<p>Ive been accepted to the following three programs: Brown RUE, Penn LPS, and Columbia GS. Frankly, I am having trouble deciding which one to attend. Im 25, interested in business, and would like to go to Asia to work at some point. So, if I go to Brown I would either do COE or Applied Math and Econ, if I go to Columbia I would probably do Econ and Math, and if I go to UPenn I would probably do Math and Econ. I have essentially been given a free ride at Brown, nominal FA awards at Columbia and UPenn which means significant loans. The pros and cons of each program have been well documented on these boards so I would love some opinions about which program of these three would be the best fit. Thanks in advance...</p>
<p>By the way, if anyone else has been accepted for Fall 10 or is currently attending one of these programs, I would love to connect since we may be classmates in a couple months. Thanks again!</p>
<p>The path to Asia from Brown will be easier if you work at a US company with a presence there relative to Penn. However, there’s no question in my mind that a free ride is something you shouldn’t pass up. These schools are all peers and differences between them are more slight than anyone on this webpage is typically willing to admit. So to take on significant debt, and especially to do that when you’re already a bit older going in (so closer to wanting to start a family, possibly buy a home, etc) is just not a good idea.</p>
<p>Thought provoking…
Excellent advice, thanks…</p>
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<p>Sorry, what? Having worked for years throughout Asia, I’m gonna have to go ahead and disagree with you there. Brown is a non-entity compared to Penn and Columbia out here.</p>
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<p>I think you both agree. modestmelody basically has acknowledged that fact and says that since Brown is less prestigious than Penn or Columbia in Asia, working for a company that is as recognizable as Penn in Asia could help make up for that.</p>
<p>Correct, schrizto. </p>
<p>You’re not likely to go out and get your first posting for a company out in Asia. It just has not been an historically popular path (probably because we barely had any applicants from any country but Singapore and South Korea until recently-- the number of Chinese applicants has increased from 80 a year to almost 500 over the last five so this is likely changing).</p>
<p>But since I have a few friends who have worked for say, Credit Suisse or various big time NYC-based or European-based groups, I can imagine that it’s not too difficult to get to Asia if that’s your goal. Your path should just be through one of the US-based or European-based groups that has a presence in Asia. Then you ask to transfer there.</p>
<p>I think my “relative to Penn” part was a misplaced modifier. I meant that Penn is overall easier to get there, especially directly. Coming out of Brown the most likely path to Asia is going to come through a large corporation where you’ll start here first.</p>
<p>Assuming I continued onto an MBA right after I complete my bachelors (I already have significant work experience), would that change anyones opinion?</p>
<p>It would make Brown’s reputation abroad even less troublesome and the lack of financial aid elsewhere even more troublesome.</p>