Harvard Business School vs. Stanford GSB

I was shooting for GSB for many of the above-mentioned reasons. Although, I didn’t get in and will be attending HBS (can’t complain lol)

HBS obviously carries a very, very strong legacy, but tough to argue that GSB is not on a better trajectory given its competitive position and adaptability relative to the massive, slow-changing Harvard machine. There is also a tangible difference in culture between the schools that does lead to a vastly different experience.

Been a few years, but I was actually in the opposite position. HBS was my first choice but was rejected. Got in at GSB and ended up having an amazing experience so no regrets!

Would absolutely take HBS, not because of any material difference in prestige, but because Palo Alto sucks compared to Boston. Not even on the same level, despite the better weather. The whole region below SF is very sterile.

I’d take GSB. As noted, both schools open the same doors, so I’d prefer the more enjoyable (relative) experience. I’m also interested in PE post-mba, and GSB has an incredible placement track record. I believe the con of a smaller alumni base given the smaller class size is far outweighed by the pros that come with a small cohort.

I haven't lived in the bay area (spent a lot of time there for business/leisure though) and lived in Boston for awhile--Boston/Cambridge is the best area out there for a college or grad student, in my opinion.

It feels like every other person is in their 20s with a top degree/pursuing a top degree. It's a great city with tons to do and very small/manageable/walkable compared to pretty much any other large US city. It has its drawbacks like anywhere else, but if I could get a world class education at HBS and get to spend 2 years in Allston/Cambridge, I'd jump at it.

Palo Alto is awesome too, but isn't my personal style and I feel like I'd get bored there more quickly. Totally understand it will be better for others, but I wouldn't knock Boston.

Have lived in both areas and would take the Boston area over Silicon Valley in a heart beat. So much more history, culture ( real culture). The original melting pot. Totally different vibes. Full disclosure - from the northeast so I connect with that vibe. Although both are quite liberal, it's acceptable to have alternative views in the northeast. SV is so open minded it turns out to be the most closed minded environment I've ever seen. Try smoking a cigar in public (at the park) in the Bay Area. Almost impossible to do.

Made a similar, albeit different choice (HLS vs SLS). I chose HLS and don’t regret it. In contrast to a lot of people on this thread, I think Harvard’s bigger class size is a huge advantage. Greater diversity among the student body makes for more interesting class discussions, and the buyside network you build at HBS is just going to be larger than it would be at GSB. Alumni loyalty among the Harvard professional schools is also extremely high, so the size is also an advantage later in life if you want to lateral to a different/niche area of finance or investing.

As to Boston vs Palo Alto, I think Boston wins hands down but to each their own.

Wrt recruiting advantages, I can’t speak to the business schools. But often SLS people make the same arguments about recruiting for elite NYC law firms (I.e. everyone wants SLS grads, and because so few want to go to NYC they have an easier time recruiting for the top firms compared to HLS). On the law side, the numbers don’t support that contention. Even when adjusting for class size, Stanford doesn’t come close to Harvard’s placement at Wachtell, Cravath, S&C, etc... If it were really easier to get Wachtell (which pays $390K starting btw) from SLS, why do they only have 3 associates at the firm, when HLS has 32?

Finally, it’s also worth considering where you want to end up after graduating. At SLS, for example, the vast majority of grads stay in California. If you know you want to be on the East Coast, be conscious that at GSB you may not have as many familiar faces following you to NYC.