Hi there,
I got into both Columbia and Yale for graduate studies in medicine. Columbia’s grad school dominates in the field I want to study in but it’s a bigger program (50 kids). Yale is much more tight-knit and has a greater brand recognition overall, though not particularly in my field of medicine.
I eventually want to work for Big Pharma/ transfer into one of the top law schools to work on healthcare policy. I won’t be studying in the field of my graduate program.
What would you recommend?
In terms of fit, both work for me.
What exactly is the major?
You are obviously smart, so you should easily see that you should study at the place that offers the program you are more interested in. I am a little surprised by this question. It’s not exactly like you are asking if you should go to Podunk State or Yale.
Columbia would be the clear pick for me if you want the best chance at high achievement. But really, you can’t exactly go. wrong with either.
The next dividing line might be financial costs.
Columbia. At the grad level, the fit of the program to support your long-term goals should be your most important consideration.
If you want to use the grad program as a springboard for admission to law school, for a joint degree program, then you want to look at opportunities for admission to Columbia vs. Yale law programs for grad students from that university’s own, other programs. As one of the smallest top law schools, Yale may be more difficult to get into as a joint degree candidate. At the same time, Yale – as the law school with the reputation as the most academic, least practice-of-law oriented – may be more open to joint degree candidates. Bottom line, research options to be admitted as a joint degree candidate at each school and go from there.
If I’ve misconstrued your goal, my apologies.
You can’t go wrong with either school. I’d visit both and go with your personal preference.
No, I appreciate everyone’s input. It seems like Columbia is best for me. From what I understand, Yale, especially the Law school, is particularly research/ theory focussed, hence its high reputation.
Both schools have offered me a masters in Health Policy & Management.