Western Ivey or Waterloo Finance + CS
I've recently been admitted to Ivey and Waterloo's CFM program, and my goal is to recruit for buy-side jobs in the US. From my understanding, Ivey is #1 in Canada for finance recruiting, and students there get jobs at US firms like Evercore, Silverlake, BX, KKR, etc. Considering that Waterloo is less of a "target school," will the co-op structure help me recruit for these types of jobs, or is it primarily good for STEM careers?
I've also noticed that Ivey students tend to work in more client-facing and less quantitative roles than students at Waterloo (e.g., IB/consulting vs. quant/SWE). Will attending Ivey make it harder to pursue quant-focused roles like being a trader, or will Waterloo make it harder to pursue positions in PE? In terms of spirit/culture, I like both. I also don't mind studying something quantitative along with finance (my pre-Ivey major is statistics).
I'd really appreciate any advice. Thanks :)
Based on the most helpful WSO content, here's a detailed comparison to help you make an informed decision between Ivey and Waterloo's CFM program, especially with your goal of recruiting for buy-side jobs in the US:
Target School Status and US Recruitment:
Role Suitability and Program Focus:
Cultural and Academic Fit:
In summary, your choice might depend heavily on where you see yourself fitting better in terms of career aspirations. If you aim for more quantitatively driven roles, Waterloo's CFM could provide a stronger foundation. Conversely, for more traditional finance roles with a possibility of working in the US, Ivey's strong finance recruitment track record should not be underestimated.
Sources: Here are the Target Undergraduate Schools in Canada, Q&A: 3rd Year PE Associate ($10bn+ AUM, MBO/LBO, equity, mezz, distressed debt), Canadian Target Schools Ranked By Detailed Global Placement Data, Canadian Target Schools Ranked By Detailed Global Placement Data, Do Engineers/SWE’s irritate you guys as much as they irritate me
I think co-op is what you make of it. But it definitely trends more stem and I think Ivey would be not only the better choice but more chill.
If you've got the stats background, I'm sure some self study for whatever while in Ivey would prove just as productive.
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