cutting loses vs. staying the course

So, as I've explained in the past. I'm pretty much a fuck-up.

At 23, I still have 4 more semesters (not including the current one) with Baruch for a bachelor's, or 6 more for a master's toward the CPA.

Recently, I was considering dropping the CPA track, and going to a business school straight out of the bachelor's. BUT, I didn't realize that the business schools worth going to require work experience prior to this -- or a really good story, which I don't have.

And I don't see myself getting work in IB with a bachelor's in accounting (I could change it to finance, but Baruch isn't exactly reputable in that department - at least, accounting has AACSB.)

So, I was thinking, would it be possible, and more importantly, would it be worth it, to raise my gpa significantly (currently 3.5) within the next few semesters, AND THEN transfer to a school like NYU's Stern?

If I do so, they will only except 2 years worth of credits. So, I will still have 2 additional years to go. But, at least it will be in finance, and it will be from a target.

It will take me 3 years to do this - the same as with the CPA.

What do you think?

It's just that I am already 23, and I cannot waste anymore time.

 

Was considering student loans.

As far as alums go - I'm not exactly the alpha-type they would be ecstatic about representing.

I figure, a degree from Stern or the likes will help prospects look past the fact that I was a fuck-up.

I mean, it's not a cumulative 3.5 - that's just Baruch (I transferred in with approximately 2.8)

But yeah, OCR goes is really good for accounting, and half-decent for IB (JPM is recruiting there.)

 
Best Response

Do you mean with the CPA, or without it?

If I get a job at a big4, then I'm basically doing slave work for two years - without learning the important things you get from being an analyst.

Sure, I can get in as an associate at that point, but then I'm forced to be doing slave work for at least another two years (granted, at least I'll be learning something then.) Meanwhile, I could have already exercised my exit visa as an analyst after two years, and moved on to PE, hedge, or PWM or something - where the hours are a little more reasonable (keep in mind that I'm 23 already. without a master's I will be over 25, with a master's and CPA - over 26. Plus 2 years at big4 = 28 plus 2 years at mba = 30 I'm thinking I'd like to have a family by that time.)

What do you think?

 

Oh, it's definitely not going to be easy.

Thing is, I will still be on exactly the same track. And I intend to bring up my gpa anyway.

So, really, it just comes down to: do I apply to Stern after a year on the same route I'm already on? And if I get accepted, should I do it?

At this point, my only concerns are doing really well on the GMAT, and getting an internship in IB (not accounting.)

But, I don't see myself getting that internship at least for another year (when my grades are better - and I've been at Baruch long enough to have them forget about Nassau.)

 

While you're much better off going to Stern than staying at Baruch, don't assume that Stern will be your golden ticket into IB. With a checkered background such as your own combined with the fact that Stern "isn't Harvard," you may find that you will put in a ton of effort to transfer to Stern only to end up with the same job you would have gotten out of Baruch. My vote would be to finish your degree at Baruch, get a normal job, go to b-school, then evaluate what you want to do with your life.

CompBanker’s Career Guidance Services: https://www.rossettiadvisors.com/
 

Quos corrupti nihil facere qui. Quos quidem velit exercitationem. Non repellat aut dolorem molestiae fugiat sed. Unde earum officia non quisquam eos aut veniam.

Career Advancement Opportunities

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Jefferies & Company 02 99.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 19 98.8%
  • Harris Williams & Co. New 98.3%
  • Lazard Freres 02 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 03 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Harris Williams & Co. 18 99.4%
  • JPMorgan Chase 10 98.8%
  • Lazard Freres 05 98.3%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.7%
  • William Blair 03 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Lazard Freres 01 99.4%
  • Jefferies & Company 02 98.8%
  • Goldman Sachs 17 98.3%
  • Moelis & Company 07 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 05 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Director/MD (5) $648
  • Vice President (19) $385
  • Associates (86) $261
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (14) $181
  • Intern/Summer Associate (33) $170
  • 2nd Year Analyst (66) $168
  • 1st Year Analyst (205) $159
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (145) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”