College Decision for MBB/Corp Strat Hopeful
I am currently a senior in high school hoping to begin my career in MBB/T2 Consulting, Corporate Strategy (Tech), Growth Equity, or Product Management (Tech). I understand that these are all very competitive roles, so I was curious about what school would be best for my career goals.
For some further background, I love Computer Science and would choose to study it in some capacity regardless of where I decide to go. I am interested in fields like Tech Strategy, Operations Management, and Supply Chain Management. I have a considerable amount of programming experience in a wide variety of contexts, and I would like to leverage my tech background within my prospective career. I would consider myself more introverted and analytical than extroverted. I am definitely not the type of person to rush a frat. I have a light preference towards remaining in the Midwest, but I am open to any location.
All of my options are listed below and have a similar cost:
- UIUC CS+Econ Blended Major (housed in College of LAS, not Gies Business/Grainger Engineering, but still very competitive for admission and same reputation as UIUC CS)
- IU Kelley Economic Consulting (Direct Admit)
- UF Warrington Finance BSBA
I am also awaiting a decision from the University of Michigan’s Industrial Engineering program, which also offers a specialization in Financial Engineering.
Apart from Kelley, I am not sure whether these schools offer a formal recruiting process to high finance similar to T20 private schools. At IU Kelley and UF, I would pursue the Consulting Workshop and the MSF program (respectively). On one hand, these programs are selective, but my stats are also at the upper end of admits at both UF and IU Kelley.
Thank you for any advice offered.
I would also like to add that I intend for this to be my terminal degree (ie no MBA).
I respect UIUC the most bc it's solid for tech, product management, etc. which is a huge field. Great representation in NYC and SF as well as being a pretty entreprenurial school. You could get IB from here, but would be a bit more of a struggle. Very possible though.
IU is probably your best shot for growth equity or consulting. If you get in the right clubs especially, it'll be helpful. I'd just be scared about having a chip on my shoulder because it's the worst of the ranked business schools (lowest of all targets). Plenty of smart IU kids with fantastic jobs, it's just that the school is a butt of many jokes.
UF is close to a non-target or maybe a low semi. Unless you're getting a great scholarship I really would not go here.
UMich clears. Very respected school. Even if you're in Ross, if you rush some business frats or whatever you'll be fine. UMich puts you in respected category with the tech bros and finance bros. 1000% choose this if you get in.
You can also always transfer, especially from these well respected but a cut below true targets. A 3.9 or 4.0 at any of these will get you into Uva, UMich, UC, Cornell, or any transfer friendly target.
Thanks for the feedback. I have heard the same sentiment from others on this forum about IU Kelley, but does it also translate into employment? For context, I am from a small city in the Midwest and target universities don’t admit any (maybe a few in the past decade) students from our schools. Most kids who go to UIUC, IU Kelley, UMich, etc. come back to our hometown within a decade, so I don’t really have anyone to ask.
If I approach IU with an earnest mindset, do you think it would be equivalent to UIUC? My main qualm is that UIUC doesn’t have a formalized recruiting process towards most high finance roles, whereas Kelley does. I have also heard some conflicting opinions on the workshops. Is GPA/RSO (Clubs) involvement enough, or do you need to be connected to the right people (I feel like I would struggle with that part)? If it helps, I would definitely begin my career in Chicago/Minneapolis/STL if I went the traditional finance/consulting route.
Also, I’m not sure if this is a valid consideration, but ultimately MBB consulting, Tech PM, and Growth Equity Analyst programs have a swath of Ivy League applicants better qualified than me. Do you think that I should consider the average outcomes or just shoot for the stars when considering which school to pick?
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