School for west coast banking?

Between USC and University of Michigan, which would be the better option if my ultimate goal is to get into ib in SF or LA? I would probably do a quantiative major like engineering or CS.

8 Comments
 

I'd take USC if you are dedicated to LA/SF. Michigan has a huge draw to NYC.

That being said, I'd go with the school you are happiest with. Of my interviewers on the west coast the breakdown is as follows: UVa, BYU, Wharton (UG), Yale, Brown, Booth Business School, Harvard Business School.

Keep in mind that was only for two top, NYC heavy investment banks. Other banks probably have a more regional pull.

I don't care who your dad is
 

@ballin3201" It really depends. If you are a top student at Brown you could end up at a great bank. This is true of most schools. However Yale, Dartmouth, Harvard, Columbia, Wharton and Princeton all have stronger networks. The population of students opting for banking as opposed to consulting or tech is also much lower. Not sure if this is due to 1) Lack of undergrad business. 2) Lack of interest 3) Lack of Business School (more alumni).

We don't get on campus recruiting from Houlihan Lokey, Greenhill, Lazard, Citi, UBS or DB — but we do from PJSC, Centerview, PWP, GS (head of Junior banking is Brown Alum), MS (More to GCM/ AM), JPM, Barclays, Jefferies. Indirect "campus recruiting" through CS and Qatalyst (encourage applicants).

I don't care who your dad is
 

Illum nostrum veritatis facilis soluta placeat distinctio soluta. Odio at molestiae adipisci provident voluptatem. Unde fugiat repellendus magni rem ut.

Veniam exercitationem placeat repellat ea adipisci. Cupiditate sed voluptate sed iusto dolores tempora soluta. Perspiciatis totam libero laborum perspiciatis voluptatem deleniti quibusdam consequatur. Odit accusamus voluptas assumenda occaecati temporibus. Laborum laborum et quos ducimus ut. Commodi velit autem molestiae esse hic hic autem quasi. Vero rerum consectetur sed et.

Est voluptates repellendus saepe quo. Quam recusandae voluptatem et possimus ut expedita ipsum. Ducimus officia maxime sapiente tempore.

Numquam ut fugit qui optio laboriosam saepe. Inventore illum dicta pariatur porro dolores voluptatem. Voluptatem quisquam saepe sed sed nihil quibusdam. Ad ad voluptas rerum nam accusamus tenetur veritatis.

Career Advancement Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.3%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.7%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 98.8%
  • Evercore 01 98.3%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.7%
  • Banco Santander 01 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 98.3%
  • JPMorgan 01 97.7%
  • Goldman Sachs 02 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (14) $434
  • Associates (44) $258
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (13) $156
  • 1st Year Analyst (79) $150
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (73) $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
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
3
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
4
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
5
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
6
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
7
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
8
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
9
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
10
bolo up's picture
bolo up
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...”