I dinged Columbia!
They were taking too much time with the application, so I withdrew from the process – so thats one less variable for my decisions. Though I am still not sure if I’m going for an MBA, I am now sure that if I do, I’ll take LBS over Columbia – even if Columbia were to offer me a free ride (a long shot anyways…)
Five reasons why I prefer LBS over Columbia:
- LBS is much more global – almost 90% non-UK citizens, more than 60-70% non EU
- The students’ age / experience profile fits in better with my own preferences
- UK/Europe economy is in a better state than US, reduced risk of non-target sector employment
- Working visa for partners (if M decides to come, she doesn’t need to depend on a transfer within her current employer)
- 8 hours (overnight) journey to/from India (if M decides not to come, we can meet more often due to shorter, cheaper, and better air connectivity)
Does this mean LBS is a better school than Columbia? Absolutely not – both are great in their own different ways, and what matters when one is taking a call is to evaluate whats good for you - think beyond ratings! (Fall’09 applicants: this is for you!)
So am I going for LBS? Maybe, maybe not – I need another week to think thru. If I take tinydancer’s advice of following my gut feel, then I’ll pay the LBS fees right now! But I’m just giving my head one more chance to convince my heart!
Best luck to you and your family
8 hours flight is still really long. Me and my husband can barely handle 2 hours flight.
I didn’t know if you didnt’ get what I said here or in my post.
Here I meant to comment on 8 hours(overnight) journey to/from India is still a very long flight. I hope M decides to go with you then you don’t have to do 8 hours flight to visit each other.
To the last sentence on my post.
it’s a girl thing. When J and I were dating, often hear me say things like : I want you to want me. I want you to want come to the party. I want you to want to go shopping with me. …. my ‘I want you to want..’ syndrome. In this case, ‘I want the school to want me to visit and excite about me visiting ‘ Your M doesn’t have it? you are a lucky man 
hey oops,
sending you a PM
[...] Stanford and Wharton to run his own business this fall! With a similar slight of hand, Vidiviciveni gave Columbia a taste of the bitter pill they’ve gotten all too accustomed to dishing out to applicants – a ding! For him, it’s LBS or [...]
too bad i wont see you at columbia! but LBS is a wonderful school.. i hope you have a great time in london!
good luck!
Hey Oops, thanks for your comment on my post… Well, is your decision done? Are you coming to London?
~a
[...] How did Vidiviciveni turn the tables on Columbia? The answer is simple: reverse the ding! [...]