Harvard vs. MIT vs. Penn (LSM) vs. Columbia

Penn LSM 100%

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I’d do Penn LSM bc it wil give you the most optionality and best on campus experience. You will have a much stronger network for finance in both BB and EB than the other schools. If you decide the healthcare aspect isn’t for you anymore you can drop it and still be in Wharton or vice versa. Any Penn alum and many others will recognize the program for whatever you want to do in either field and that will carry a lot of weight. Def avoid MIT for finance given other options. C over H if you really want to be in the city but would not recommend this college experience.

Penn LSM > H > C > MIT

Biggest regret was not going to Harvard, at the end fo the day all of these schools are going to give you the optionality to do whatever you want as long as you work for it. The marginal difference in opportunity for you at Penn LSM will be far negated by Harvard's network and prestigious brand name (there is truly no other school school that has this effect besides maybe Stanford). I personally made the mistake of choosing another school over Harvard and deeply regret it, although I thoroughly enjoyed my time in college. 

Harvard is just a different beast, the network, the name, the people, etc. If I had the chance to go back I would take Harvard. 

currently at columbia, my advice would be go to Harvard. Columbia has a strong presence in IB and a growing one in PE/VC, but Harvard has the most established recruiting platforms to banks + consulting + the buy-side. Just my observations, but I think most would agree 

Harvard no question.

What the fuck is it with high schoolers knowing about WSO jesus christ

If you’re dead set on biotech investing, I would go to the LSM program at Penn. Met one kid who went through this program and they were leagues beyond everyone else in terms of understanding industry dynamics / company lifecycle / drug discovery etc. They managed to land a buyside seat at a top HC fund without much of a problem. 
 

HC, especially biotech, is incredibly niche and there is no substitute for the coursework in the field. I can’t imagine even a top Harvard grad would have a shot at most of these shops given the background requires. I imagine if you go look at the profiles for Baker Bros, most will have an advanced degree in HC. 
 

However, I would still pick Harvard without a doubt and never look back. It’s impossible to beat the international reputation and it will open more doors if you ever change your mind (during college and after). If you’re still set on HC investing, you won’t have a problem getting into top HC IBD group. 

Why not just reach out to people at each school? I’m sure there are people that got into Harvard and turned down LSM/MIT and vice versa. But, if you’re 100% set on healthcare, I’d go to Penn LSM. They have reserved spots at literally every healthcare investment bank, and the network of both alums and the program board covers probably every firm in the healthcare industry. The senior thesis class brings in all the c-suite execs of large pharma, partners at HFs, VCs, and Investment banks, and then executives from “in-vogue” biotechs. I have a HS friend in the program going to Perceptive right out of undergrad, which I think speaks to how the industry views them. Plus, you get the standard Wharton/Penn network if you choose to do tech or some other finance role.

If you’re not set on healthcare, I’d go to Harvard. I think the alumni network and students there speak for themselves. You’re also in a biotech hub as well so you can be proactive and see still get that exposure. Plus, I think there are benefits of not going to a school with an explicit undergrad business program. You can really study anything you want ranging from Art History to Chemistry to traditional Econ, and you can still land yourself at Matrix.

Personally don’t think any of the rest are strong contenders. I don’t know anyone who went to MIT over Harvard, even if they swayed more toward research and wanting a business program. There’s constant cross pollination between the two schools so whatever you’re missing/wanting to do at MIT, chances are you can do it while you’re at Harvard.