BC Carroll vs USC Marshall for finance
I'm an international student, got accepted into BC CSOM and USC Marshall as an incoming freshman
Curious to hear how good CSOM and USC recruiting are for IB or other financial positions? I need to make a decision asap between the 2 schools but don't know which to pick, every school has pros/cons:
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BC is more expensive as I have to pay ~$90k/year vs USC being at $78k.
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However, BC has a better location being close to NY and a lot of financial corps can be found there vs LA, which is known for tech, and entertainment, and its finance industry is meh so it might be harder to land an internship (or maybe I'm wrong)?
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I heard both have amazing networks.
I'm so clueless right now and would appreciate getting some insights from current industry recruiters/people who went through the same struggle.
Thanks for the input!
USC student here. LA actually has a pretty robust finance scene + USC is also a target school for SF banks. don't think our location would hold you back at all if you don't mind working on the west coast. for NYC we also have a decent presence at a handful of BB/EB banks
oh really, I heard from some international students that the market in LA isn't great and it's not an easy process to find internships. I guess it still comes down to you to make the most out of it?
Both great semi target schools - really comes down to if you want west or east coast. SF/LA vs NYC/Bos
How would you describe the finance scene on both coasts? What are some of the major differences that I must watch out for/know of when deciding where to stay? since I'm an international student, I'm honestly clueless.
Currently also an international student, I go to school on the east coast and I'm interning in the west coast next summer - feel free to me PM I'm happy to help another international.
On the west coast, especially in SF where the majority of seats are, you're going to be primarily in tech or maybe healthcare. If those interest you, there's really no better place in the world. However, SF is a completely different culture/city than NYC. You can easily look up other threads here about it.
Something you should keep in mind is also just how much you like the respective schools. Obviously it's great you're looking into placement, but both schools are good and you should definitely think about how much you'll enjoy your 4yrs at each, I'd argue that's more important in this situation.
BC is a very solid semi-target for IB overall and target for a handful of BBs (RBC, Citi, GS). Loads of people end up in BOS/NYC banks every year so if you are moderately capable you have the resources to succeed. The best will have no trouble landing at MM / MF private equity out of undergrad. I chose them over UCLA mostly because I wanted to gtfo California and don't regret it. I've been to USC a couple times and found folks at BC to be more wholesome, nicer, and willing to help out--probably because of the Catholic aspect (that may also be something you want to consider). Beautiful campus, decent college town, and alumni that go out to bat for you even though there isn't greek life.
I didn't pay anywhere close to full price though but if you're already shelling out $80k for USC the marginal difference doesn't seem important.
Yeah, BC has better placement and Boston is an amazing city for a financial career. Besides these factors, what other aspects of BC )specifically CSOM, do you think make it easier for students to land internships? And between BU vs BC, which one would you choose considering that I only have to pay $65k for BU?
fwiw I talk about BC because I went there, not saying its necessarily better than USC. But, BC and csom do a good job of fostering community - at least more than BU which is depressing as hell. I don't doubt that BU kids are smart but the reason they're still a non-target is because its an awful experience and none of the alum care about the school after they graduate. Other than the fact that we have lots of driven kids and successful alum to talk to at all the events, I don't think csom (or any b-school) is particularly special...mostly comes down to your ability and network.
Just wrapped my recruiting and we also were core for DB and BAML, and TD Cowen/Securities if you count that
BC has a club called the Investment Banking Association (IBA), which places about 20-30 kids at EB/BBs. You have to apply to get into the club, and it is pretty selective, but super helpful during the recruiting process. IBA members get access to exclusive networking/panel events with top tier banks and receive interview prep (you have a weekly class/meeting where you learn technicals, etc.) You are also paired with a senior mentor who went through the recruiting process and currently has an IB offer at a bank. They are they to help you with mock interviews, resume editing, etc. That being said, even if you don't get into IBA, there are plenty of people who are not in the club that break into IB.
So I guess BC is better if I want to pursue a career in Boston or NY :)) Do you know what other aspects make BC stand out from USC? I've heard that USC also boasts a strong alumni network and its Trojan Investing Society has successfully placed many students in internships in NYC.
BC's recruiting is not as good as USC's (I went to USC and one of my siblings went to BC). IBA is a student run club so there's a lot of politics/favoritism vs. an IBW, WSFM, etc (where professors run the physical program). I think that BC is a phenomenal school and it sounds like the experience is just as good but I think on my end USC is still viewed as the stronger school and there are direct pipelines to plenty of the top firms.
Do not need to be in IBA to get into banking at all. IBA is only 40 kids and about 120 will accept offers. IBA helps but tons of the best jobs go to kids not in it
USC has been on the rise these past two years for ib. LA and SF are definitely target, and NYC depends on the alumni in the office but more presence than before (semi-target). A lot of sophomores/juniors now got placed in BB/EB across LA/SF/NYC. Better chance if you join a top ib recruiting club on campus but competitive
I’m a student at a CA non-target and, for what it’s worth, banks here are full of USC kids from what I’ve seen. Not just BBs, but also boutiques in LA. Seems to be a good SF presence as well.
Also see a good amount of Marshall MBAs out here but no idea if they’d typically go to bat for an undergrad there or not
BC student. We are formal core target schools in NYC, Boston, Chicago, and SF (can really get into any location) at all BBs and large MMs for IB except for JPM, MS, and Jefferies. However we always send a few to Jeff’s and I am one of 4 to go this year. Also have strong presence/well respected name across the street with incredibly strong alumni network who’ll connect you to non-BC bankers. MANY on campus recruiting events and other BC-exclusive online ones, a few networking dinners. However what I find most important is the support and resources for IB on campus. Faculty and upperclassmen are incredibly helpful and want to help you succeed in IB. Happy to talk about it more if that’s of interest, PM me.
Saw somewhere on this site saying that we are actually a target for Jeff lol. Also saw that Goldman took some kids from last year, were they all for IBD?
majority tends to be s&t/narkets for goldman. True target for jeff boston only.
We used to be a formal target but lost that status. We still send kids and they’re referral program is so powerful it doesn’t really matter but we’re not considered one. An MD (who ended up being my strongest connection) said we lost core target status a few years back
the bc glazing on here is crazy bruh
:))? lol I’m so confused, why do u think so?
USC
May I know why :))?
I was in a similar boat last year. I ended up choosing BC CSOM mainly because of its proximity to NYC. Being close to the financial hub really opens up a lot of internship and networking opportunities. Plus, BC's network is pretty solid—I've already connected with some great folks in the industry. But USC Marshall is definitely no slouch either, especially if you're interested in the tech side of finance. It really depends on what you value more: location or specific industry focus.
Out of curiosity, what were the reasons that convince you to choose BC over USC? Is it because you prioritize networking and want to work in NY in the future? Or perhaps USC is lacking in some aspects?
USC placement in IB has been lights out recently. TIS mentors (USC IB club) has 3 GS, 1 evercore, 1 PJT, 2 centerview, and multiple MS/PWP with a slew of other BBs and EBs. Not sure about BC but you can’t go wrong with Marshall. (Source: I go to Marshall)
Oh great. Are people mostly going to tech companies in LA? How about the placement in NY?
First time I've heard USC being cheaper than another school...
If your goal is NYC, I'd recommend BC because geographic advantage still has a lot of importance, even if USC is on the rise. West coast schools typically send kids to SF/LA outposts, midwest schools go to CHI, so and so forth. However, the difference is marginal enough where fit should have greater consideration. If you're the type to do frat parties and be bubbly, you'll thrive at USC and NYC IB becomes reasonable. If you're more chill or academic, then BC is the way to go.
BC no doubt if nyc I kinda regret not going
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