Better program for a transitioning veteran looking to work on the Street
I’m leaving the military after a decade of service and have been admitted to both Columbia GS, and Yale via their Eli Whitney program. I’m interested in studying economics, with the ultimate aim being grad school and a client-facing, revenue generating, role on the Street. Both schools are great opportunities, and I understand this is very much a first world problem, but I would be greatly appreciatve of any insights from those already working in the industry and their opinions regarding which program would best position me down the road. I’m actively weighing my own pros and cons, however some outside perspective would be fantastic. Thank you!
I am going to copy and paste my reply to your other post here just for greater visibility in case other veterans are lurking.
Go to Yale. It is an incredible opportunity and very selective. Columbia GS has hundreds of veterans and I've honestly never heard of a veteran not being admitted at this point. The veteran hiring events are saturated with Columbia GSers and I've spoken to several that are having a very hard time with recruiting and with networking.
Please send me a PM and I will gladly go on in detail about how the Yale option is a life-changing opportunity that will allow you to do anything, and Columbia GS isn't.
Source: Enlisted veteran going to an EB.
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I went to Columbia GS. The only thing I think is worth refuting (for anyone lurking) is the quote above. GS has had two Rhodes Scholars in the past five years and has (or has had within the past few years) representation across BB, EB, and MBB. There are a million reasons not to go to GS (outlined very appropriately by Veteran_to_IB in their post) but the fact that it doesn't present a "life-changing opportunity" is not one of them.
A more accurate picture is that there is an incredibly wide range of students within GS, so while it will not limit your ability to succeed, the experience is what you make of it. If you're incompetent going in (and I would absolutely agree that incompetent people DO get into GS), you're not going to magically become an intellectual stud. However, if you're reasonably intelligent going in, you're not going to have a hard time recruiting just because you're in GS.
Edit: Also want to add for clarity that I think Yale is clearly the better opportunity, for anyone in a similar situation.
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