<p>I have strongly considered both of these programs as my first choice, but when it comes down to it both of these institutions have pros and cons.</p>
<p>So, which program would be better for IB/Wall Street - finance at NYU Stern or economics at Columbia?</p>
<p>NYU Stern is a great school…but it’s no Columbia.</p>
<p>They are both great schools…Columbia doesn’t really have a business school though so the education you would get there would be totally different than NYU because Columbia is more liberal arts and whatnot. You really have to think if you are 110% sure that you want to go into business. And Columbia’s Core Curriculum combines studies of history, art, music ect and you might not be required to take those courses at Stern. So you really have to think about what classes you would want to take.
If you are deciding whether to do ED to one or the other, then I understand why it’s hard… They are both amazing schools. Both schools would also give you equal opportunities in internships in Wall Street and other finance areas !
If you are applying RD to both I would just wait until you receive the acceptances and then decide! Good luck !</p>
<p>IMO, Columbia by a considerable margin.</p>
<p>Stern will probably give you a better technical foundation, but Columbia is likely more highly-regarded.</p>
<p>If you want to do anything in Finance / End up on the Street then Stern. I cannot give you an unbiased answer, but I’ll highlight some points and to get more info you can read some of my other posts: </p>
<p>Job Opps/Internships/Networking
There are awesome opportunities to get into finance from Columbia (i.e. Most of the BBs will also recruit at Columbia like they do at Stern). However, Stern gets tons and tons of smaller firms that won’t go to Columbia (boutiques & MMs). Also b/c Stern is known for its finance program there are many areas within finance you can end up in: AM, ER, S&T, Capital Markets, & of course IB. Alternatively people also end up on the buyside but that is much harder to do and only a handful of top students usually get these offers (Hedge Funds more so than PE). But b/c you are in NYC and provided that you can land a great sell-side internship your junior or sophomore year it is very possible to leverage that into buy-side offer if you would like. </p>
<p>Academics
While business school itself is not regarded as a very tough, the Stern Curve does however make things difficult. The curve allows for 35% (A, A-) and while you may think that shouldn’t be too hard to achieve you have to keep in mind that the students that come to Stern are some of the smartest, most brilliant people you will ever meet. About half of the students here have 2300+ stats and the demographic breakdown is 60-70% (Asian & Indian). With that said, a major misconception is that b/c of the competition Stern is a cutthroat environment but that is not the case. All of your classmates will just set the bar higher, and that is something you have to live up to. You will be an environment that will stretch your capacity and force you demand the best from yourself.</p>
<p>Also if you are passionate about other subjects Stern allows you to easily double major either within Stern or one of the many schools outside of Stern. </p>
<p>Travel
NYU and Stern (67% of students go abroad at least once) will offer you the best programs out of any college to travel abroad. NYU has the undisputed best study abroad program out of any college as evidenced by the numerous students outside of NYU who apply to NYU’s programs over their own school’s programs. By my senior year I will have gone abroad for courses with travel components, semester abroad, etc. 4-5 times. The fact that Stern not only allows and encourages you to do it but provides you with an all expense paid trip abroad your junior year to one of 3 locations(Asia, Europe, or South America) is unreal and amazing. NYU is devoted to making sure that you can truly experience a global education. </p>
<p>If you are set on finance - believe me this is probably one of the best schools you can choose to attend, and it is unreal the caliber of students you will meet here. If you have any additional questions feel free to ask/PM me.</p>
<p>the students that come to Stern are some of the smartest, most brilliant people you will ever meet.</p>
<p>Academically speaking, the kids at Columbia are going to be of a much higher caliber than the kids at Stern. Stern may be difficult to get into, but it isn’t nearly as competitive as Columbia. </p>
<p>Overall, both these schools are great and you’ll be in great shape coming out with a degree from either. But, with them each costing the same amount, there’s really no reason to go to Stern if you get into Columbia.</p>
<p>Columbia will give you a lot more opportunities, especially if you decide to switch into something else.</p>
<p>BiologyMaster64 is definitely right about switching. If you decide later on that finance is not for you and you would for example rather do consulting then you are better off at Columbia. Out of the MBB only BCG recruits for Stern undergrads so if consulting is what you are considering then Columbia would be a better choice.</p>
<p>Stern’s strengths are finance, accounting, international business, and marketing. If you are dead set in any of these fields then I would say come to Stern. Not to make this a Columbia vs NYU argument but in response to ShowShowShow’s comment - - Stern is indeed a very competitive place and many if not most students who get into Stern and come here are students who have also gotten into Top 10/15 schools such as Duke, UChicago, Northwestern, Georgetown, CMU, Cornell, Brown, JHU and even Columbia. I have even met several transfers from Columbia at Stern, and having talked with them, they claim that they made the switch only b/c of the school’s reputation & recruiting in finance.</p>