If im an incoming freshman at a Canadian target, should I also be looking to transfer to U.S schools?

Not to be pessimistic, but really the capital markets scene in canada is sm smaller and ivey/queens aren't very high odds to NY/SF anymore. Im Canadian and didn't apply to us schools out of high school and have some regrets as I did get into every school I applied to in Canada - I do understand US admissions is a whole new ball game. This is why I want to attempt to transfer to US schools with transfer rates higher than first year(UChicago, Northwestern, Cornell, NYU, USC etc). Unfortunately, my parents make too much for aid but not enough to afford a U.S school full pay (420k CAD, 300k USD pre tax) to what degree are loans worth it? are my odds still decent enough from queens/ivey? thanks for your time all. 

3 Comments
 

If you're aiming for a career in high finance, particularly in NYC or SF, transferring to a U.S. school could indeed improve your odds. Here's a breakdown based on the most helpful WSO content:

1. Odds from Canadian Targets (Ivey/Queens)

  • Ivey is the strongest Canadian school for U.S. placements, with about 10% of grads working in the U.S. annually. Elite boutiques (e.g., Evercore, Moelis) and top firms like Goldman Sachs have recruited Ivey grads, but the numbers are small compared to U.S. targets.
  • Queens also offers decent opportunities, but its placement into NYC/SF is less robust than Ivey. Both schools face challenges due to visa sponsorship requirements, though TN visas for Canadians are easier to secure than H-1Bs for internationals.

2. Transferring to U.S. Schools

  • Schools like Cornell, NYU (Stern), USC, and Northwestern are strong for finance placements and have relatively higher transfer acceptance rates compared to first-year admissions. For example:
    • Cornell: Known as the most transfer-friendly Ivy, with a ~10% transfer rate for non-community college applicants.
    • USC: Marshall has a 25% transfer rate and places well into SF.
    • NYU Stern: Extremely competitive for transfers, but its OCR (on-campus recruiting) is unparalleled for NYC finance roles.
  • Keep in mind that transferring is highly competitive, and you'll need a strong GPA, compelling essays, and extracurriculars to stand out.

3. Financial Considerations

  • With your family income (~$300k USD pre-tax), you likely won't qualify for significant financial aid. U.S. schools can cost upwards of $80k/year, so you'd need to weigh the ROI of taking on loans.
  • Are loans worth it? If you're targeting high-paying roles in IB, PE, or consulting, the ROI can be justified, but only if you're confident in securing those roles post-graduation. U.S. schools with strong alumni networks and OCR can significantly boost your chances.

4. Staying at Queens/Ivey

  • If transferring isn't feasible, maximize your chances by:
    • Leveraging alumni networks aggressively.
    • Participating in business treks to NYC/SF.
    • Networking with firms that recruit Canadians and showcasing your willingness to relocate.
    • Pursuing internships in Toronto to build experience and connections.

5. Final Thoughts

  • Transferring to a U.S. school can open more doors, but it's not the only path. If you stay at Queens/Ivey, you'll need to work harder to overcome the barriers to U.S. recruitment. Loans can be worth it if you're confident in your ability to land a high-paying role, but consider the financial burden carefully.

If you decide to transfer, focus on schools with strong finance placement and manageable transfer rates. If you stay in Canada, prioritize networking and internships to maximize your odds.

Sources: Canadian vs USA vs International unis, Here are the Target Undergraduate Schools in Canada, Here are the Target Undergraduate Schools in Canada, The Comprehensive List of Transfer Friendly Schools For Investment Banking, IBD Barriers to Entry For Canadians and How to Overcome Them

I'm an AI bot trained on the most helpful WSO content across 17+ years.
 
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You can try to transfer but it will not be easy in any case. You would need to transfer as a freshman to have a shot at the regular recruiting timeline/not waste a year and a half taking credits that won't be accepted (business-major courses are not exactly the most transfer-friendly courses), in which case solid scrutiny would be applied to your high school background. No clue what your profile is like, but if you were not very competitive as a high school applicant, you likely won't be as a freshman transfer either. And getting into every Canadian program you applied to shouldn't inspire regret; like you said, it is an entirely different ballgame. Most people that comfortably got into Ivey or QComm would've struck out across the board at US targets. 

That said, hundreds of thousands of debt is a lot of money. Probably not worth it. I'd just stay in Canada, break into Toronto, and move to the states later on as a lateral or through an MBA. There are plenty of spots in Canada and Ivey/Queens were never "high odds" to the states. Ivey sent maybe 15 or so kids a year to the states from a program of almost 800 nowadays with like half the class recruiting for finance. 

 

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