Need help choosing between two non-targs

So it's looking like I will only have the option between UC Davis and UC San Diego barring a miracle in which I somehow get into Berkeley(im missing a pre-req).

Between Davis and San Diego, which one would you choose? Both are top 10 publics but unfortunately that's not enough to interest investment banks(And I don't blame them). Berkeley is the top dog.

Here is what I've compiled between the 2 schools in terms of pros/cons.

UC Davis (managerial economics)
pros: The major is more finance/consulting friendly. More applicable and less theoretical. UC Davis is about 1 hr 30 mins from San Francisco and about an hour from Berkeley giving me more options. There are a few alumni (think 10-15) in ibanking. Mostly at BBs. No one is really interested in ibanking so less competition.

cons: OCR is not banking friendly. UCD is a huge STEM school. Very rare for someone to break into IBD. In fact I don't know of anyone who recently has. Major is weaker than UCSD's econ. Definitely not on the level of UC Berkeley/UCLA.

UC San Diego(economics)
pros: They have an investment society/club that actually helps UCSD students looking to break into ibanking(no guarantees though). There are a few kids that make it into BB banking each year. Some have gone into MMs like Jefferies. Econ program is well respected, much better than UC Davis. More alumni in banking than UC Davis.

cons: the major is very theoretical and not applicable at all. It's really geared for students looking to go into grad school for economics. Not for finance/consulting etc. Traveling to LA is an option but about 2-3 hrs away + competition with UCLA and USC (both semi-targets) and UCI(Recruited by regional banks). UCSD overall can be described as very painful to attend. No social atmosphere and it is a massive STEM school. OCR is not ibanking friendly. More competition and less spots in the LA area.

Transferring is not an option and I know this is really more about picking the less shitty non-target so I am already aware of that. These are pretty much the only options I have. Any advice is appreciated. Thank you.

4 Comments
 

Cal student here.

UCDavis = no respect in LA IB UC SD = some respect in LA IB

Go to UCSD, try to get internships in LA during your summers.

Ideally:

Do UCSD, try your hardest to transfer to UCLA/USC/Berk

"Come at me, bro"- José de Palafox y Melci
 

Thanks for the reply lasampdoria. I am actually in the transfer process right now and still crossing fingers for Berkeley but more realistically it'll be Davis/SD. Thank you again.

 

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