College Decision Advice: Syracuse vs UConn

Hi, I'm looking to break onto wall street, thinking IB, Equity Research, M&A, or something math related(my dream is quant but I'm aware that's extremely hard to get into, so I think I might want to pursue an MFE after undergrad). I also might want to pursue an actuarial career. Unfortunately because of financial reasons, my choices were narrowed down to UConn and Syracuse, which I'm aware are both non targets. The target/semi schools I got into are all 200k+, so they are completely off the table(my parents are very against me taking on huge debt, so they won't pay for anything if I choose one of those). I'm also pretty confident I can get a >3.8 at both schools, or maybe even a 4.0. At both I would do a dual major in Math/Statistics and Finance, and UConn actually has a pretty interesting quantitative finance concentration and an actuarial finance program, so I would dual major in those. Surprisingly Syracuse and UConn will be about the same money wise, since I got the Leadership Scholar award and more than half-off tuition. The award I got is apparently really selective(abt 4% of B-school students get it) and will open me up to selective networking events at Syracuse. I'm also pretty sure I'll get into Honors at Syracuse, and I will apply to Honors at UConn after freshman year. I would be able to learn more some financial math and quant coding at UConn, but I'm sure I can learn some on my own(C++, Python, Java, MATLAB, etc.). Also Syracuse has the Orange Value Fund, a student-run Hedge fund, and UConn has Hillside Ventures, a student-run VC fund. Which one do you guys think will help best place into MM IB, ER, or similar fields? And what about placement into top MFE's? And for MFE/quant placement/prep should I major in Applied math or Statistics?(Also for some reason my parents are against transferring, so unfortunately as of right now that's off the table)

Also UConn has probably a better location, bc of its proximity to Boston and NYC, but Syracuse probably also has good NYC placement.

And I'm aware that at both schools I will NEED to work extremely hard on networking, ECs, internships, etc. since they're non-targets.

 

If you’re interested in quant, go UConn. Lots of hedge funds in Connecticut and while they may not hire from UConn for the most part being in their proximity yields some networking advantages. FactSet is also based out of Connecticut and I’ve seen someone go from interning there to the buyside. Syracuse probably has slightly bigger name brand but the school is pretty ghetto with a lackluster sense of identity/alumni network. Visit both, but I think you’re leaning UConn too

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@wannabe-banker

I was thinking UConn had the geographical advantage bc of exactly what you said abt Connecticut too. I really liked Syracuse though because the program I got into was really personal and only had about 200 students in the entire school. I even got to eat dinner with the business dean lol. The only thing is that I heard Syracuse is known for being the school rich kids go to bc they didn't have the grades anywhere else, but other than that its ranked higher than UConn in almost every aspect, including the B-School. So is what you're saying that you think the Alumni network would be better at UConn? And do you think the business school/arts and sciences programs for the most part comparable academically?

 

in addition to Hillside, theres a Student managed fund reserved for seniors. Lots of people in that program did IB after graduation. Decent recruiting opportunities come with placement in that program

 
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