Booth vs Columbia

[mossy695]

I was accepted to both Chicago Booth and Columbia Business School, but I'm not sure which school to attend. I am a finance guy and plan to recruit into BB IBD after graduation with a long-term PE outlook. I'm from the midwest, and think that I would fit in well with Chicago's culture. However, my fiancee is coming with and if we were to move out to NYC after graduation that would be tough on her career (we could, obviously, always stay in Chicago or even go to another city altogether depending on what options present themselves to us).

I like both schools and am obviously delighted at having the "problem" that I do. What are your thoughts?

[DanaJ]

I think Booth is stronger in finance, IMHO. They also tend to do more on the quant side, which will obviously be helpful for your IB career. However, here's the deal: Columbia is pretty neat too and it has some famous finance alums (ever heard of Warren Buffet and his newly appointed fund manager who is a Columbia MBA as well?). It's also smack in the middle of it all in NYC, so networking might be even easier.

It comes down to what you actually want: more rigorous finance training and the brand power OR networking and staying in NYC. If your fiancee will be displeased with moving to Chicago, then I really would say do what she says The most successful IBankers I've met so far are those with the most stable marriages, cause you always need someone to back you up for that kind of job.

[mossy695]

I think Booth is stronger in finance, IMHO. They also tend to do more on the quant side, which will obviously be helpful for your IB career. However, here's the deal: Columbia is pretty neat too and it has some famous finance alums (ever heard of Warren Buffet and his newly appointed fund manager who is a Columbia MBA as well?). It's also smack in the middle of it all in NYC, so networking might be even easier.

It comes down to what you actually want: more rigorous finance training and the brand power OR networking and staying in NYC. If your fiancee will be displeased with moving to Chicago, then I really would say do what she says The most successful IBankers I've met so far are those with the most stable marriages, cause you always need someone to back you up for that kind of job.

Thanks for the response, Dana. I think the SO would rather live in Chicago, but that might significantly restrict my recruiting opportunities postgrad.

Does anyone here work in IB who could opine on the relative reputations of one versus the other?

[Jessica@VeritasPrep]

First of all, CONGRATULATIONS!!

I am a Booth graduate (also considered Columbia). I met my husband at Booth. While we LOVED Chicago, we both took internships in New York and moved to NYC afterwards (my husband was in investment banking).

But, truly, for investment banking you can't go wrong with either school. If you want to go to NY for an internship or after school, that will absolutely be an option with either degree. If you want to stay in Chicago (work for a smaller branch office IBD or PE office) then you are better off at Booth.

Like you said, it is a high class problem and you can't go wrong. I'd listen to your fiancee on this one (although she'd end up loving either city).

Feel free to ask more questions - I feel like I have some expertise in this area!!

Jessica