northwestern vs cornell for a hs senior who wants to work in a hedge fund one day
sorry if this is not relevant. I have a 75% shot at NU and a 25% shot at Cornell, for CS+Econ. Which one? Is there a big difference? Does the Cornell name go a lot lot further? thanks so much
First off, I’m across the pond, so take this with a pinch of salt. To your question, if you work hard and genuinely love what you’re doing, you can make it from either university. So I don’t think this is really an argument about whether one school opens dramatically more doors than the other, although Cornell does have an edge in name recognition. I think the question is how the name carries 10, 20, or 30 years down the line. The world can be shallow, and first impressions go farther than we like to admit. I studied at Warwick and UCL. Imagine a fund full of LSE/Imperial/UCL/Warwick graduates, that’s obviously a very strong group (academically). But it still doesn’t quite have the same effect as being able to say to an LP “we only hire Oxbridge graduates". Oxbridge has a kind of instant recognition and “wow” factor that very few institutions have. I think there’s a similar dynamic with Cornell vs Northwestern. Cornell is an Ivy League university, Northwestern isn’t. This will mean something to a lot of people, particularly outside the US, and the Cornell name will probably carry greater immediate weight. But more than that, this is actually about signalling. Fairly or unfairly, certain institutions have the power to say “This person has already been selected and vetted by an institution that everyone recognises and respects". If that person later falls short, nobody is going to look at the Cornell name and think you were unreasonable for taking the chance on them. Institutional stamps like these can carry a lot of weight, particularly as you get further into your career and first impressions become increasingly compressed.
That said, I definitely wouldn’t frame Northwestern as a materially worse outcome. If NU is the much more likely option, I’d be very happy with it. And that aside, the greatest equaliser will always be what you ultimately achieve and not the branding of where you studied or worked.
You obviously have no idea what you’re talking about. In the US, Northwestern and Cornell are peer schools, along with Dartmouth, Brown, Duke, etc. There is barely any material difference, and it anything, Northwestern is perceived as slightly more prestigious.
You’re broadly right but Cornell doesn’t clear the bar for a “wow” factor. Only HYPSM do (which is not to say the other Ivy+ schools aren’t great).
.
Northwestern’s ranked 7, and Cornell’s ranked 12, not the other way around. Other comment is crazy for implying Cornell carries more cachet
thanks, the reason i have to decide now is that i have to pick one school for ed (only one)
Understood, well if thats the case choose whichever school you think you will have more fun at / fit in better at / will maximize your happiness. I promise you, 10 years from now you will thank me for this advice.
You're clearly smart and driven, both schools will give you excellent opportunities.
As someone who was in your shoes less than 4 years ago, a word of advice. Don't count on getting into either. Unless you know for sure (which the quoted probabilities suggest isn't the case) don't ask these questions until you have to actually make the decision. Asking Balyasny vs Citadel vs P72 is fun but unless you actually have an offer from all 3 it's just a circlejerk for people to try and flex where they're currently working. - Signed, kid who thought he'd get an ivy and is in recruiting hell at a non target
sure but im going off my schools naviance which shows a record of literally everyone who applied w their stats and my ecs are much much better than average (olympiad medalist), thats how im getting the probabilities. i go to a feeder so it's a bit different
Then apply to HYPSM or Wharton?
You know nothing of my background and assume priors. You'll love this industry.
Northwestern is better
Good luck with you decision
Ithaca SUCKSSS bro both of those are targets, even if there were a difference the delta is not worth trading away your college experience stuck in Ithaca for 4 whole years. Idk what Evanston's reputation is but at least it's an hour from Chicago vs Ithaca being 4 hours from NYC.
Though I will concede that Cornell being a well known standalone brand name and an Ivy will be very slightly more likely to open doors OUTSIDE of high finance / big tech, impress people that aren't from Illinois, get an extra look on dating apps or first dates, etc. Might be something you care about, it is normal even if we all call it stupid lool
Ut qui provident nemo corporis ut distinctio. Alias ut non a fugit minus sequi. Qui porro quam accusantium dolores explicabo et. Ut similique delectus dolorem sed tempora omnis.
Aliquam magni nihil labore itaque dolores qui. Autem vitae eveniet magnam voluptatem earum. At molestiae eaque totam doloribus quod. Sit voluptate aliquam officia iusto.
Inventore quo iusto est ut qui nam dolorum. Qui et maiores sint ullam ut. Quidem amet blanditiis quidem odio corporis libero non. Ut in itaque quo mollitia sunt quos aut quo.
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...