Cal vs UCLA (Math & Econ)

Cal is significantly better than UCLA when it comes to BB recruiting. UCLA is a regional target at best with most of the larger banks in LA taking kids from target schools + Cal, and the school does not place well elsewhere. That said, would be interested in going to a boutique? You should be fine staying in LA if so.

I'm not too familiar with transfer students, however, at these schools. Will you be able to get into Haas as a transfer? At either school, you're going to have to hit the ground running to make up for lost time (assuming you did two years at a CC) and crush your studies and networking game.

You really think you would enjoy investment banking after going through the rigor of a math degree?

Id be alright going to a BB but I would rather shoot for a BB.I did not apply to Haas because I wasn't able to get the required statistics class, but I took Calc 3 and Linear Algebra/Differential Equations instead. I don't think I can switch but there could be a way in I don't know about. I will have to network like crazy, because I'm essentially coming from zero. I tried getting internships last summer but firms wanted people from universities, not community college.The Math isn't a big deal to me, but I didn't want to put all my eggs in one basket and limit myself without the math if things don't work out.

If you would rather shoot for a BB, Cal is the better choice given the limited number of BBs that end up taking UCLA kids. You're going to have to crank hard because you're at a disadvantage to the Haas students who have been there the whole time. Not trying to burst your bubble, just trying to be a straight shooter with you here. Targeting boutiques would be a smarter choice, but nonetheless you should be aiming high.

Before you actually listen to anyone who writes on here, just check out an advanced search on linkedin of the BBs in LA/SF. I found a good amount of kids from Haas, ucla and even a decent amount from USC working for BBs in SF/LA. Haas has the advantage, but ucla isn't substantially worse. But again, you doing your own search is going to carry more weight than what others say.

ucla has gotten better in terms of ibanking but cal is hands down more of a target.

Or I guess was* cause he graduated

I guess I would have to decide where I want to place in and put the "prestige" part aside. If I want to stay in LA it seems that they are both even, but Berkeley will allow access to SF a bit easier than UCLA. I think Berkeley Econ is more rigorous and with math it may give me some different options. I've lived in north LA all my life so it is hard for me to say if I want to be in SF.

Saying UCLA has poor placement is completely incorrect. I know people who have gone to virtually all BBs, and some even get EB- including the likes of Moelis, Lazard and Qatalyst. That being said, yes UCLA is only a target on the west coast and Cal does have better placement, but UCLA is not a bad choice at all.

I know several people at UCLA and Cal that have received placement in elite boutique and BB's in California. One common thread that I found was their involvement in business fraternities that have historically had members go into investment banking. Because you're not in Haas, I'd make sure to join a good business fraternity for the support and networking opportunities, same goes with UCLA. Good luck!