International student choosing between US vs Australia for Finance

Hi everyone, I’m an international student planning to major in Finance and aiming to break into Investment Banking long-term. My options are University of Sydney (20% scholarship, ~45k USD/year total), Rutgers NB (~60k USD/year, low scholarship chance), and UMass Amherst (~48k USD/year total). I prefer the US for its stronger IB pipeline, but it would create more financial pressure on my family. My goal is to gain work experience abroad first and eventually return to Vietnam. Given IB opportunities, visa risks, and total cost, which option would offer the best balance between breaking into IB and overall ROI?

9 Comments
 

Without considering the difference in school, I’d recommend the U.S. given its importance and opportunities. The Canadian economy is somewhat similar to Australia (I have extensive family living there). The financial services sector is significantly smaller on per capita basis and competition is much more intense (pay is lower too). U.S. banks are much more open to internationals. 

 

dog shit. being on f-1 with no TN in the U.S. is a pain in the ass. youre at the mercy of the H1b lottery, forcing yourself to have to study a quantiative/stem-oriented degree for STEM-OPT, and being closed off from a lot of bank processes because of immigration status... while f-1 (non-TNs) can make it work in the U.S. i would not say "U.S. banks are much more open to internationals," nor do i think the answer is cut and clear like this. if you decide you dont wanna do banking/FO finance in the USA and want to stay here long-term (which many want or need to do given the salary delta between the U.S. and their home countries like Vietnam), there are also VERY limited other career options. canadians acting like theyre on the same playing ground as other f1s piss me off bad. this is all coming from an incoming opt/f-1 to a well-known MM NYC office.

edit (adding my personal take): would pursue the U.S. if youre committed to the sacrifices and risks and know what you're getting into recruiting from a non-target as an f1. if youre not dead set on grinding and staying focused on finance for the first 1-2 yrs of college/dont wanna take the risks esp in todays climate i would choose canada or australia 

 

Can only speak on the US. I would pick Rutgers. I'm pretty sure if you lock in there IB is possible. Idt Umass has a consistent IB pipeline. Transferring to a target is always an option and pretty doable if you have a good gpa in your freshman year.

 

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