Cornell vs UCLA
I'm a career switcher from a completely non-traditional background. I've spent most of my career in education, and it's been a good run, but education is not for me. Starting last fall, I applied to several MBA programs in the top 15, and in the end, I was accepted to UCLA and Cornell.
I started applying to business schools with the intention of transitioning into management consulting. My skill set and unusual background seemed a better fit for consulting than other industries. But consulting really isn't a strength at either of the programs where I was accepted. Tech would seem like a natural choice at UCLA, given my EdTech experience, but I'm not sure my IT background is impressive enough to get noticed. At Cornell, IB is an obvious strength, but work/life balance in banking scares me. I'm told that if the consulting lifestyle is manageable, the IB hours are a complete tragedy with 100+ hour weeks and no free time on weekends. As a teacher, I'm used to working 50 hour weeks, a few hours on the weekends.
Any perspective? I'm working off of my impressions, which may or may not be informed, so correct me if I said anything that wasn't true. But I need to make up my mind fast. The deposit deadline for both schools in the next few weeks.
UCLA’s Anderson vs Cornell’s Johnson
In comparing UCLA and Cornell for jobs in consulting, neither school has a tremendous advantage over the other school. It comes down to regional and sector choices in the end. UCLA will offer a slight advantage on the west coast for technology consulting jobs. While Cornell will offer a slight advantage on the east coast in banking and consulting (6% placement into MBB).
from certified user @Masterz57"
Management consulting wise, there isnt a huge gap between the two, although maybe Cornell has a slight edge. It really should come down to the people, the offerings in the program, and where you want to work after school. If you want west coast, choose anderson, if you want East Coast, go with Cornell.
Cornell pros
- Ivy league brand
- Strong east coast network
- Decent consulting placement
- Good investment banking placement
Cons
- ”Ranked” lower than UCLA’s Anderson
- Remote
UCLA Pros
- Slightly better rank
- Good west coast network
- Tech opportunities
- Better location
Cons
- Less options in career finance on west coast
- Lower consulting placement
Recommended Reading
ranks dont mean much. if NE is what you want to stay with, cornell isn't bad. It could've been a lot worse right?
@Masterz57" should be able to shed some light
You seem unsure what your career plans are, you really need to refine them before we give you advice. If you decide to do east coast banking, Cornell is the easy choice...if you want to do west coast tech, UCLA is the easy choice. Consulting is do-able from either school, albeit it more difficult.
I wouldn't worry about bidding - ultimately it doesn't matter unless you are an amazing interviewer ( in which case, you'd be an amazing networker, and would get on the closed lists anyways). They are going to take the same amount of kids from your school, whether it's a closed list or closer+open list. Likewise, pre-existing resume is going to matter during interviews, so the same worries you have about not getting on closed lists are going to apply when you actually interview.
UCLA all the way. Better weather, hotter chicks, and you're in LA. Cornell sucks.
Aside from mrharveyspectors sophomoric response, most of the people here are right. Management consulting wise, there isnt a huge gap between the two, although maybe Cornell has a slight edge. It really should come down to the people, the offerings in the program, and where you want to work after school. If you want west coast, choose anderson, if you want East Coast, go with Cornell. Any specific questions you have about Cornell read my AMA or PM me. Also have 3 friends from undergrad who go to Anderson so can maybe help w that too.
Commodi officiis suscipit maiores quis est dolor enim. Quis aliquam error velit sit quod. Itaque ipsa odit cupiditate ut quaerat. Excepturi a et aliquam blanditiis.
Labore et qui aut ea illum quis. Magni a quia in labore ad eveniet. Qui rerum et voluptatem voluptatem aperiam sed. Rerum porro hic vero hic ex autem.
See All Comments - 100% Free
WSO depends on everyone being able to pitch in when they know something. Unlock with your email and get bonus: 6 financial modeling lessons free ($199 value)
or Unlock with your social account...