Cornell Johnson or UNC KF? Both with full scholarships

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Fortunate enough to be admitted to both Cornell Johnson and UNC Kenan-Flager full-time MBA programs with full scholarships. Admitted to Ross and Darden as well with no money but missed on the very top schools, and have decided that the difference between my admits is not big enough to justify paying $120k more. I can apply for the Dean's Fellows program at UNC (from what I've heard you are usually accepted if you apply); would be a Park Fellow at Cornell.

I have 4 years of marketing experience for F100 companies: 2 years at a big tech company and two years at a commercial bank. Looking to transition to management consulting after the MBA.

I grew up in California but have lived in NYC for the last two years. Post-MBA I am fairly open as far as location, although I do not want to move back to the West Coast. I do like NYC but the cost of living in Charlotte or somewhere similar (Johnson places some consultants in Pittsburgh for example) is appealing too. Consulting pay is the same regardless of location so that can make a big difference.

I have talked extensively with the presidents of the consulting clubs and heads of the career centers at both schools, so have a good handle on the consulting placement. Cornell does place a few more people at MBB each year, although UNC has very strong relationships with McKinsey and Deloitte. I like my fit and interactions with students at UNC a bit more, while Cornell is slightly higher ranked (16 vs 18, although some argue there is a "tier" between the two schools) and has the institution-wide prestige I don't think UNC can match.

Interested in hearing some other people's thoughts.

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by MargaretStrother » Mon Mar 07, 2016 10:58 am
First of all, congratulations on your highly desirable quandary. You must have put together some terrific applications!
So many of the attributes of the two schools are equal -- ranking, class size etc -- that you may want to start exploring the subjective side of the issue: Ithaca and Chapel Hill are rather different climates and cultures, and you might feel like a better fit with one or the other. You might be attracted to Cornell's "ivy league" status, or to UNC's sports scene.
Full disclosure: I'm partial to Cornell. I particularly appreciate the strong connection between Johnson and NYC -- that Cornell express bus zooms students back and forth between the two cities at lightening speed, and the school is clearly committed to making the most of the ties between Cornell and Wall Street. I don't know that you need to worry so much about post-MBA location; any top business school will get you into MBB in a major urban center. Think about how you want to spend the next two years, where and with whom.

You're in an enviable position, so enjoy your decision-making process!

Good luck,
Margaret Strother
Margaret Strother
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Stacy Blackman Consulting

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