Considering a change of schools

Currently I'm a freshman at UChicago planning to major in economics or math, looking to go into IBanking. I can't say I'm very happy at this school, but I can't say that I'm miserable. It's just not a great overall experience. I enjoy the toughness and the workload, but I find that there's very little campus life or stimulation outside the classroom.

I'm considering transferring to Harvard, Stanford (yes, yes, long shots, but I have a very high GPA), as well as Penn (college, not Wharton), Columbia, and Duke.

My question is: In terms of recruitment, placement, networking, etc, are the last three schools as good as Chicago if I major in math or econ? Or am I better off staying where I am if I don't get into Harvard or Stanford? Or is it worth transferring and having to work less hard for a high GPA?

Also, I've already taken a Graduate School of Business course, and Chicago seems to allow its undergrads a lot of access to graduate resources. I don't know if the other schools do. How much should that influence my decision?

Thanks very much for your time.

 
Best Response

I think his inquiry specifically hinges on alternative factors outside of recruiting opportunities.

It seems that you are being challenged and you are aware that UChi will provide you with terrric job opps post graduation so I would recommend that you stay (although there is no harm in applying to some of the other programs). The problem with transferring is that you have no relative comparison. For all you know UChi could have better campus programs than the school to which you decide to transfer to. Join a club sport, an affiliated group, or expand into the community. In college I was able to leverage my D1 athletic experience and do some local youth coaching in the area during my off-season, which was rewarding and enjoyable. Good luck with the decision.

 

You will have similar recruiting if you end up at Duke but a way better life because they have D-1 sports and a much more fun atmosphere.  Columbia will likely have better connections.  I've heard UChicago sucks in terms of things to do outside of class but their econ department is second to none in terms of research/academics.  If you are looking for similar job opportunities but more fun, Columbia and Duke both fit.  Don't know a ton about options coming from Penn for non-Wharton kids but I'd imagine it's similar to any of the Ivies- that is, pretty good.

 

Thanks everyone for the responses so far. 

Another part of what's influencing my decision is that I've heard that our office of career planning and placement is relatively weak compared to our peer schools (I can't personally verify that). Can anyone weigh in on that?

My main decision I think will probably come down to Columbia vs. Penn vs. UChi, that's the only scenario where I have a real dilemma in terms of making a decision. 

 

I'm not sure Penn (college) would be an upgrade at all, probably a downgrade b/c Wharton dominates Penn in terms of I-banking. I'd definitely consider Columbia - it's probably a lateral in terms of education, but you get much better access to recruiters.

 

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