hi! I'm a current first year student who wrestled with the decision of whether to choose wharton (or the other schools I'd been admitted to) right up to the last moment. it was a tough decision because many schools have great things to offer, but I think it came down to a number of key things.

• alumni - any wharton alum I encountered on the way could not stop raving about his or her years at wharton

• the proactiveness of the students/administration/faculty - everyone here is constantly striving to make things better - whether through open discussions about the curriculum and recruiting or through official feedback to professors mid-quarter - nobody seems to be resting on past accomplishments or reputations - the school has a sense of humility but also an intense drive to be the best possible program

• people - it's been said before, but the people I met at wharton's admit weekend were the most international, the most well rounded, and came from some of the most interesting backgrounds - not to mention, everyone was so excited to be here - there's something contageous about that feeling

• size - I was looking for a large school, wharton fit the bill

• location - I was also looking to be back on the east coast

• faculty - I was blown away by the courses I attended when I visited campus - some stunning professors

• case and lecture - I think both are valuable and wanted a place where I could learn by each method

• reputation, particularly in quantitative subjects - wharton's reputation is stunning and will open as many doors as an mba from one of the other schools you're considering, but I was particularly drawn to the known strength of the quant background I'd receive - coming from a softer liberal arts background, the strength of wharton's program is a great complement to my experiences

so those are the top reasons that led me to make my decision. that's not to say I didn't struggle with it up until the day the checks were due. but in hindsight, after speaking with friends who are first years at each of the schools you mentioned, I'm glad to be here and feel I made the right decision.