College Choices for IB

Closing in on the end of my senior year of high school. When applying to colleges, I kept in mind a somewhat realistic list of schools that I would attend for Finance as my major and Econ as a supplementary major/minor. My SAT score was good (1570), but a downturn in junior year (although I'm doing much better now) proved to be detrimental to my college reaches. Out of the schools I applied to, I have gotten into UW-M, IU and VTech, and waitlisted from Wake Forest, W&M, and UCD. As I'm pursuing a career in IB, I was wondering which university (including possible waitlist acceptances) would fend me the best coming from a non-target school for IB. I know that IU is ranked highly for undergraduate business and places decently in # of hires, and that the rest of the schools as options have lower placement rates. I also learned about the programs in these colleges that send a small portion of the class to IB in NYC, Chicago, and other places. Additionally, transferring as a sophomore to a semi-target or higher (UT, UVA, USC, NYU, etc) is an option but I don't want to undervalue the experience/opportunities at whichever college I attend in the fall.

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Based on the WSO Dataset, when considering a career in investment banking (IB) from a non-target school, it's crucial to evaluate the schools you've been accepted to and those you're waitlisted at in terms of their finance programs, alumni network, and placement rates in IB roles. Here's a breakdown to help guide your decision:

Indiana University (IU): Known for its Kelley School of Business, IU has a strong reputation in undergraduate business education and is recognized for its finance program. The school has a decent track record of placing graduates into investment banking roles, particularly in the Midwest. IU's Investment Banking Network and Workshop are particularly noteworthy for students aiming for careers in IB, offering rigorous preparation and recruitment opportunities.
University of Wisconsin-Madison (UW-M): While not traditionally considered a target school for IB, UW-Madison has a solid business program and offers opportunities for students to break into finance. The school's alumni network and career services can be valuable resources for securing internships and full-time positions in investment banking.
Virginia Tech (VTech): Similar to UW-M, VTech is not traditionally seen as a target for IB but has a growing reputation in its business and finance programs. Networking and involvement in finance-related clubs and activities will be key to leveraging opportunities from VTech.
Waitlisted Schools: Among the schools you're waitlisted at, Wake Forest and William & Mary (W&M) have strong undergraduate business programs that could offer good pathways into IB, especially in the South and East Coast. University of California, Davis (UCD), while more known for its strengths in other areas, still provides a solid education that can be leveraged into a finance career with the right networking and internships.
Transfer Options: Considering a transfer to a semi-target or target school (e.g., UT Austin, UVA, USC, NYU) after your freshman or sophomore year is a strategic move that could significantly enhance your chances of breaking into IB. These schools have stronger direct pipelines into IB roles, especially in major financial centers like NYC. However, it's important to excel academically and get involved in relevant extracurriculars during your time at your current institution to increase your chances of a successful transfer.

In conclusion, while IU stands out among your current acceptances for its finance program and IB placement, it's also important to consider the overall fit and the opportunities to network, gain relevant experience, and excel academically. Should you decide to attend one of the schools you're currently accepted to, actively seek out finance clubs, alumni mentorship opportunities, and internships to bolster your profile for either IB recruitment or a potential transfer to a higher-target school.

Sources: The Case for Choosing a Non-Target, https://www.wallstreetoasis.com/forum/investment-banking/should-i-do-a-phd-at-an-ultra-target-university-if-i-want-to-be-an-ib?customgpt=1, The Myth of the "Target School", How to get into Investment Banking from complete non-target, What should I major in to get into investment banking from a non-target school?

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