<p>Hey all -
I’ve been admitted to both Penn and Berkeley for 2011, so now I have a difficult choice to make. I live an hour south of Berkeley, and obviously, Berkeley is 25k cheaper a year than Penn. I just visited both campuses, and I don’t mind living at either for four years. </p>
<p>The main problem is the prestige associated with a degree (which is what we’re really after eventually) from each of these schools. I am headed towards business, but didn’t apply into Wharton (didn’t think I’d get in), so I’m currently in economics for the College of Arts/Scienves for Penn. In both Penn and Berkeley, I’d try to transfer into their respective undergrad business programs. Wharton takes only about 90 transfers a year, and the only thing they consider is GPA. Haas has an application for second-years, and they usually take about 200 out of 400 applicants. Wharton is a 4 year program, Haas is 2 year. Average GPA for wharton internal transfer admits = 4.7, Average GPA for Haas admits = 4.3.</p>
<p>Which should I attend? Penn is obviously Ivy League, but there’s a chance I won’t be getting into Wharton at all (in which case, all my job interviewers will be asking “why not Wharton?”). Berkeley is a great school as well (Haas is 3rd in nation for undergrad bschool), close to home, cheaper, etc. </p>
<p>I've actually done quite a bit of research, and some of the testimony from Penn students and alumni in my position cite this. From the 2006 College Buzz Book from the Vault Career Library: "if you are a college of arts and scientes student like I was and interested in a position in finance, make sure you have your answer to the 'Why not Wharton?' question. It is bound to come up at every interview" (pg. 726)</p>
<p>This is the type of dilemma I'm worried I'd face.</p>
<p>answer: Wharton is a vocational school and I didn't feel the need to learn a trade. Instead, I wanted to learn something I enjoy and expand my mind.</p>
<p>As a Penn college student who landed a top level finance job - and went through quite a lot of interviews - I can tell you that you will not face the question "why not Wharton?". The similar question that you will face is "Why investment banking?" or "Why financial services?". Especially if you have nothing on your resume that shows that type of interest.</p>