UCL vs UofT to go to consulting?

Hi monkeys. I'm new to the site so please forgive any noobie mistakes, so basically I've been admitted to UCL's Information Management for Business (BSc) program and am a person who is intending on pursuing a consulting position in either NYC/SV (preferably in fintech/tech giants/BBs). Do you think that this degree would allow me to do so? If so, what are the steps I must take to get to my destination? Sorry for seeming lost as there isn't much guidance round this thing throughout my environment, but would gladly learn from you guys.

Furthermore, I am Indonesian, so that might come into consideration when applying for the job.. any insights on this issue? I am also considering to get an MBA or MSc in computer science or both later down the road if necessary. I have also been admitted to the University of Toronto (UofT), computer science (can double major in econ, etc). Should I go to UofT or UCL? Any insights would help.

 
Best Response

Yup - "why do you need sex when UofT fucks you everyday" that being said, comp sci at UofT is pretty highly regarded in Canada. I met a McKinsey consultant @ Toronto who came from that program (and I'd guess he is not the only one). Also, a low or lower than ideal GPA will not stop you from getting into a top MBA if you went through a tough school/program. The adcoms are aware of which schools and types of program are particularly tough on GPAs. I don't know the exact details about UCL, but I'd assume that the school AND the program are good enough to get you into MBB. If that's the case, then it's down to choosing between living in Toronto vs London. (I'd pick London but that's because I am from Toronto and the grass is always greener on the other side)

 

Both are great degrees and will open doors. I can speak a bit more for UCL than UofT being London based.

Course-wise, one thing I would argue is that the appeal of taking joint degrees like Information Management for Business over something like straight Comp Sci is a bit of a fallacy - I know a guy from UCL Comp Sci who did several BB internships and now work at Google; so given you can do that with Comp Sci, there seems little point in risking your degree to be regarded as diluted just to throw some business studies in.

With respect to your question, in the UK it has to be said that MBB recruiting is very Oxbridge heavy - Imperial and LSE send a lesser share, as do other targets/semi-targets like UCL/Warwick/Bristol/Durham, but overall UCL isn't a big feeder at all - so if UofT is a main pipeline to MBB in Canada then that's a much safer bet.

Personally though, I think that given you have no idea what the next 3-4 years holds or how your ambition will change (I had no idea I wanted to do Consulting before I started Uni) this has to be about the city choice as previously alluded to. London is an amazing proposition but studying in a city of ~9million people isn't for everyone, and it's seriously expensive as a student. Hope that helps.

 

Yes, it's very Oxbridge heavy but that's also because of selection bias. Most of the brightest high school kids go with their Oxbridge offer if they get one. I don't know anything about Canadian schools, but UCL is a safe bet for interviews if you have a high GPA and some leadership positions. Imperial is a good engineering school but I rarely see them being hired, and are not as often interviewed as UCL and LSE. In fact, from those four schools you'll get on a target pile for interviews, imperial is lumped with 'rest' together with Warwick, durham etc. Doesnt mean at all that you can't get interviews from those schools, just much less likely

 

I hear you re: Oxbridge but having done IB internships as well, I saw far more Imperial than UCL people - I think the fact less are hired is more a function of the majority not taking the finance/consulting track. The ones that do tend to place very well. On UCL, I think it's a stretch to say it's a safe bet for MBB interviews, but I have no doubt you can get a few at Tier 2 consultancies

 

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