Transfer Dilemma - Currently at a non-target
Currently at a non target state school, rising junior and stupidly applied to transfer into only the very top schools like the ivies, Michigan, Berkeley, etc and got rejected/waitlisted everywhere. I'm in shock because I had excellent grades, test scores and ecs, but bad, rushed essays and very impersonal recommendations. I'm currently contemplating whether it's worth it transferring anymore, and whether any of my options are even "semi targets." Through linkeidn, i've seen people from the lousiest, most disregarded undergrads break into BBs/Elite Boutiques via networking, but it's such a shot in the dark that I want something better, because I have studied and practiced many interviews and know that I can kill them if I can manage to get them. There's still time for me to apply to places for the coming fall, but I wanted to get some additional input on my situation on whether it's even worth it at this point.
This thread lists the schools that I could conceivably still apply to
http://www.wallstreetoasis.com/forums/5-7-schools
The comments there were helpful, but I wanted to get another evaluation of my situation (which is why it's posted in I banking bullpen as opposed to monkeying around).
Edit:
Here is the list of schools again for your convenience.
Fordham
Villanova
Tulane
Lafayette
Southern Methodist U
Univ. of Maryland College Park
Georgia tech
George Washington Univ.
Univ of Rochester
Univ of Richmond
Univ of Wisconsin
Marquette University
Marist College
Renneslear Polytechnic Institute
University of Florida
University of Illinois Urbana Champagne
SUNY Geneseo (I'd save about 30K if I were to go here)
in no particular order, i'm a fan of uiuc, georgia tech, villanova. maybe then florida, wisconsin. it all blends together after that.
take a shot. it can't hurt. unless you have better use of your time.
I know that I will have to move mountains to get in from any non/semi target, but a lot of finance professionals discount state school degrees. I have gotten this impression from past interviews, where they don't seem to view my degree on equal footing even with private schools that aren't great like BC, BU, Lehigh, etc. Though my school isn't ranked nearly as high, I get the sense that not all non targets/semi targets are equal in a place of prestige like Wall Street..
I very much agree with you--the state school degree is discounted too severely. That said, it will be very hard to break in from UCONN/UMASS/UNH/UVM/etc. I don't believe any of those have a substantial finance network. If they do, then perhaps it is possible to network in.
These schools get GE FMP/Big 4 accounting, and perhaps a MM tier bank here or there for their top 1%. Mostly corp finance for the avg student at random places. They also have a few people at BB FO, but the recruiting isn't formal and it's usually through an immense amount of effort and luck. Some others made it into wall street through a top 7 MBA and are reluctant to help out the undergrads. IDK anyone from my school who has been successful getting into a BB for IBD, but this could be because a lot of kids go into the interviews very unprepared (since the b school doesn't have "programs" to train us, like IU does with the workshop) and because generally speaking the admissions standards are lower here than for the private schools. Moreover though, lots of partying, drinking, and easy classes corrupts motivation and creates laziness and complacency, but perhaps these complaints could be made about all state/non top 30 schools.
I went to a state school non-target. Went to a MM Ibank and going to a ~$3 Bn PE fund this summer. If you network and leverage different networks you can definitely get in. I don't think you should transfer IMO.
You went to Va Tech though, which is good for that region, I go to a school in the northeast (think UNH, UCONN, UMASS, etc) and constantly feel overwhelmed, where lots of ivy leaguers/nescac kids compete at even tiny boutique shops. It's just hard to stand out, and idk if it's the degree that's holding me back when all of my interviews (esp technical) have gone really well. I've heard that schools like Villanova, SMU, etc have this "old boys network" that helps out a lot whereas the rigor of a school like GA Tech's earns a lot of respect. Also people have posted that region plays a role too, where it's less competitive in other parts of the country, and personally I wouldn't mind working anywhere - I'm just looking for a rigorous, name brand entry level job that won't kill me for MBA apps.
Dude apply to Villanova... VSB is top 15, definitely a target and has a lot of exposure on the street. I sympathize with you. I am actually in the same boat. Waiting to hear from a few more, including Nova, but got denied from everywhere except Fordham. I don't really want to go to Fordham, but hey, its better than nothing and its in NYC after all. I would send out an app to them just as a fall-back. They are very quick at getting back too.
^villanova is not even close to a target. top 15 ranking is irrelevant, but it places well for big 4.
Big 4 consulting hopefully ha
Uiuc from all the schools listed above. Other schools like Villanova and Fordham are complete non targets.
Isn't UIUC only a regional target for Chicago? How would the situation there be different from Tulane/SMU/GA Tech for Houston energy banking? I'm asking because Illiniprogrammer in a PM told me that a lot of UIUC's semi formal recruiting is done through business frats, finance clubs, etc and that there would be a ton of competition, from kids who've been there for the past 2 years and are IB crazed. Schools like Tulane/SMU are significantly smaller overall, business isn't the biggest focus for Ga tech obviously, and so it will probably be easier to stand out and be noticed for southern recruiting (if there is any) there. I'm only aware of the recruiting situation at each of these schools from college confidential, linkedin searches, wall street oasis and the school websites so please correct me if I am mistaken.
I do not know much about Houston IB but I do know UT & Rice tend to dominate most other schools. Do not much about SMU and GA tech. Tulane is great for energy trading from what I have heard. IB not sure.
Emory's transfer deadline is in June, correct? Why not consider them?
They changed it this year to May 1st, this is at least what they told me when I called them earlier and it's what the common app states. I'm going to send them a letter to ask if I can apply (it's doubtful though). If anyone else knows of other schools I'm overlooking, please post them since it will definitely help me out and might help out future applicants in this situation.
bump
I am a Georgia Tech graduate(this past December) and was able to land a corporate banking job before I graduated but I would not recommend GT. It is a great school and rather challenging but OCR is not that great for banking or the other highly sought after finance jobs out there and to be honest you can get As in the finance classes without actually learning a lot. If you want to come to Atl or the southeast then apply to Emory.
From that list, UIUC and UW-Madison are your best options imo. I've met bankers from both UIUC and UWM in Chicago (at BBs and MMs). Met a UIUC MD at CS Chicago, UIUC director at Lincoln International, UWM analyst at GS, just to name a few.
I've heard that the only way to get into IB from UW is through the IB club they have (like Kelley's IB workshop). UIUC's placement might be primarily through the business fraternities. Do you feel as if it will be possible to network in with just a business degree from either, using the alumni of these programs?
Absolutely.
bump
Magni numquam non molestias blanditiis nihil voluptatem. Quae illum recusandae rerum quisquam. Doloribus quia esse unde. Odit deserunt nihil reprehenderit laboriosam sint itaque. Autem ducimus in aut modi totam est.
Ab qui doloribus vero porro. Qui saepe non eum hic doloribus laudantium. Et provident nulla doloribus ab. Quia nesciunt quia unde at suscipit modi. Enim minus illo numquam.
Autem fugiat aut vero earum molestias qui. Voluptatum aut et perferendis ipsa fuga exercitationem. Et inventore eveniet sed quod rerum dolor id. Asperiores velit dolor ea labore ea consequuntur repellendus molestiae.
Ipsum sint atque voluptas eaque ut quia. Tenetur impedit accusantium quos eum ut. Veritatis pariatur et laborum ex fugit totam.
See All Comments - 100% Free
WSO depends on everyone being able to pitch in when they know something. Unlock with your email and get bonus: 6 financial modeling lessons free ($199 value)
or Unlock with your social account...
Neque pariatur porro aspernatur sint amet recusandae et fugit. Quo incidunt id in molestias odio nesciunt eaque.
Aut at qui dignissimos et a qui ab. Aperiam eveniet et id esse recusandae. Et et amet aperiam nisi omnis expedita. Pariatur in eos odit quas enim et. Eum dolorum modi consequatur dicta qui tenetur est voluptatem. Architecto iure rerum dicta nihil blanditiis ut.
Sed iure voluptatem tempore est vel qui. Laborum dicta ex et temporibus quasi.