MBA: NYU Stern ($$$$) vs. Cornell Johnson ($$)

Hi all,

I was admitted to NYU (with a full tuition scholarship) and Cornell (with a 50% scholarship).

My post MBA goal is to work 2-3 years in IB in NYC and, then, go back to my home country (in Europe).

It's a tough decision even if, overall, I think NYU would be a better option.

Here is why I would choose NYU: - Location: I love NYC while I think I might get bored at Ithaca; - Full tuition scholarship. However, life is less expensive at Ithaca and if I negociate, I might get a full scholarship at Cornell (I am not very confident about that); - Stern is very strong in IB; - In my opinion, Stern is more selective and stronger than Johnson (but Cornell > NYU); - If I change my mind about IB, there would be more networking opportunity to find another job in NYC during the 2nd year.

However, Cornell has many advantages: - It is also quite strong in IB. Less competition with other students to get interviews; - If I can manage to get a full scholarship, it would be less expensive than NYU; - It's Ivy League, so maybe more benefits over the long term? - Maybe better than Stern in consulting if I change my mind (not sure about this); - I guess that relationships with students (and alumni) are stronger than NYU.

I would love to have your input. Do you think that, with a long term view, it's better to go to an Ivy League university? Though I would say that, in my home country NYU and Cornell have about the same reputation.

Thanks for your help!

7 Comments
 

Full ride to Stern and you want IB? Take it. Absolutely no reason to go Cornell here. None. Nothing in your list of Cornell advantages is particularly valuable enough to make this a tough decision.

Go to NYU and enjoy your Summer.

 

Those poor bastards from Cornell had to drag their asses down to the city every friday for informationals then retake all their missed classes from Friday on Sunday. We would always run into them while waiting for coffee chats and hear about having to catch a 5 hr bus back to Ithaca - woof.

NYU with full ride? Not even a close decision. Go live in Greenwich Village for 2 years and have the time of your live. Unless of course you really want to work for Guggenheim because they import Cornellies (Cornellos?) by the truckload.

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