Does Transferring as a junior make sense?
Currently a rising sophomore at a non-target, with a very strong GPA and internship experiences. Right now it’s too late to transfer and it would end up happening as I go into my junior year. Does this make sense to do if IB recruiting is during sophomore year? I feel like in some ways it would be a bit of a waste unless recruiting for FT.
Same here. And if I transfer, are there better places to be as a transfer?
Wdym, like are there easy schools to transfer to?
Yes. For example, a higher acceptance rate, better inclusivity from the start, and credits that transfer easily.
There are schools like: Claremont McKenna, Michigan, Colby, UVA, Middlebury, Colgate that all accept spring transfers. Just know you texbunicals and then network network network as soon as you get to campus
Oh wow I didn’t know that, thanks that’s good to know
There are pros and cons to this.
The pros are pretty limited:
1. You will get access to a better alumni network
2. On cold emails, you might have a slightly better success rate, as people would see your school.
The cons, in my opinion are quite large:
1. There are barriers to entry to these alumni networks - clubs, frats, majors, etc. Although most people are willing to listen to almost anyone who is from their school, I know that there were plenty of people who would only pick up the phone if they saw a direct connect to them. This limits the network pretty hard
1.5 I really want to harp on this club point. Most of the clubs at my target are only open to first and second years. Even then, the majority of the class is filled by first-years. I have seen almost no one get in as a third year. The same can be said about frats. Again, I would be hesitant to transfer.
2. Starting from scratch socially - I don't know what the social situation is at your school, but do you really want to sacrifice all of the friends that you have made? Going to another school, especially this late, will make getting friends incredibly hard.
3. GPA might drop - this is kind of a follow on from 2. You don't have the study groups, you don't know which professors are easier, and you need to have a stellar GPA to break into IB full time.
4. Price. Not sure about your financial situation, but if you don't get a serious aid package, you're going to pay a lot more in tuition.
In my opinion, it's not worth it. If it was your second-year, I would say it would be fine, but in your third year, it's going to be tough. That being said, I have seen people break into banking from almost anywhere. You have a disadvantage by going to a non-target, but it's not like you have no shot. I would network heavy, keep that GPA high, and I can guarantee you someone is going to give you a chance. Can't keep a good man down for long.
Thanks for the comment, very helpful. What are your thoughts on transferring for the spring semester sophomore year? Would likely help for applications for SA 2026. Id also probably only pull the trigger if I get into a solid school. (Cornell, nyu, umich)
For a spring semester transfer, I would delay graduation by a semester or two (if allowed) and become a second year again. I think you can do this by picking up a second major.
There are some variation among those schools as a quick heads up:
1. Cornell is probably your best chance to break in. However, if you're not in Dyson, it might be harder. That being said, people break in from CAS.
2. Same goes for UMich. Ross is the best school there, but it's more limited for the CAS.
3. Even harder for Stern. Normal NYU students can't compete. Also have heard some questionable things about the NYU culture in general, so be aware.
Personally a third year transfer from complete non-target to ~target and received an EB SA offer. However, I recruited as a Sophomore (unsuccessfully) first, then transferred and deferred a semester to re-recruit from a ~target. I concur with all that was said above. Few extra things to note/support what was said:
1. Friends: I view this as a comfort zone thing; it's not easy. I prefer the friends at my old school to the ones at my new school. However, now I have two groups of friends and a much wider circle that will be all over geographically. In addition to that, it forces you to develop social skills and personal skills - these are very legitimate skills.
2. Recruiting: night and day experience. Opportunities are far more plentiful. The entire culture and knowledge related to finance is worlds apart. I visit my old school and it is blatant how much of a difference it is to be at a school with more versus less career-driven individuals. Not to say one is better or worse, but purely from a recruiting standpoint, a space with people who know the game and how to play it is more conducive to your success. On the flip side, it is more competitive - small price to pay.
3. Grades: honestly if you transfer as a third year, and re-recruit, you only have one semester on your transcript when interviews roll around (assuming you defer to re-recruit). Easy 4.0 if you play your cards right.
I see two scenarios: you either successfully recruit into an SA position from a non-target, in which case you can decide if it's worth sacrificing the life you've built at your old school to pursue IB. Or you are unable to land the SA position and you defer a semester to re-recruit from a target, AND you now have all the knowledge and experience you've already built. From my experience, I think it was the right decision for me. But in tough times I do question if it was worth sacrificing those extra two years with my friends just to land a job.
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