<p>Yea this is pointless.</p>
<p>To the OP, choose between Penn and Columbia based on which you like better. If you like diverse learning, debating, and general "worldy" kind of things choose Columbia. If you'd like to focus on something specific like Wharton or want a really awesome social life go to Penn. Penn imo has a nicer campus too mainly because I think CU is too small. Both are great and at this point, there's no great advantage in going to one over another.</p>
<p>Venkat89-- You didn't mention the fact that Penn recently changed over 25% of their classes from ~20-25 students to 19 students--- so they can report a greater "% of classes <20 students". Also, Columbia has a higher "Peer Assessment" (prestige) than Penn, preceded only by HYPMS. You brought USNews up. I didn't. </p>
<p>Bottom Line: Both are great. Prestige doesn't matter at all. But both are la creme de la creme.</p>