feel a bit lost---should i transfer? ( suggestions are badly needed!)

As someone who transferred, I would think you definitely have a chance at any of those schools. If you're an international you already probably have the HS grades / SAT scores, and your college grades are great, too. A few things to think about.. how will your reccs be? transfer schools like to see pretty solid reccs (which is hard at a large school like UVA). Also, ARE you happy? If you are, I don't think there's much need to leave since you're already at a really top state school Lastly, schools like to see that you have a reason to transfer- what is yours, really? Better academics (probably one of the better reasons to leave UVA)? Financial aid? etc..

On a side note- I transferred from a top LAC to a top state school with ~3.5 or so... got accepted into Cornell/Penn/Brown (I think this is moreso because of my HS grades, though). Many consider my transferring a "downgrade" so I may not be the best person to listen too... In transferring I didn't consider the recruiting aspect- I really just focused on where I would be happiest (and I think this work, I'm set to graduation with just above a 3.8 in a pretty difficult major).

A couple things to consider: As is always the case, top schools are crapshoots- ultimately, transfer because you think you will be happier. If you're unsure of where you want to go it's worth it to apply to a bunch off of your list. UVA already has great recruiting contacts- and as you have top grades, in the future, you will be in a really solid position to get the best interviews, etc.

PM if you want to discuss transferring further / my experience doing recruiting from a state school :)

First of all, the Mcintire school of commerce is fantastic. It is quite possible to secure an internship from your school. There is absolutely no need to transfer, if finding a job upon graduation is your only concern. I know people from schools that are worse than UVA but these kids have managed to secure full time offers with GS, credit suisse, MS and all. If you really want a job in these areas, the only way to go about it is to network, try and get as much leadership experience as possible and reach out to the alumni network.

I agree with what other posters have said about being happy at where you are.. but does your happiness relate to job prospects? Define "I love UVA." Do you love UVA less because its not Ivy/target/etc.?

UVA is a good school, and transferring to another may set you back and take a toll on your life and GPA. (i.e. more challenging fellow students, and you'll adjust to the school while other sophomores are ready to go since day 1.) ...but if I were you, I'd file out a few transfer apps just to have the option when the end of semester rolls around (assuming you'll have a better idea of what you want by then).

Good luck.

.

sent u a private message, check ur inbox

I would stay at UVA. Great program over there and you started out really well. You will have no problem getting into top SA programs.

Thanks everyone!!!I think i may turn in some applications, and think about it later when i get the results. I think there are a few things i need to clear. The first one is " I love UVA". It mainly means i love the friendly atmosphere,nice weather, cavalier football etc,but now i am bit worried as i heard its not that highly valued in wall street.As the industry is super hot and lack of connections, i am thinking about transfer to another university. The other thing is about my major. I have heard that undergraduate business school is not as good as econ major because it will narrow your knowledge down into a specific area and thus limit your potential in the future.I dont know if it is correct, but i plan to stay in liberal art college if it is correct. Please correct me though if i am wrong! Btw, I really know little about the school reputation or networks in the industry. May you guys give me some suggestions on which schools to apply, both have a chance and worth the try. Any more inputs are warmly welcomed ! :)

In my opinion, I think you should go to Mcintire. That is where all the connections are.

Are you nuts?!..how can McIntire narrow your knowledge man..you already lack analytical skills even though you have 4.0. Ok, let me explain. Comm school is a 2 year college with a compulsory core curriculum of 12+9 = 21 credit hours in third year. Fourth year you do the concentartion which is typically 9-12 credit hours for one concentation. That makes it total of 30-33 credit hours of a curriculum at the Comm school assuming that you do one concentration ex. finance (which is more than enough). Now, if you are pursuing the liberal arts program, you will still do a major in something and minimun credit hours to get a major will be 30. So where is the difference? There is a huge misconception among kids who decide not to do the comm school that it limits the way you think. Take liberal arts stuff in 1st and 2nd year, and focus on major i.e. comm school in third year. 4th year is again yours. As far as the reputation is concerned, do you even have an idea about how much McIntire is revered on the wall street. Have you looked at the sponsor list for mcintire, looked at the new building, its better than wharton (i have seen both). I think you are a prestige bitch, and that's why you are freaked out about your wall street job. McIntire placed 50% students from class of 2006 on the wall street straight (go to their website career services). Talk to their professors, you will fall in love with Prof. Wilkie. Btw. I am a second year applying to comm school this year, and I think it is worth it. I have taken all type of courses at UVa (history, math etc.). I am even majoring in econ. Try to be more logical and analytical in your approach.

It's better to stay somewhere you love and enjoy your undergrad experience. I've been actively involved in recruiting at more than one "selective" investment bank, and I'd take a 4.0 from UVA over 3.0-3.6 from "target" schools, as long as the rest of the package is there.

dude, its unnecessary. UVA is WIDELY viewed as the premier state school in the country, and if you kept a 3.7+, flat out you could get interviews, not to mention I know many UVA contact who are wildly successful in finance, IB/Private Equity especially.

im about to graduate a target school and interned last summer with a bulge and there were a ton of kids from uva. uva is definetely a target school and don't let anyone tell you differently.

UVA is a great school. Even considering transferring there if I don't get any opportunities in Ibanking for the summer.

Does anyone know how much of a difference the McIntire degree versus any other UVA degree have on IB recuritment

From my understanding, the Ivys seem to be exempt from this and students can major in whatever they like.  Is this also the case with UVA?

I have several friends from high school that went there.  A couple majored in subjects like philosophy/english with very high gpas and went into IB/S+T.  The # of interviews they got was over the top.