Are you applying to Columbia, Stern, and/or Yale SOM and assuming they're "New York (or close to NY) MBA programs" or "finance-adjacent schools with strong recruiting"? Most applicants lump these three together because of geography or overlapping career outcomes. They shouldn't. And that mistake costs people admissions every single year.
Join us for a live, in-depth comparison of three elite East Coast MBA programs that couldn't be more different: Columbia Business School, NYU Stern, and Yale School of Management. This is a nuanced breakdown of what each school actually values, who thrives in each environment, and how you need to position your application differently for each one.
What We'll Cover:
The Myths Costing You Admissions: Why "they're all New York finance schools," "CBS is just Wharton-lite," "Stern is the backup," and "Yale SOM only wants do-gooders" are all misleading—and what each school actually wants.
What Each School Is Really Looking For: CBS wants high-impact operators who thrive under pressure and leverage New York's ecosystem with precision. Stern wants ambitious self-starters who create their own opportunities and move with entrepreneurial agility. Yale SOM wants principled leaders who think systemically about stakeholder impact and use business as a force for integrated solutions.
Culture Codes: What Actually Happens on Campus: How to determine which environment makes you come alive—CBS's fast-moving, results-driven pragmatism in the heart of global business; Stern's scrappy, entrepreneurial energy in Greenwich Village where students hustle and customize their own paths; or Yale SOM's collaborative, mission-oriented community where integrated thinking and social impact aren't afterthoughts but foundational.
Application Strategy That Actually Works: How to build your narrative from each school's perspective, what each school is really asking in their essays (CBS's leadership framing vs. Stern's "change" lens vs. Yale SOM's stakeholder questions), Round 1 vs. Round 2 timing strategy, and the biggest mistakes we see applicants make.
Who Should Apply Where + Live Q&A: Honest guidance on fit based on your background, career goals, and profile, plus real-time answers to your questions about applications and admissions.
If you're a Round 2 applicant applying this year or a Round 1 applicant planning for next cycle, understanding the nuanced differences between these schools is critical. CBS, Stern, and Yale SOM are all elite programs, but they select for fundamentally different qualities. Your job isn't to be "impressive;" it's to be the right fit.
Most applicants waste time and money applying to schools that don't align with who they are. They write generic essays about "leadership and New York opportunities" that could work for any of these programs. They get rejected, not because they aren't qualified, but because they didn't understand what each school actually wants.
This event will give you the clarity you need to make strategic decisions about where to apply and how to position yourself for maximum impact.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
After the event, if you're ready to discuss working together on your applications, reach out for a consultation. We'll talk through your profile, your goals, and how we can help you build a strategy that positions you for the schools that are actually right for you.
Not ready to commit but want expert feedback on your candidacy? Request a written profile evaluation. We'll assess your strengths, identify gaps, and give you honest guidance on where you stand with CBS, Stern, Yale SOM, or other programs you're considering.