Hi all... I'm looking at b-schools in NYC to transition into investment banking (from corporate finance).

In this sense, which is better, NYU Stern or Columbia?

I ONLY want to study in New York City, so please do not suggest Chicago Booth or Kellogg, etc. etc. etc.

I will probably apply for both schools but want to get a sense of which is best for I-banking.

That depends on which banks and which roles. Take a look at http://board.find-mba.com/general-forum/how-to-use-linkedin-to-find-the-best-school-28559

Linkedin suggests that around the same number of grads work in the field:

1309 listed as gone to NYU; 1272 for Columbia.

Both are solid choices, in terms of placements, location, connections with firms, etc.

I think that for the larger firms, especially the i-banking departments of larger financial institutions like JP Morgan, Goldman, etc., you really can't go wrong with either school. However, the smaller and boutique firms might have a preference. It wouldn't be hard to find out, if you had a firm in mind.