Georgetown vs Darden Finance (MBA)

Hey guys I'm obviously brand new here. I wanted to give you a quick snapshot of my situation.

About me:
I have a low GPA and wishy washy GMAT(2.68 GPA from Rutgers (biochem undergrad) and 690 GMAT), but have the veterans card playing for me. I've been a Marine Infantry Officer for the past 4 years, I've done my tours in Afghanistan and Romania. I just got out and I am now aggressively pursuing business school. I applied to Georgetown R1 and just got accepted. I am applying to Darden and Wharton (longshot dream I know) R2. My big question is, is Darden's reputation that much better than Georgetown's in regards to investment banking? I guess I'm just asking for everyone's thoughts on Darden vs Georgetown.

I know this thread has existed before but just wanted some fresh advice. Thanks!

 

All else equal, I'd choose Darden over Georgetown. But this only becomes a question if you get an admit from Darden (obviously). I don't see any upside of choosing Georgetown over Darden though.

 

It honestly isn't even close. Georgetown is improving but it's not a core school out most banks. You'll have to recruit on your own and hope to leverage contacts at banks. You will go the super day route competing against other schools.

On the other hand, every bulge bracket recruits at Darden and have spots dedicated for Darden students. Elite boutiques like Evercore and HL also have spots. Southern banks like Harris Williams and SunTrust also target there. Banks actually travel down to Charlottesville too so you won't be commuting to NYC every weekend like you would at Georgetown. Your network will also be bigger at probably every bank. Darden places about 40 people a year in IB, which for a school of a little over 300 a class is a pretty good rate.

Darden has a rep for general management, which is also great there, but it's a sneaky good finance school in terms of placement. Yes you won't be able to do PE or something quant based from there if you don't have previous experience, but that's the case at most MBA schools.

Not to discourage you, if you don't get anywhere but G'town. I know of two MBA alum at my bank from there, but they both had to hustle. Conversely, there are 4 Darden people alone in my group.

 

Nice information

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I would have to transfer in because I'm a sophomore, but it's fairly easy to transfer from inside UVA. That's what I'm shooting for anyway.

 
UkraineTrain:
I would have to transfer in because I'm a sophomore, but it's fairly easy to transfer from inside UVA. That's what I'm shooting for anyway.

Unless you're absolutely sure you'll be able to transfer in, I would advise you to take MSB.

Both UVA-McIntire and Gtown-MSB are similar-tier targets (choosing either will not make a difference to your chances for IB). Their A&S colleges, however, are not targets.

 

No, it just means that lots of people concentrate in finance. Not everyone who does finance wants to do banking. A lot of consulting hopefuls and accounting people do finance as well.

MM IB -> Corporate Development -> Strategic Finance
 

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