I came across this on the s2s discussion boards.
Great insight on the difference between Harvard, Wharton and Stanford! So here goes…
“H/W/S” has become shorthand for generic Top American Business School, but in reality the schools have different strengths, educational philosophies, and emphases in admissions. They are anything but generic. These are some difference between these schools:
Approach to Business Education: Harvard and Stanford are generalist schools and Wharton is a specialist school. Harvard has traditionally taught all courses via the case study method; Wharton has traditionally employed a mixture — some case study method and some alternative methods especially in quantitative classes. The philosophical difference is simple — a generalist program focuses more on the integration of all subject matter; a specialist program focuses more on the selected discipline. Clearly, the learning perspectives of these approaches are dissimilar. The generalist viewpoint is one that is all encompassing; the specialist viewpoint is about gaining depth in a particular area of expertise. Combine the above approaches with the learning methodologies and the real differences between generalist and specialist programs become clear. Let me explain. Today, the phrase — “the case study method” — is usually applied to all programs. All programs do use cases in their classes. However, only generalist programs employ the case study method. The difference is in how the cases are used. In a specialist school, cases are used to illustrate given circumstances in a particular discipline — a certain type of marketing problem. The focus is on a particular issue in marketing. But, at generalist schools, there is more cross-discipline integration in terms of the cases used. The marketing professor in a generalist program is going to see if you have incorporated the knowledge you have gained from your other classes — finance, operations, strategic planning, etc. — into your marketing case. Technically, the latter is what was originally called the case study method.
Differences in Admission: The Admission Boards of these schools differ in size and in attitude. Harvard and Wharton have eight members; Stanford has six members. The size of the board does not affect the applicant. The attitudes do. Again, the philosophical differences of the programs have an effect here. And, these philosophical differences come into play in the essay questions. Look at the essay questions from these 3 programs and consider them in terms of philosophy and attitude. A. Harvard starts with a leadership question and then asks about a leader/hero/role model who affected your development, and later asks for 3 accomplishments. HBS is interested in those who have corporate and global viewpoints. Leadership potential is what they are looking for. This is definitely a generalist philosophy and there is a much more hard core attitude behind the questions. B. Wharton leads with the factors that led to one’s current position and immediately follows up with goals. They then want to know how one leads a team. These questions clearly illustrate their philosophical approach — what is a candidate’s expertise in knowledge or skill. Leaders with consistent track records are very much on their mind. Their attitude is much more point specific. C. Stanford leads with an essay that wants to know what matters most and then moves on to the standard goals question. Stanford wants to know the person behind the facts — the grounding principles that drive a leader. Stanford takes a humanistic attitude and combines it with its all-encompassing/generalist philosophy. Clearly, if you understand the philosophy and attitude, you then understand that you cannot possibly tell H/W/S the exact same thing – whether it be your goals, your insights, your skills, your strategies, your qualities.
Different kinds of students: I do think that the student at HBS is different than the student at Wharton and the student at Stanford. The programs’ philosophical differences and attitudes certainly are reflected in their student bodies. HBS = competitive drive; Wharton = mingling individuality; Stanford = laid back spirit. I strongly recommend that applicants visit the schools if possible
