UCSB vs. UCLA for NYC Finance
Hi,
I'm a fall 2024 transfer student in California having some difficulty deciding between UCLA and UCSB. I applied as Econ & Accounting for UCSB and pure Econ for UCLA. I'm guaranteed to get into UCSB and will likely get into UCLA. I want to work in finance in NYC, and I've been thinking that if I go to UCSB, then I will have a good shot at working for b4 audit, which are plentiful in NYC. Then after gaining experience, I can transition to b4 valuation, then IB if I get that far. However, UCLA is a well-recognized school and may help me get a job in high finance more easily than UCSB, but I don't know if what I will be learning in pure Econ will translate to finance, especially finance in NYC. Please feel free to share any thoughts, thanks!
In the long run your major really doesn't matter when you are recruiting for full-time jobs. I suggest going to UCLA if all else is equal (cost-wise) as there's a larger presence in finance for UCLA. If you go on Linkedin you'll see the majority of UCLA alumni who work in IB were Economics or Business Economics majors, while there are really only a handful of UCSB alum in general who are working in IB.
My general advice is instead of focusing all your attention on your major/coursework, be sure to put in time and effort towards internships and extracurriculars as that is what will get you the job in the end.
Thank you this is very helpful information!
Went to UCSB and I would suggest you go to UCLA. The business economics major at UCLA is essentially the same courses as Econ & Accounting at UCSB. They used to call both Business Econ and you’ll see ucsb alumni with that degree on LinkedIn. The major doesn’t matter as much as recruiting successfully. Realistically you just have a much better shot from UCLA. Don’t make it hard for yourself.
Outside of career I think the UCSB college experience is unbeatable but if choosing on career UCLA is the better choice.
Thanks I appreciate this response
Definitely UCLA. All the UCs deserve commendation but UCLA comes up in discussion with michigan / uva / berkeley for a reason. It’s a more built out uni
agreed, thank you
Career-wise, it is UCLA and not even close. In the worst case, you'll start out in West Coast banking and then move to NYC. It's dramatically easier than going from b4 audit - valuation - banking. IMO, UCLA is a good enough school where its on you if you don't succeed.
Thanks for your response man, I appreciate it.
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