Undecided - 02-03-2022 | Clear Admit DecisionWire

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February 3, 2022 12:31am ET

Enrolled: Undecided

Admitted: Berkeley / Haas $

$175000

, Columbia $

$160000

, NYU Stern $

$50000

, Stanford GSB , Yale SOM

Applied: Berkeley / Haas, Columbia, Harvard Business School, NYU Stern, Stanford GSB, Yale SOM

Entering Year: 2022

Post MBA Career: Entrepreneurship

GRE: 328

GPA: 3.5

Location: Los Angeles, CA

Notes:

Factors Influencing My Decision:
Debating between GSB, CBS, and Haas. Currently a mechanical engineer looking to pivot into entrepreneurship (tech pm/strategy as a backup). Love California, love New York. Leaning strongly toward GSB but frightened by the price tag.

Advice I have For Other Applicants:
Don't self select out of schools/scholarships.

Like (5)

Show Comments (9) Last: February 16, 2022

alexbr4 Verified User. Likes Earned: 1577 Very well done! Hard to look past Stanford, not forgetting that they offer needs-based financial aid, which may help? (0)

anon19180 Likes Earned: 5 Congratulations on the amazing admits! Was this need based aid from CBS or merit based? Asking because I was admitted to CBS and have heard nothing about need based or merit based aid (1)

anon62617 Likes Earned: 7 @alexbr4 OP here, no aid at GSB. I have saved too much in retirement accounts (50% of paycheck) and GSB counts that against me. (0)

anon62617 Likes Earned: 7 @anon19180 OP here, I hear CBS takes their time when announcing need/merit fellowship. I got a merit-based fellowship and I got it at the same time I got my financial aid award letter (no need-based aid). (2)

anon10646 Likes Earned: 763 How much support or savings do you have that can get you through some of the lean years on your entrepreneurial endeavors? Saving $160-175k+ interest could give you a lot more breathing room and freedom towards your efforts being realized. Although given your entrepreneurship direction indicates your standing on the risk spectrum and GSB gives a unique possibility and maybe best launching pad for you ideas. (1)

eliot Verified User. Likes Earned: 1857 Congrats on your impressive array of acceptances and scholarship to top schools. These are excellent programs that can help you achieve your career goals. Given your tech background, tech entrepreneurial interests, (or tech pm/strategy as a backup) and your love of California, it sounds like it comes down to a full ride at Haas vs no scholarship at Stanford. Obviously, both are great programs that have deep ties to the Bay Area tech scene. It sounds like you have a strong preference for Stanford. So, the question is, is a $175k difference in price enough to convert you from GSB to Haas? I would focus your due diligence on answering that question. Be sure to attend admit events, talk to current students, alums, etc. Best of luck. (1)

anon60923 Likes Earned: 14 Congrats! The decision seems to be between GSB and Haas if entrepreneurship/tech is the focus. New York's great also. Can't top Stanford, but the financial benefit from Haas could be mental relief for pursuing entrepreneurship and still have excellent access to the valley as well. In any case, you can't go wrong. (1)

anon13071 Likes Earned: 19 These are fantastic results. I hope Alex and Graham cover this on their podcast because I imagine a lot of other candidates often decide between full ride at Haas vs sticker price at GSB. (0)

alexbr4 Verified User. Likes Earned: 1577 More details on this decision in this episode of Wire Taps: https://www.clearadmit.com/2022/02/wire-taps-215/ (0)