6 Free Financial Modeling Lessons...and More.

Enter your e-mail below to get our new Free Modeling Tutorials ($200+ Value).

< previous | next >

Los Angeles IBanking
 

historiclegend's picture
(Baboon, 111
 
Points)
 on 5/31/12 at 1:12am

If I had the option between UCLA or Berkeley Econ, but was positive I wanted to work in LA post graduation, would the reputation of UCB outweigh the networking that could be done while going to UCLA?

Tags:
Relentless101's picture

No. Networking is much

O
(Baboon, 116
 
Points)
 on 5/31/12 at 1:41am

No. Networking is much important and UCLA is a great target for the LA region.

SmokeyG's picture

Both are very well viewed.

 
Points)
 on 5/31/12 at 2:16am

Both are very well viewed. Especially Berkeley.

Just do work at whichever school you go to and you will end up fine. As long as you come in with a background that suits banking (demonstrated interest through clubs, internships, etc) and the history to prove your competence (e.g. GPA), then you should be fine.

historiclegend's picture

It's the especially Berkeley

(Baboon, 111
 
Points)
 on 5/31/12 at 2:45am

It's the especially Berkeley part that worries me of UCLA.

Moelis (I think) only does analyst OCR at UCB. Which makes me question doing undergrad at LA.

Obviously everyone on the site is an overachiever and will be involved in clubs and internships during college.

I'm wondering if all else equal.. A kid with more networking from UCLA does better in the long run (20+ years) than a UCB ugrad with the more "prestigious" degree, if my only intentions are to work in LA during my career.

historiclegend's picture

More specifically, I don't

(Baboon, 111
 
Points)
 on 5/31/12 at 2:50am

More specifically, I don't want to go to UCB. Will the networking capabilities in LA (for my goals) even out the more prestigious degree of UCB degree?

shibby's picture

If you're sure about working

IB
 
Points)
 on 5/31/12 at 3:03am

If you're sure about working in LA, you should go with UCLA. Pretty much every firm recruits there for their LA offices. including Moelis. The networking you can do will more than make up for the Haas education you'd be foregoing.

whateverittakes's picture

USC also recruits very well

IB
(King Kong, 1,056
 
Points)
 on 5/31/12 at 3:18am

USC also recruits very well for the LA offices of top investment banks.

jgx101's picture

Berkeley will give you an

IB
(Orangutan, 356
 
Points)
 on 5/31/12 at 3:27am

Berkeley will give you an edge in recruiting if all else is equal, but it is a slight edge if your goal is to work in LA. I think you should go to UCLA because you would prefer that school and that means a lot.
Don't just look at Moelis recruiting. I know of a few people from Berkeley that got Moelis, but they MAY have been able to get it even if they went to UCLA because they were extremely well prepared.

APAE's picture

I am East Coast based (school

(Neanderthal, 3,660
 
Points)
 on 5/31/12 at 3:55am

I am East Coast based (school + work), but I do personally know of four people from my graduation year that have done very well from USC (two in West Coast IBD), eight from UCB (three in West Coast IBD), and zero from UCLA. That is just my network and obviously an incredibly small sample size, however; read into it as you will.

A lot of people do certain things to add days to their life. I do things to add life to my days.

SlikRick's picture

Are you based in Los Angeles

CO
 
Points)
 on 5/31/12 at 4:18am

Are you based in Los Angeles or the Bay Area? If you're from LA, but have the choice between going to UCB or UCLA, then you're not foregoing much networking. You can set up informational interviews during your summers. However, it seems like you're desire is to go to UCLA. There's no way I can say that UCLA kids get more IB offers than UCB kids. But, the primary reason for that is because of the increased IB presence in SF. Regardless of the school you choose, you seem like you're motivated and you're going to come out on top. Pick the school that you feel you'll enjoy more and stick with it. If your goal was simply to get into IB, then I'd say go with UCB, but if its the LA focus you're looking for, then either school will suit you well.

marko's picture

UCLA. You'll be a lot

(Monkey, 60
 
Points)
 on 5/31/12 at 5:19am

UCLA. You'll be a lot happier: much better social life and less academic stress.

West Coast rainmaker's picture

I am going to first caution

ER
(Neanderthal, 2,072
 
Points)
 on 5/31/12 at 8:03am

I am going to first caution you: LA offices are tiny. It is fine to express an interest, but be sure to cast a wide net...between the BBs, there might be 25 SA spots in LA. Throw in Moelis, then you are in the low 30s. Not sure how big HLHZ's summer class is, but I doubt you are breaking 40 total openings.

You are competing with the rest of the UC System, USC, Stanford and the Claremont Colleges. SF will absorb most of the Haas and Stanford grads, but it is still a large applicant pool for a few spots. Be sure to emphasize how you, "prefer LA, but are 100% flexible with regards to location".

To answer your question, I have heard mixed things about UCLA recruiting and have not seen nearly as many UCLA grads as USC. Still, I would be stunned if banks did not recruit there for LA offices.

If you think you can get Berkeley Haas, go there. Otherwise UCLA and non-Haas Cal are probably similar.

Ricqles's picture

go to a school you really

O
(King Kong, 1,270
 
Points)
 on 5/31/12 at 10:21am

go to a school you really like. ucb and ucla are comparable in recruiting if you are not doing haas in ucb.

you can land banking jobs, just that most people dont focus on them so you will need to network your way in (dsp, akpsi would be a good start)

SmokeyG's picture

I think you're slightly

 
Points)
 on 5/31/12 at 1:40pm

I think you're slightly missing my point. I said especially Berkeley because it is true that it is more prestigious than LA. This worries you, but it shouldn't.

What you're failing to acknowledge is that fact that the university does not define you or dictate your accomplishments. Sure, the opportunities out of Harvard are much greater than those from a community college, but between UCLA and UCB with a desire to work in finance in LA, you will have ample opportunity out of both. In fact, the difference is negligible when compared to your personal effort. Ultimately, you will make opportunity happen, not your degree. Go to which college makes you happy. If not, you WILL regret it both socially and professionally (you work better and more enthusiastically when you are happy = better performance = more opportunities).

AnalystMonkey2769's picture

historiclegend: It's the

IB
(Gorilla, 504
 
Points)
 on 2/3/13 at 7:12am
historiclegend:

It's the especially Berkeley part that worries me of UCLA.

Moelis (I think) only does analyst OCR at UCB. Which makes me question doing undergrad at LA.

Obviously everyone on the site is an overachiever and will be involved in clubs and internships during college.

I'm wondering if all else equal.. A kid with more networking from UCLA does better in the long run (20+ years) than a UCB ugrad with the more "prestigious" degree, if my only intentions are to work in LA during my career.

God you're so wrong. I know first hand that Moelis does resume drops @ UCLA for OCR. Pls dnt post shit you dont know about.

I don't throw darts at a board. I bet on sure things. Read Sun-tzu, The Art of War. Every battle is won before it is ever fought- GG

6 Free Financial Modeling Lessons...Straight to Your Inbox.

Confirm your name and e-mail below to get our best tips

Monkey Stats
Account information
We respect your Name and E-mail privacy. By joining you accept our terms of service.