Research MBA Programs

Hey guys,

Ok so I want to start getting everything ready for my application around 2012 (I'm a recent college graduate and studying for the GMAT of course). I have been looking at schools that I like and that I think I have a shot at getting into. (I'm still applying to HBS and Wharton cause you never know right?)
Anyways, I came up with a list of schools that I like and that I think I should definitely keep in mind just in case I don't get in those other two (which is very likely cause they're extremely picky).
I want to specialize in finance and I would love it if you guys could tell me which of the schools on this list have a strong finance approach. I want to narrow down the list by factors including finance approach, number of electives, location, etc.
Here it is:
- Dartmouth College (Tuck)
- Duke University (Fuqua)
- Cornell University (Johnson)
- NYU (Stern)
- UCLA (Anderson)
- University of Virginia (Darden)
- UNC (Kenan- Flager)
- Carnegie Mellon (Tepper)
- Yale University
- USC (MArshall)
- Georgetown (McDonough)
- University of MIichigan (Ross)

As of today, I'm leaning towards Carnegie Mellon cause I've seen their curriculum and it's really innovative and it has a bunch of incredible electives. I like NYU too but your input would definitely make a difference. Oh, ok quick profile check: 3.3 GPA, Economics undergrad, 23 (just in case)
Thanks guys!

Can't say much about the schools on your list, but I will say something: Carnegie Mellon's Tepper MBA is:
- quant-heavy: not so much case method as lectures and models
- EXTREMELY intense: knew someone who went to Tepper and he said that for the first semester (or was it year?), he didn't get much sleep. Guess it prepares you for the i banking hours
- top notch research: I believe they currently have four Nobel prize winners, more than Harvard of Chicago (or so they said a year ago)

Agree with the above. Also, I would profile some of the companies you work for -- that will give you a sense for where they source their talent from.

Good luck!
Aveek Guha, President, https://mbadaycamp.com/school_prospects.php