Most Important College Decision

I go to a top Liberal Arts College and am somewhat questioning my choices... I study my ass of to get B's and it doesnt help that my school is located right next to a major state university. Watching the droves of people going out from Wed-Sunday and swiping through literally thousands of babes on tinder is making me question my life choices.
Basically my question is whether its better to be average (3.3) at a top school vs having a 3.8+ at a decent state school and having the time of your life while doing it? my school doesn't really have harvard style grade inflation and the classes are usually curved to a B, which doesnt sound too bad in theory but when everyone was their high school valedictorian and got a 2200+ on the SAT, alot of decently smart kids end up getting CS

 

I get that above average performers at an Ivy/top school will come out way ahead of the 4.0 nontarget, but when dealing with less-standout students at ivies, which is better? There's only so many consulting/IB analyst positions and the average performers at ivies arent getting these jobs

 
Best Response
goblue2019:

I get that above average performers at an Ivy/top school will come out way ahead of the 4.0 nontarget, but when dealing with less-standout students at ivies, which is better? There's only so many consulting/IB analyst positions and the average performers at ivies arent getting these jobs

Average performers from Ivys are getting IB positions, just not the top groups / banks. A student at an Ivy with an average GPA and not much relevant experience could get a analyst position at Raymond James / SunTrust fairly easily with a little effort.
 

Honestly, it would help to know what school you go to and/or what school is nearby. Private liberal arts schools and state schools both vary a lot in quality. I don't think that would out you too much, but I understand if you don't want to say where you are.

Commercial Real Estate Developer
 

Being a non-target rockstar (3.8+ GPA, relevant interneships, leadership, significant clubs/organizational involvement) will always trump the mediocre ivy league student. My advice to you is to see if it's possible to pad your GPA with cakewalk classes (trust me, they exist at every school) and then seriously consider transferring if you aren't gaining academic/professional traction at your current LAC.

 

Necessitatibus laudantium qui aspernatur quidem tempora. Vel amet rerum minus dolor blanditiis eos numquam nulla. Dolor rerum cum repellat ducimus quidem et.

Reprehenderit aut sed culpa sit eos enim. Quas qui aut ullam modi nam. Natus a quidem libero autem. Voluptatem ut est repellat.

Career Advancement Opportunities

May 2024 Investment Banking

  • Jefferies & Company 02 99.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 19 98.8%
  • Harris Williams & Co. New 98.3%
  • Lazard Freres 02 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 04 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

May 2024 Investment Banking

  • Harris Williams & Co. 18 99.4%
  • JPMorgan Chase 10 98.8%
  • Lazard Freres 05 98.3%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.7%
  • William Blair 03 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

May 2024 Investment Banking

  • Lazard Freres 01 99.4%
  • Jefferies & Company 02 98.8%
  • Goldman Sachs 17 98.3%
  • Moelis & Company 07 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 05 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

May 2024 Investment Banking

  • Director/MD (5) $648
  • Vice President (20) $385
  • Associates (88) $260
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (14) $181
  • Intern/Summer Associate (33) $170
  • 2nd Year Analyst (67) $168
  • 1st Year Analyst (205) $159
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (146) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
99.0
5
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
6
kanon's picture
kanon
98.9
7
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
8
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
9
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.8
10
Linda Abraham's picture
Linda Abraham
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”