I-Banking in Cali
I just recently got accepted into Pepperdine University in Malibu and am very likely going there in fall. I also got acceptances from Wisconsin and Indiana and am waiting a few others(ED2 Emory). The only thing that held me back about those schools are the cold weather that I might not be able to handle.
I found many posts from this forum talking about Indiana and Wisconsin but didn’t see anything about Pepperdine, so could anyone tell me more of Pepperdine’s reputation in those big IB companies in SoCal? Also, I was wondering why everybody seemed like only considering Wall Street(I know it’s for sure high-paying and sounds prestigious) but why not California? Is it because the pay is higher on east coast? Or for what else reasons everyone is considering east coast over Cali? I personally wanted to stay within California because of its nice weather, but if IB jobs or works at companies in NYC/east coast will be much better, then I will reconsider my school choice.
One last very off-topic question about future IB career trend. I heard that the banks are not doing so well currently and will have layoffs a lot in the future when I go to seek for jobs, so I’m actually still quite unsure about doing IB (I’m not super good at math either). My parents wanted me to try the pre-Med track and to be a surgeon or dentist in future because those two are demanding and stable jobs. However, I personally don’t have so much interest in science (except biology) and becoming a doctor has such a long road to go. I’m more interested in IB because I like to meet new people and negotiate deals, and I also like it because it’s a very straightforward job(?) and is very high-paying. But I was still wondering have you ever regretted being stuck with IB?
Do not make college decisions based on where you have the best shot at IB. Go where you will enjoy it the most, and I can attest to the quality of women at Pepperdine. Turning down that school for a mid-west state school is the biggest regret of my life. I got interviews at literally every firm I networked at and even through just applying - I am from a non target. During training, I saw kids from schools I have literally not even heard from and I was at a midBB. This website grossly overestimates the effect your school has on your chances at placement. Just focus on studying hard and getting great grades and get a good sophomore year internship and you will be absolutely fine. Go to Pepperdine, party with hot girls, go to the beach, enjoy your life. IB can wait.
LOL, if you can't have fun and party at UW or IU, the problem is you.
Fully employed at what is likely the firm of your dreams but... :)
And with balls so big you can’t even post with a username, I see!
Make sure you are aggressive in reaching out to banks because OCR doesn't really exist. USC / UCLA are major feeders into the BB/EB. I've worked in LA IB for nearly 4 years and have seen exactly one resume from Pepperdine, and it was a kid who applied but never reached out for informationals so we didn't think twice. I'm sure the school is fine, you'll just have to do the legwork and networking with a lot of different banks (don't have the BB/EB or bust mentality for sure).