Stanford/Wharton - Advice Appreciated!

Colleges and Universities A-Z Stanford University
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<p>I've been accepted to the undergraduate program at both Stanford and Wharton and was looking for some advice about which to choose. I figure there is no "wrong" choice as they are both great places to study and I am honoured to even consider this. </p>

<p>I would like to study economics/business and work in banking after graduation. I am wondering which school is more highly respected or would lead to a better career, and which could get me a higher salary. (In practical terms). I am an international but would like to remain in the US so this is quite important, unfortunately. </p>

<p>For my more personal considerations - I'm also a fairly laid back guy so I'm wondering what kind of environment there is at these schools. Is one considerably more social than the other? Are people friendly? Etc.</p>

<p>In terms of global prestige (I would eventually like to work abroad, in Asia/the Middle East) which school do you guys think has a better image?</p>

<p>For the future and my career - is it better to the BSE at Wharton or major in Economics from Stanford then try to do an MBA later on? </p>

<p>Lastly, I was wondering if rejecting Wharton/Stanford would mean that it would possibly be harder to then get accepted there for an MBA program. </p>

<p>I would appreciate any advice and help from you guys and have cross posted this thread to both university subforums. </p>

<p>Cheers!</p>

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<p>In the business world, the two are equally respected. Neither will lead to a ‘better’ or ‘higher-paying’ career, and both are recruited at heavily by firms in finance.</p>

<p>I can’t speak from personal experience at Penn, but I’ve heard a lot of not-so-nice things about Wharton - that they’re arrogant, etc. My intuition is that Stanford is more social; I’ve heard that Wharton students tend to self-segregate from the rest of the student body. Take these with a grain of salt, since I don’t have personal experience with Wharton - this is just what I’ve heard from friends who chose Stanford over Wharton (two of them my freshman year chose Stanford over Huntsman and M&T), and what I’ve read on these forums.</p>

<p>In terms of global prestige, it’s hard to say. UPenn definitely doesn’t have Stanford’s reputation (see [this](<a href=“http://www.timeshighereducation.co.uk/world-university-rankings/2011-2012/reputation-rankings.html]this[/url]”>http://www.timeshighereducation.co.uk/world-university-rankings/2011-2012/reputation-rankings.html)</a>), but I don’t know about Wharton specifically. My intuition is that in the circles that matter (top-flight business circles, that is), people will know and respect both. If I had to say which one had a better reputation abroad, it’s probably Stanford because it does have more general prestige.</p>

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<p>In general, business degrees are better left to the MBA; that’s why schools like HYPS don’t offer undergrad business. Usually, to go far with a business degree, you need an MBA. An econ degree from Stanford will take you just as far as an undergrad business degree from Wharton.</p>

<p>If you care for rankings, Stanford’s #1 in business according to US News and #1 in economics.</p>

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<p>No, they don’t have a record of who was accepted at the university as an undergrad and turned it down.</p>

<p>Are you interested in pairing business and engineering (like the M&T program at Wharton)? If so, you should look into [url=<a href=“http://msande.stanford.edu%5DMS&E%5B/url”>http://msande.stanford.edu]MS&E[/url</a>].</p>

<p>My advice: forget about which will lead to a better career or salary, as they are equal in that respect. As you said, you really can’t go wrong with either, so this should come down to which environment you like more. Are you able to visit both?</p>

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<p>I really appreciate your detailed and thoughtful reply. I may not be able to visit both as it would be a possibly unnecessary financial burden but I will certainly look in to it - your reply definitely has me leaning towards Stanford. Again, thank you very much!</p>

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<p>I just want to say that my S loves Stanford and one of things that he likes the best is the laid back mentality of the school. I can’t speak for UPenn, but in Stanford the kids, as a whole, are really humble and easy going. They all help eachother and collaborate. Its a very easy place to live. </p>

<p>I think there aid for kids who want to visit for admit weekend but can’t afford it. I may be wrong but I would definitely call and find out. Good luck with your choice. Great choices to have. You’re very fortunate…</p>

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<p>I think that there are going to be many kids in the same boat. If you got into Stanford and applied to Penn, the you most likely got in also. With that being said, cross admit rates show that most will matriculate to Stanford. My S2 also got into Wharton and will be going to Stanford… I think it’s a no brainer for him since his older brother is at Stanford and absolutely loves it. Good luck on your decision and congratulations.</p>

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<p>Thank you guys. Think I will go for Stanford!</p>

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<p>Congrats on your choices! I myself is a Wharton (actually, it’s more accurate to say Penn) waitlist but I’m heading to Stanford with no regrets! I think at Stanford you get the opportunity to surround yourself with people of different interests, whereas in Penn a lot of the people you spend time with will probably be those in Wharton focused on business. Since you describe yourself as laidback I think Stanford is for you! :D</p>

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<p>I am also new admit! I hope to meet you on campus this fall!</p>