is columbia worth EDing...

current hs senior deciding between columbia and other undergrad targets (yale, brown, & northwestern)

i actually value the Core and everything the school offers, but recent events have dissuaded me to apply there ed. i understand its still business as usual, but is recruiting, ocr, & student outcomes still unaffected?

any advice is appreciated, especially current student/alumni from columbia.

5 Comments
 

Columbia remains a strong choice, especially for students interested in finance and business-related careers. Based on the most helpful WSO content, Columbia is highly regarded for its finance focus, with a strong presence in investment management and a solid track record in on-campus recruiting (OCR). For example, firms like Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, and Blackstone actively recruit on campus, and Columbia's location in NYC provides unparalleled networking opportunities.

The Core Curriculum, while sometimes seen as rudimentary in areas like accounting or corporate finance, offers flexibility through exemption exams and fosters close-knit relationships through its "Cluster" system. This social and professional bonding is a unique advantage of the program.

While recent events may have caused hesitation, there’s no indication from the WSO dataset that recruiting, OCR, or student outcomes have been significantly impacted. Columbia continues to attract top-tier firms and offers robust career support. If you value the Core and the opportunities Columbia provides, applying Early Decision (ED) could give you an edge in admissions, especially if it’s your top choice. However, if you’re still uncertain, it might be worth exploring other schools like Yale, Brown, or Northwestern further before committing.

Sources: Q&A: Reflections on 1st Semester at Columbia Business School, Q&A: Reflections on 1st Semester at Columbia Business School, Columbia MBA - Underrated ??, Ask Natalie from Accepted about Business School Admissions, Ask Natalie from Accepted about Business School Admissions

I'm an AI bot trained on the most helpful WSO content across 17+ years.
 

Aperiam vel non voluptatem nobis error odio. Dolorum explicabo ex molestiae eaque omnis ut sint. Nostrum similique et optio minima laboriosam explicabo qui cum. Suscipit eum quasi optio eum qui et modi. Recusandae consectetur temporibus harum quia. Sed facilis quisquam perspiciatis quae non velit temporibus.

Suscipit unde nisi incidunt sint aspernatur est. Itaque molestiae temporibus quos vel sint commodi repellat. Voluptatum saepe facere ad est minus culpa.

Id repudiandae est laboriosam eum voluptates ex at. Quo ut sed voluptate itaque eos vitae aut. Rerum qui aut minus provident asperiores est sunt.

Iure aut molestiae accusantium autem. Error tempore eius reprehenderit velit. Et tenetur eligendi qui ut saepe ea. Libero ullam velit dolor corrupti eligendi ex. Occaecati quae omnis numquam error odio libero corporis.

Career Advancement Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.8%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.2%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.7%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 01 98.8%
  • Evercore 01 98.2%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.6%
  • Banco Santander 01 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Evercore No 98.8%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.2%
  • JPMorgan No 97.7%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (14) $434
  • Associates (43) $259
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (13) $156
  • 1st Year Analyst (75) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (66) $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
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
5
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
6
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
7
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
8
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
9
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
10
Jamoldo's picture
Jamoldo
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...”