that if I work my tail off networking, I may be able to get the same role coming out of Emory.

Thanks for your input.

I would go with the dual degree program in a heart beat. Can you please tell me about the knowledge and versatility that an MBA provides? Other than retaking the same classes you take as an undergrad and learning how to appropriately use the word synergy or "drill down" I can't think of anything else an MBA teaches you.

Networking and branding are an MBA's real value. The MSQF degree is where you will gain knowledge and marketable skill sets.

 

in terms of quality of life, atlanta/emory is unmatched (ok, i guess its matched but having lived in atlanta and very close to pitt in the midwest, atlanta is very very good!). however, i dont think emory has any sort of technical finance program, so if thats what youre looking for, tepper might be better. if you value technical finance courses over quality of life and a good management program, teppers definitely better. but after having lived near pitt, i wouldnt go back, but id go back to atlanta any day.

 

One more thing to look at is the local finance scene. Not too familiar with Atlanta, but Pitt has PNC, Mellon, Federated, Citizens, bunch of boutique shops, etc. PNC has their Mezz and ABS in PGH. CMU is the top school in that city and I bet you would be able to get some decent internships.

 
AnthonyD1982:
One more thing to look at is the local finance scene. Not too familiar with Atlanta, but Pitt has PNC, Mellon, Federated, Citizens, bunch of boutique shops, etc. PNC has their Mezz and ABS in PGH. CMU is the top school in that city and I bet you would be able to get some decent internships.

Atlanta has most places too though:

Morgan Stanley (Real Estate Investment Group) HLHZ SunTrust Robinson Humphrey BB&T Cap Markets Bar Cap GS, UBS etc all have PWM offices and maybe some IBD offices

-------------------------------------------------------- "I do not think there is any other quality so essential to success of any kind as the quality of perseverance. It overcom
 

I appreciate your comments, but I think we're getting a little off track here. I might like CMU during their welcome weekend, or I might not. I do think they're stronger when it comes to job opportunities in trading.

The real question is; how relevant should your happiness at school be when choosing a grad school? Basically, if I was given the choice of liking my time at Emory, or hating 2 years at Harvard (hypothetically speaking - as I didn't get into Harvard, and I don't think I'd hate it there), I'd suffer through Harvard because the opportunities out of there are so far superior... At what point would you say, go where you think you'd have the better time?

If I told you I was passing Harvard, Wharton, Stanford, Booth, etc. for Emory, you'd probably say something like "that's a huge mistake, you're completely out of your mind". Is CMU good enough where I really shouldn't consider passing it for Emory?

 

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