Hi guys, haven't visited WSO for a long time but started to read the forums again as I am planning to apply for MBA next year in round 2. My goal is to transition from Big 4 into either MBB or GS/MS ibanking. My dream schools are H/S/W (I am sure I am not alone) and Wharton-Lauder program sounds very attractive especially due to my international background.
I've read the forums and gathered a great deal of helpful detail about Wharton but noticed that people bring up its location as one of the negative points when compared to all other schools (HBS, CBS, Tuck).
Can someone shed some light on what exactly people dislike about Philly location compared to schools like CBS (crazier than Philly?) and Tuck (living in the middle of nowhere?).
Philly just doesn't compare to cities such as NYC, Chicago, LA, or SF in terms of culture, nightlife, dining, etc
edit: lol at getting hit with all this MS for stating a fact
How does Philly compare to HBS and Sloan's location?
Philly and Boston suffer from the same issues (and Philly is sort of a shittier Boston). Both cities are provincial, have terrible nightlife / Victorian alcohol laws and have the worst sports fans. There a huge difference when it comes to school location though, Cambridge is a very nice area while Penn is located in an area that is at best super ugly and at worst unsafe (Boston is overall much wealthier and prettier than Philly too).
Different people look for different things in a MBA program, but access to a world class city is high on a lot of people list and Philly just does not compare on that level.
People that shit on Philly have never been there. City is great.
1) the culture of Philadelphia is tied with Chicago. The PHL art museum and Barnes is combined one of the best collections of art in this country. They just opened the museum of the American revolution which is redic. You have the liberty bell, where the constitution was signed, grave of Ben Franklin, etc etc. History, Art, etc.
2) food scene is amazing. Vetri, Amis, Tululas garden/table, Amada, I could go on and on.
3) location. Try getting to Boston, NYC, Baltimore, D.C. From anywhere else.
4) City - you live and play in an urban environment. LA, not so much.
In conclusion, no city is NYC. I live in Chicago and it can't compare. But Philadelphia is a great city and people who shit on it basically don't know what's up. They'll shit on any place that isn't NYC.
Hey TNA, thanks so much for this detailed response. Full disclosure: I live in NYC now but lived in a smaller city previously, so I know the feeling that NYC is incomparable to everything else.
I feel like I will enjoy being in a city like Philly for couple of years before moving back to NYC. Will hope for the best with my applications.
Visited philly when I was applying to Wharton and absolutely fell in love with the city. City has so many cool areas/neighborhoods and is cheap af. Never really got all the Philly hate...
It's from people who aren't from or who have never been to Philly. And people who talk about food or culture, yet know nothing of either. The PHL art scene is amazing and their food scene is on par with all the great cities. But yeah, philly blows har har. Same people they shit on restaurants on yelp and don't know really food service.
Philly is awesome -- fun social scene and one of the best food cities in the country. People who shit on it are the losers in college who were "NYC or bust."
Same people existing in a 3brm flex.
Thanks guys, I wasn't expecting to hear so many good things about Philly from previous research but glad I asked it here.
As @TNA has said, Philly has actually become a much more lively city over the past decade or so. I grew up right outside of Philly and was never really a fan of the city. I was back visiting friends recently and was shocked by how much the city has grown up. There's actually a lot to do in terms of bars, restaurants, culture, sports, etc transportation to major cities is easy and it's not quite as expensive as some of the other major cities. People joke that its basically the 6th borough of NY now because many people commute from Philly to NY
I think the rise of Philly is actually making schools like Penn and Wharton more attractive and personally, I like Philly more than Boston based on my limited experience with both cities.
Bottom Line, visit the city for yourself and decide on your own. Don't listen to the people that beat on Philly because it just isn't true anymore.
Thanks mrharveyspecter visiting philly is definitely in my plans before I apply next year, but thought it would also be helpful to get other people's thoughts who have lived there for some time.
The Philly hate is so played out at this point. TNA and others covered all the major points, but there are tons of advantages to Philly. Every buddy of mine who comes to visit (many of whom live in Boston/NYC) has a great time and is shocked with what Philly has to offer.
Thanks @ai215" , glad your buddies are liking philly when they visit. Just curious if you are anyhow connected to Wharton and have experience with the school?
Sorry, I don't, no bschool plans on the immediate horizon, but if that were to change, I would definitely be very interested in Wharton. Just wanted to throw in my 2c about the city itself, as a resident that grew up in the surrounding area (also lived in Boston/Madrid and travel often, so not some Philly homer). Would hate to see people passing on a top-notch program without at least visiting and judging it for themselves.
Mostly because this site is filled with prestige whores who want to live near boarding schools. Don't get me wrong, I like NY but would absolutely be thrilled to be in Houston, Chicago, Philly, etc.
Wharton grad here. I personally loved my 2 years in Philadelphia. I worked in NYC, London, and SF before business school and didn't expect great things moving to PHL. I lived in Rittenhouse Square along with most students. There are hundreds of restaurants, bars, coffee shops, etc. nearby. The Schuylkill River and Fairmount Park are closeby and great for outdoors running / club sports. Beyond Rittenhouse Square (part of Center CIty), my other favorite neighborhoods include Old City, Fishtown, and South Philly. I suggest you check out Philly for yourself. Best of luck with applications!
Wow, thanks for your response. Just curious whether students find their own housing for 2 years in philly or do most people stay in school sponsored building? I will try to research about this online, but any response about your housing experience would be very much appreciated.
I am sure the housing life is not as crazy as for undergrads, but having some fun here and there would add a lot to MBA experience.
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