Haas (scholarship) vs. Columbia (no scholarship) - Fulltime MBA

Hi WSO Community,

I wanted to get your input on a decision I am wrestling with. I have applied to MBA programs. I was accepted into Haas and Columbia’s fulltime programs. I received substantial scholarship money from Haas (50%) and none from Columbia, yet I am leaning towards Columbia. I fear it does not have the same brand recognition as Columbia and a smaller alumni network. Long-term I feel this will come back to bite me, especially since I plan on coming back to the East coast after the program. If you had to choose between Columbia and Haas given the scholarship situation and your knowledge of the brand recognition/network of the programs what would you choose?

Thanks!

3 Comments
 

If you want NY finance or to work in Europe, then Columbia.

Otherwise, I'd take Haas. To me they're virtually equals in aggregate, but with very different strengths and weaknesses.

The truth is you're the weak. And I'm the tyranny of evil men. But I'm tryin', Ringo. I'm tryin' real hard to be the shepherd.
 

Quia rerum sed at perspiciatis. Rerum ut nesciunt blanditiis autem atque quos. Sed commodi adipisci omnis placeat culpa ut sint. Rerum quasi aperiam doloribus magni placeat nisi quaerat.

Repellendus in placeat sit adipisci voluptates aliquam. Repellendus et fugiat necessitatibus blanditiis beatae quaerat. Maxime autem ut adipisci est similique et. Magni voluptates quia est quia inventore.

Career Advancement Opportunities

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.8%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.3%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.5%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 98.9%
  • Evercore 01 98.4%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.8%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.3%

Professional Growth Opportunities

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.8%
  • JPMorgan No 97.3%

Total Avg Compensation

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (51) $260
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (26) $182
  • Intern/Summer Associate (14) $159
  • 1st Year Analyst (84) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (76) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
5
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
6
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
7
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
8
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
9
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
10
bolo up's picture
bolo up
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”