Cambridge (Economics) vs UChicago
Very fortunate to have offers at both Cambridge (Economics) and UChicago. Aim to work in BB IB and MF PE. What should I choose?
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Cambridge for international branding and prestige. Uchi if you want a good shot at IB
Probably UChic. London IB recruiting is so random - even if you go to Cambridge, I wouldn’t say an IB offer is guaranteed, but of course the uni brand will take you far. It’s different in the US where you can break in through networking which IMO makes it easier to break in for those who are willing to work for it.
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I’d pick based on where you want to live post graduation. Congrats!
Yeah I’d honestly second this. Both top-tier universities and you’ll be able to break in with both. Just choose London vs NYC/Chicago/SF/etc.
UChic if you want to a ‘better’ chance of breaking into banking. Recruitment in the UK is just random and super luck based, whereas in the USA you’ll actually have to work for it to get interviews.
For example, I know a few really good candidates from Oxbridge and LSE that are very driven, have good experience but have not received a single interview for Summer Analyst 2025
Adding onto above, yes London is harder to land IB in but I wouldn't let that sway you if you really wanted Cambridge as if you work hard you will very likely get a spot.
I would be more considerate about chances of MF PE in London. There's proportionally less spots here and PE recruiting is heavily weighted towards European language skills (browse MF PE linkedin and compare the proportion of Europeans vs at IBs). If you're a born and bred american who only speaks English that's something to consider.
I agree with all above comments, University of chicago will probably give you a higher chance of breaking into banking if you work hard because the UK is very random when recruiting compared to the USA. You have things like 'spring weeks' in the UK that fill a large number of summer analyst positions that are quite random to score.
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Even from UChicago, recruiting in U.S. is pretty random. You’ll easily get the top gig if you are a girl or a person of color due to recruiting efforts to increase DEI. Also, many firms are becoming more stingy on sponsoring international students. Just be aware that it‘s going to be an uphill battle for straight white/asian male without permanent residency in the U.S.
This is the point
In London I can hire anyone I want and pay a small amount of money to sponsor them
In the US it’s a total crapshoot and very difficult if you’re not a US citizen. I have a real problem when there is an international I like for NY.
Unless you are a US citizen the probabilities of actually being able to work are much higher in London.
The dei randomness is greater in london since HRs pursue diversity of unis as well
Has been exactly the same at my target school. For some reason, the total number of GS/MS/JPM/LAZ//PJT/MOE/EVR placement annually had never been more than 8 for non dei people. Go to Columbia/Chicago/Duke type school.
UChicago probably has marginally better recruiting opportunities but don't underestimate the college experience. It's literally night and day between UChicago and Oxbridge. According to from friends who go to UChicago, the campus is total ass, tons of crime and surrounded by one of the worst low-income/low-opportunity neighborhoods in America. Terrible weather as well and very muted social scene.
Prestige-wise, Cambridge beats UChicago 10 times out of 10.
Its much better to recruit in HK/SG with a degree from cambridge since UK recruiting is such a dogshit. Attending target is not beneficial at all.
Chicago is way more represented in HK than Cambridge just FYI. HK IB recruiting is dominated by US schools.
Avoid UK. If ur non-DEI a socmob/diversity psychology student from manchester/sheffield will be prioritized over u. The data shows that non-targets students have higher interview/offer rates compared to the applicants from target.
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