MBA Pick: Michigan Ross$$ vs. Cornell Johnson$$ vs. UVA Darden$$ v Duke Fuqua(WL) - for IB

Very grateful to have these acceptances.

-Prof BG: Founder to small VC - want deal experience

-30 year old Male - domestic

-Goal: IB - thought hard about IB vs consulting - prefer IB, I know it's a grind.

-Deciding between: Ross$$ v. Cornell$$ v. Darden$$ v. Duke (WL)

Turned down CMU Tepper$$ and UNC already.

Just got off the Darden WL last week with same$$ as the other two so this complicates it.

I'm grinding the Duke waitlist still - always been a top choice.

... It's purely a school IB outcomes/fit question now.

Already put down a deposit at Ross and Cornell to buy time.

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Pros for IB:

Ross - Biggest network, solid brand, best "MBA" prestige of the bunch - seems to put around 40(?) aka 10% or so into IB each year.

Good IB placement into Chicago, NYC too, ATL. 
Same range of banks seem to come as Cornell? Support structure - FACT groups, CDO seems decent.

Wonder if competing with less cookie cutter IB peers unlike at Cornell = better chance for set # of offer per school esp. given atypical founder background?

Ok location but not crazy about midwest/weather. Wouldn't mind being in Chicago but unsure of career trade-off vs targeting NYC IB.

Consulting fallback is great here - but rough market for all.

Cornell - IB powerhouse to NYC - about 75-90 into IB each year?

IB timeline is the earliest of the bunch- very structured- do the work, be normal, it seems near guaranteed

Darden - Ok with location - Darden has been crushing it with overall employment outcomes as of late.

Seems good IB placement into DMV, Charlotte, Richmond banks, mid market, RX - unsure of IB numbers

Duke (WL) - Most lay prestige, love the location / geography, culture fit -

I'd love to be located in NC-east coast  longer term but for IB should target NYC first.

Likewise as Darden - unsure of NYC possibilities but good alum network.

Unsure of # of IB offers this year.

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Cons for IB:

Ross- more of a consulting school but seems fine for IB? Seem to party a lot.

Cornell-  Great, but IB recruiting is 2nd year driven mostly, got the sense of gatekeeping, cliquey, seems more typical IB profiles like B4, other banks, CPAs, etc.

Lot of grinders here, worst location of the bunch, constant NYC travel required?

Only concern re IB is could be shut out due to non-trad IB background (coming from small VC) or even social reasons if a 2nd year doesn't like you?

Consulting fallback here not as good though good changes happening with new immersion.

Darden- More of a consulting school but still seems to do well in IB - need to dig more into #s and banks.

Case method = unnecessary burden for IB. 
Academically  toughest of the bunch- genuine concern re balance with IB recruiting.

Culture not as good as Ross IMO. Student body more mature than Cornell?

Location ok, sleepier college town. Nice campus.

Duke- unsure of structure and if CMC/2nd yr led or how unstructured and success rate lately for IB offers. Mostly a consulting and gen mgmt school it seems?

Seems you're much more on your own for IB here - are most landing it or no?

Only school of the bunch that doesn't have grade non-disclosure (meh)

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Open to any BB or mid market banks that would be open to an entrepreneurial background. I can spin a good story, doing technicals and modeling now.

Geo pref: east coast/mid atlantic long term but open, Chicago or TX also ok. 

Should seriously target NYC as priority for initial IB.

Still want to go to Duke but not sure it's materially better for IB vs Ross or Cornell. Just like the school, area, etc.

If Duke lets me off this month, with $$ I'd likely enroll BUT need to confirm IB outcomes...

Thanks! Appreciate any thoughts on this.

You'd think Cornell would be an obvious choice but not that simple IMO...