I’m accepted to Penn State Smeal and Miami-Ohio Farmer for finance. My goal is to pursue IB in Chicago, my hometown, and I’m unsure which is better. I know neither are targets so I’m really trying to maximize my chances of breaking in. Miami is closer but Penn State has the NLF and I think is better overall.
Your thoughts would be appreciated! Thanks God bless all of you
| +216 | UBS Accused of Favoring H-1B Workers While Cutting U.S.-Born Employees | 51 | 15h |
| +109 | IB Energy Drink Tier List / Ranking | 72 | 23h |
| +105 | ONLY THESE BANKS OR YOU STRUCK OUT | 33 | 14m |
| +91 | PJT M&A Group Selection 2026 | 14 | 18h |
| +51 | Feedback for internship first desk at IBD BB - personal fit, "don't be too confident" | 29 | 20h |
| +50 | Firm Thinks I'm Lying About Offer | 18 | 12h |
| +31 | Stay at Weak Dealflow Team or Lateral? | 7 | 22h |
| +30 | Does BofA still pay its associates rat pellets? | 15 | 20h |
| +27 | Rogo AI | 6 | 8h |
| +24 | Indiana University Fraternity Pipelines | 13 | 19h |
Career Resources
Get instant access to lessons taught by experienced private equity pros and bulge bracket investment bankers including financial statement modeling, DCF, M&A, LBO, Comps and Excel Modeling.
As a Miami alum, there is a strong alumni base in Chicago. Banking club is great and a lot of alumni have gone into IB, so I think its a great choice. I've also seen plenty of kids go through Penn State into IB broadly. I dont think NLF really makes a difference. I certainly would not give a single fuck about it.
Know a few kids that went to mm
Penn state def more regarded tho and probably places much better
Penn State by a mile. Much more well known school with established pipelines and a why chicago is easy given it’s your hometown
Go to whatever’s cheaper and then transfer to a target
Bad advice. No reason to transfer to a target nowadays and pay 5x more. Unless money is a non-factor. He can get the job he’s looking for at his state school
Depends. You can still receive aid as a transfer.
I work in Chicago and don’t really have an opinion one way or the other (not that it means they are equal) so my advice would be to go where you want to go
Got to OSU, look at the Fisher Futures Program. Places nearly all kids between NYC and CHI. You get looks at all the MM/UMM firms in CHI as more alum stay in banking there and are really receptive towards kids in the program.
Miami Forsure. Great Chicago network and super hot chicks.
Source: I worked in the Chicago PE and my wife is a Miami grad
You don’t think Penn State would make it easier to break in?
You sure you got the right Miami? This is the Miami in OHIO lol
Iykyk. Miami OH has some smoke shows for the Midwest and 8 of the F500 CEOs graduated from Miami OH. Underrated option for college in the Midwest
lol none of the above
I recommend Miami Ohio, since the Midwest-Chicago connection is stronger. Penn State has a much stronger alumni base on the east coast compared to Chicago. For example, go on LinkedIn and search for the most senior Penn State investment banking alumni - most are probably in New York. Miami has a lot more in Chicago.
Choosing college is also about what types of people you want to meet and become friends with. Penn State's student population is a lot of east coasters. Miami much more proportionally consists of people from Ohio and the Midwest, who are probably more similar to you than somebody who summers in Cape Cod, Massachusetts (did you know "summer" is a verb?).
What the hell is Miami-Ohio? I’ve never heard of that
Quas dicta est animi perferendis molestiae ut molestiae dolorum. Fugiat voluptas unde velit quisquam. Rerum dolores et facere expedita voluptatem. Sit eum repudiandae sint itaque rerum quos.
Et natus rerum sequi quis nam officia nulla magnam. Ea vel sequi repudiandae nihil aspernatur quia est. Quis maxime soluta qui esse voluptate. Hic quidem quas quam porro perferendis maiores.
See All Comments - 100% Free
WSO depends on everyone being able to pitch in when they know something. Unlock with your email and get bonus: 6 financial modeling lessons free ($199 value)
or Unlock with your social account...