American University for UG?

As you may or may not know I am an undergrad student preparing to transfer to a target/semi-target. Is there a general consensus for AU? The school has a 22% acceptance rate and looks like they place really well into EY and Deloitte. However, I don't see anything relevant to investment banking. Is there anyone who can speak from experience or maybe compare it to GWU?

Thanks guy!

Edit: I am also applying to NYU, UVA, UMich, W&M, GWU, Syracuse, UMD, and Baruch. I'm well aware most of these are the obvious better choices for IB; however, I meet a guaranteed admissions contract for AU (by coincidence) and just discovered it seems like a decent school.

11 Comments
 

All those schools would be better options than AU if finance is your end goal. DC specifically, the best options would be Gtown, GWU, UMD. AU is for those who aspire to enter law, public policy, or gov't consulting.

 
Best Response

Big difference between NYU, UVA, Umich and the rest on your list.

AU places well into Big 4 and consulting roles b/c of its relationships with government consulting. These jobs are absolute shit when it comes to intellectual challenge, but pay pretty well, and have much different lifestyles than corporate-focused management consulting where you'd be traveling M-T every week. The exit opps for such positions are much more limited as you tend to get stuck in government-related jobs (contractors included) once you are part of it.

It also places well into Citi, JPM, but those are for more middle and back office roles or FLDP programs. The strong outlier students that perform well have broken into Barclays, JPM, UBS IB and S&T groups. Overall, it's not even a semi-target though.

GWU would give you a better shot, but it isn't Georgetown (not sure why you wouldn't look at that if you are applying to NYU, UVA, Umich). Also steer clear of UMD, which placement to IB is more of an exception.

 

I'm well aware. NYU, UVA, and UMich are my top 3 of the list; the rest are my best choices if declined.

I definitely don't want to go BO/MO or into Govt. Consulting. If that's the case then AU will definitely stay as just my safety school in the event I don't get into any of those schools.

Also, at this point it's very clear that GWU is the best choice after the target schools for me so thanks! I don't have the GPA to get into Georgetown (3.4). UVA and GWU are holistic and my EC's/Major GPA(4.0)/Essay are all bangers so i'm banking on those.

 

Just some insight as I had previously tried (twice) to transfer to Commerce at UVA. First time was my freshman year with a 3.67 and second time was with a 3.72GPA. Interestingly enough, I was waitlisted my first time and denied straight out the second time. I would say your high school GPA and your SAT scores will weigh heavily, even though they may say otherwise.. Feel free to PM if interested.

 

Repellendus odio minus nobis. Non aliquid ipsa quo qui harum eos. Aut eius repellendus esse consectetur. Dolor est et sunt nobis ratione minima.

Career Advancement Opportunities

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.9%
  • Goldman Sachs 02 97.3%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.5%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 98.9%
  • Evercore 01 98.4%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.9%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.3%

Professional Growth Opportunities

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.9%
  • JPMorgan No 97.3%

Total Avg Compensation

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (53) $259
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (28) $184
  • Intern/Summer Associate (15) $159
  • 1st Year Analyst (84) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (76) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”