Need Help Picking A College

I want to pursue wall street and need help picking a school. I've gotten into Amherst, Colby, Colgate, Northwestern, Vanderbilt, WashU Olin, and Williams. I was also waitlisted at Duke. I like all these schools otherwise, I wouldn't have applied. I know that Colby and Colgate are probably the worst for recruiting. Which one of these schools would be best for getting on the street. I want to go into IB for a few years and then probably transition into HF. I feel like HF fits me the best.

Also, the cost is fairly similar between all the schools, so I'm not worried about that.

9 Comments
 

Amherst or Williams. Close enough to the street and great pedigree, plus super loyal alumni who are willing to stick up their necks for you.

Cb
 

Can’t go wrong with a NESCAC, Williams and Amherst place across the street really strong. Colby is a target for BAML, GS. These schools don’t have as many kids recruiting for IB making it a smaller applicant pool pre-superday.

 

Northwestern is probably the best in terms of target school recruiting. However, I know a few friends who mentioned the recruiting maybe to specific for the Chicago-area, so consider that?

In terms of the liberal arts school, you would be shocked at the alumni bond between the professionals on the street. The smaller class sizes make it a little bit more specific and catered recruiting experience.

Also, WashU is a great option and is a semi-target that has a great prescence on the Street. However, I know the school is very big on medicine (great school) so that might impact the general vibe / culture of the school?

Congrats on the acceptances - you got into some amazing schools. Good luck!

 

Fellow NESCACer here. Here's how I see it. You can be at a great school like NU competing for a limited amount of slots with a ton of other kids who wanted to be I bankers out of the womb. Or, you can go to a liberal arts which, yes, have smaller but ultimately untapped alumni. Didn't realize this at applications but Forbes grateful grads list is very indicative of the alumni and their willingness to get back to you after a cold call or email. Liberal arts (williams, bowdoin) are near the top of the list. 99% of the kids in my schools finance club have never heard of an EB, and there are plenty of alumni at those shops. Would you rather be a big fish in a small pond or vice versa? Pick your poison.

 

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