Northwestern vs Carnegie vs NYU Stern vs UW vs Vanderbilt

Hey guys, I've just finished the whole college application ride and finished with some pretty decent selection. I've been struggling to come to a conclusion and I have narrowed my acceptance choices into six schools: Northwestern (Weinberg), NYU Stern, Carnegie Mellon (Tepper), Vanderbilt (CAS), UCLA, and UW Seattle (Foster Direct) (my state flagship). Depending upon the availability of a business school, I was planning on majoring in Business Administration with a potential concentration in finance/accounting, since I plan on working in either consulting or investment banking. At schools without a dedicated undergraduate business schools (NU,UCLA,Vandy), I was planning on majoring on some sort of combination of econ/math. That being said, an undergraduate business school is definitely a plus since it makes a MBA optional. Financial aid is a plus, but not mandatory (I'm low income, but can afford to spend). I've already begun forming opinions, and would appreciate any input.

Northwestern: Northwestern was my original top choice, with a decent college community (Big 10) and a real college social scene. Combined with its prestigious reputation and proximity to Chicago, I thought it would be the best decision. However, the lack of a dedicated business school for undergrads and my specific major have my parents thinking that NU might not be the best decision for my professional career. While I know Kellogg has an undergraduate business certificate and NU economics is one of the best in the nation, I'm not sure if that program would be a suitable replacement for i-banking for.
Weather wouldn't be a problem; I'm used to the cold. In terms of financial aid, Northwestern was quite generous with around 50k a year, leaving me to pay around 20k a year

Carnegie Mellon: In terms of a professional/career focused environment, I don't think Carnegie Mellon can be surpassed. Their business program is decent and CMU's overall reputation on Wall Street is solid, with high starting salaries. However, I'm a little apprehensive about the rumors of CMU being a factory of sadness within a dreary Pittsburgh. I'm not super social, but I would appreciate some school spirit. But in terms of finance and my career, my parents think that CMU might be the best option, especially if I wanted to pick up some CS skills/minor. Financial Aid was awesome, 60k a year, 8k left out of pocket.

NYU Stern: My parents have been pushing for me to select NYU Stern, due to its elite undergraduate business program and great placement into Wall Street and i-banking. I'm neutral on living in a big city, and I'm not a big fan of the lack of a cohesive student body/campus. However, in terms of curriculum and career goals, Stern would be the best fit, as I want to focus on finance. However, I've heard that Stern is extremely competitive and cutthroat, with the curve hurting a lot of students. Also, rent in NYC is a nightmare and while I want to work in finance, I'd like to have options as well. Financial Aid with NYU Stern wasn't steller either, with only a 30k scholarship, with around 40k+ out of pocket.. My parents have volunteered to pay because they think its a prudent investment to study near Wall Street, with the expectation that I pay them back in the future.

Vandy: Vandy was another school that I was pleased to get into, due to their excellent undergraduate focus and happy student body. However, I am worried that I wouldn't fit in well. While I appreciate a moderately social scene, I'm not big on rushing or a student body revolving around Greek Culture. Also, I'm an Asian from Seattle WA, so I'm not sure that I would fit in at Vandy or Nashville. In terms of academics, I feel that I would like the less competitive nature, but the lack of a undergraduate business program is a con. Vandy economics/math is decent though. Financial Aid from Vandy was also awesome at 61k a year.

UW Foster: UW is my state flagship and I was directly admitted into Foster, and I'd love to stay at home since I love Seattle and keep the relationships that I've built. I've always said that if UW Foster continued to improve to around the level of ar UCB Haas, then I would go without a second choice. However while UW Engineering and Science Departments are elite, Foster still lags behind elite levels in terms of quality, prestige, and placement. I love the culture though, and still would get a decent education in the major I wanted. The instate cost is the cheapest (about 6k a year after scholarships/grants), but not by much compared to Vandy or CMU.

UCLA: UCLA would be an awesome place with an awesome student culture and location. However, Anderson doesn't have any undergraduate offerings, and I wasn't given a lot of financial aid, earning a 25k scholarship, leaving 35k left out of pocket.

I would appreciate any advice. Thanks

 

First of all, congrats on some amazing options, especially with great financial aid packages. As a senior in college, I can hopefully offer a different perspective. When making your choices, keep in mind that choosing a school with a great social life will be hugely beneficial. You've got some options that will allow you to have both a successful career and a ton of fun in college.

Northwestern: Obviously a great school. From what I heard, social scene is okay but not great. At any of these Big 10 schools, Greek life is going to be a major part of the scene. While Northwestern may be different (I'd try and reach out to any kids you know that go there), Greek life will most likely be dominant. You mentioned your concern about a lack of a dedicated business school. Just keep in mind that plenty of target schools don't have dedicated business undergrad schools, yet their kids have no problem dominating the realm of finance. If you attend Northwestern, major in something quantitative (like you said, math and econ) and try and join some finance or accounting clubs. You'll be able to not only network, but you'll also gain exposure to the technicals of finance and accounting. You seem like a bright kid, and to be honest, picking up these concepts won't be difficult if you put in the work. I wouldn't get too caught up in majoring in an undergrad business degree. In my opinion, math majors are immensely sought after. After 4 years of undergrad math, doing a DCF will be an absolute joke.

Carnegie Mellon: I know a few kids who go here. Like you said, incredible school for career prospects. However, social scene is pretty awful from what I heard. People always say "the social scene is what you make of it". While that may be true, there is nothing wrong with going to a school that makes socializing much easier. For example, you could technically break into IB from a non-target school, as many have done it. However, it'd be much easier with a target school degree. Also, depending on your gender (I'm assuming you're male), Carnegie Mellon might suck. There is a huge concentration of guys, and in college, that's not going to result in a very fun social scene. Don't underestimate the importance of having a good time in college. Let's say you land an awesome internship during your junior year summer and receive a return offer. You'll want to have as much fun as possible during your senior year. You'll definitely want a school with a social scene that can provide that great experience for you.

NYU Stern: Great undegrad business school. You'll have no problem placing in IB at Stern. The proximity to NYC is a huge advantage as well. Like you said, lack of a centralized campus leads to a different college experience. At NYU, you'll spend most of your nights out in the city, which can be highly limiting if you're underage and don't have a fake ID. NYC is crazy expensive, so going out is going to kill your pockets. Without a centralized campus, the student body does seem separated. NYU is a great school in general (and Stern is incredible) and some kids absolutely love the scene. However, if living in the city isn't for you (at least during the 4 years of undergrad), then I'd reconsider. You have some other great options for IB and consulting. Plus Stern's financial aid package wasn't the greatest.

Vandy: From my friends who go there, social scene is highly dominated by Greek life. You said that you aren't into that scene, but don't completely rule it out. Plenty of my highschool friends initially said the same thing. Then they tried it out and loved it. Although Vandy is a southern school, it definitely doesn't have the same vibe as a big southern state school like Alabama or Georgia. A lot of my friends who go there are from places up north like Chicago and Boston. Also, one of my friends is in a pretty big fraternity there (super nice kid), and he tells me that his fraternity connections have helped him significantly in recruiting. Just something to keep in mind.

UW Foster: I don't know anything about this school, so I can't really comment.

UCLA: I don't know what the recruiting scene at UCLA is like. Just know that it's a huge state school, so you'll be competing with a ton of your classmates. Also, the IB scene is generally smaller on the west coast, so they'll be few spots. UCLA is definitely a good school, but I'm not sure what its reputation in finance is. I know that both Stanford and UC Berkley (maybe USC too...not sure?) are better for IB, so that's something to consider.

Overall, you've got great options, so it's tough to go wrong. My advice is to consider your level of happiness at each school. I know that you aren't into the frat scene, but you are still in highschool. Not all frats are the same, and you may find a group of guys that you fit in with and really form bonds with (I'm not in a frat so I'm not spewing biased advice haha). It'll be much easier to go through the recruiting gauntlet if you're at least having fun at school. Otherwise, you may end up hating your experience and burn out. Also, financial aid is really important, so I'd place that into major consideration as well. While NYU Stern has a great name, the costs are crazy high. You'll have no problem landing a high-paying IB job from these other schools, so don't feel pressured to pay more to got to Stern. Hope this helps!

 
Best Response

Don't listen to your parents. They don't know shit. Stern only has strong IB placement because students are basically forced to intern throughout the year. It has pretty bad grade deflation, the community sucks and NYC is not fun unless you're willing to spend a lot of money/take on a lot of debt.

So if your idea of fun for four years is studying 6 hours a day, while interning, while going to school and living in a box, then by all means, Stern is for you.

Northwestern, on the other hand, has fantastic placements, both in finance and in consulting (your other target career). You won't need to intern throughout the year to break into IB (though it will definitely help, of course), Chicago is a beautiful and affordable city and there's a very strong community.

For me, this is an obvious choice: Northwestern.

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Northwestern or Vandy is my vote.You're right to worry about the Vandy culture not fitting you. Most kids don't have the foresight to consider that. Stern is fine but your parents should be aware that NU probably has better per capita placement and it being cheaper should seal the deal. Seriously, what asian parents don't think NU is more prestigious than NYU?

 

Pick between Northwestern, NYU Stern & Vandy.

Northwestern/Vandy has pretty good Midwest placement and okay east coast placement for finance. Stern destroys the others on your list for finance placement but the other schools like NW/Vanderbilt are good obviously enough to be able to get you to a similar position as you would get from Stern if you keep your goal in mind.

Given you got so much financial aid from those schools it's perfectly alright to pick them and actually saying you got a full ride from Vandy will be extremely impressive when you start looking for jobs. Also the comment about being forced to intern during the year is flat out wrong. A lot of my friends from Stern that landed the best positions were internationals who can't work during the year because of Visa restrictions and they did just fine without interning during the year.

No one would fault you for going to Vandy for financial reasons at all and is probably the best decision.

 

I'd probably go to Northwestern for the reasons cited above. UWs wet dream is to be considered the equivalent of UCB or any other excellent institution, they aren't.

 

I agree with Esuric, go with Northwestern, its the best school by far on your list and is a top 10 university. NYU is a great school but NYC people don't view it as highly as folks outside the city. NYU doesn't have a campus, has over 57k students and is a very very overpriced city school

Go with Kellogg. National and international brand. top 10 school on any list you can find. No brainier for me as well.

 
sillymonkey123:

NYU is a great school but NYC people don't view it as highly as folks outside the city.

That may the stupidest fucking thing I've ever read. NYU gets recruited by every single company from every single industry in NYC. I could see the argument that NYU isn't as good outside of NYC, but saying it is not viewed as highly IN the city shows how little you know about the school.
 

I go to NU, and have seen plenty of kids go into high finance without a quantitative major, and I don't think math is particularly helpful (it's theoretical, academic math, not DCF's). MMSS/Econ or just Econ place plenty of kids. I don't know why someone mentioned Kellogg - sure you can do the 4-course certificate but it doesn't seem to be that helpful. Regarding recruiting, there is not a lot of NY OCR, but kids go to all of the major banks there through networking and being smart students at a well-respected school. Top kids have gone to Centerview, Qatalyst, Greenhill, Evercore in various cities. Still, most of the OCR is from Chicago places (Baird, Blair, HL, Lazard MM, Chicago offices of BB's). Not too familiar with the other schools, but I think it's your best option, and it's a very good one for both consulting and IB. I would join AKPsi, the business fraternity, and do a Chicago Field Studies internship during sophomore year.

 

Go to northwestern, end of story. Great school, great location (esp. if you don't mind the cold) and you got a great scholarship.

NYC is not a good place to go to undergrad (too expensive, too many distractions). Pittsburgh just sucks, period end of story. I suspect you won't like Nashville coming from Seattle, good place to visit, bad place to live. UCLA/UW just aren't in the same league as NU when it comes to recruiting/prestige.

Also - don't rule out a frat. I was dead set on not joining a frat as I started college, but quickly changed my mind when I realized the frats at my school (WUSTL) were not at all like stereotypical state school frats. Imagine NU is pretty similar in terms of the frat scene (although it may lean slightly more towards state school frat scene b/c of big 10 influence. Best decision I made in college was to join and it has paid dividends socially and even professionally.

 

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