Target schools for IB
I’m currently on the college application process and in need of advices regarding my school choices. I’m looking into IB for future career. Sorry I know this is kinda off-topic for this forum. However, my dream and goal is to work for one of the big investment banks after graduation, specifically in the investment banking department, so I want to know of any advice and things I should be doing in order to maximum my chances of one day landing a well-paid IB job.
I’ve already got accepted into Kelley, and I don’t know if I should apply to more schools or stuck with Kelley. Since Wharton and Stern seem impossible for me to get in, as well as other top business schools like Ross, Tepper, Johnson, and Haas, etc... should I just go with Kelley because it has sent many to the Street? So I don’t need to waste my money in application fees on applying other colleges that I know I’m not even attending. But, honestly the only reason I applied to Kelley is because of its representation on the Street, and it’s actually my safety school. I will definitely have regrets if I end up going to Kelley(because it’s my safety, and it’s a public school that’s not really well-known in my region), but in terms of career, Kelley is fine.
I want to enjoy my college life(because I didnt really enjoy high school), but I also do want to go a name-school because of my pride, but I know the risk will be that I can get depressed again due to stress.
Here’s a list of other colleges besides Kelley that I’m thinking to apply:
Emory(dream school!! but not confident in getting in)
NYU(cas)
USC (econ major)
Boston University
Boston College
University Wisconsin(Madison)
Lehigh
Smith College(All girls college, ranked #2 all girls school in the nation)
Case Western
I still haven’t made my mind up yet for my early decision 2 school. Among the schools I listed, could anyone rank them in terms of how “target” they are for IB? Or which might be easier to get an investment banking job after graduation?
Another question: does geographical location really matter? I’m based in Southern California, do I really need to go to east coast to find a high-paid job? My parents want me to stay close to home, so I was wondering do companies based in Cali offer similar salaries as those of in NYC.
I heard IB is tough and in fact my parents don’t want me to be a stressful investment banker...but I wanted to make a lot of money in the future to give back to my parents, who worked so hard to support my education. I come from a first-gen immigrant family.
Any suggestions or help will be greatly appreciated! Thanks!!
Yes, college can be great years, but the reason you go to college is for the long-term career objective, not the short-term "fun". The "fun" advice is shortsighted. You can find fun at every university, so focus on the career objectives first, then the rest after.
Focus on the school that gets you to where you want to be professionally. Focus on target/semi-target schools for IB. WSO has a good database for that. "Investment Banking University Stats"
Good luck!
There's been a lot of threads about this topic posted on this website, but here's a quick summary. Kelley is great if you are able to get into the IBW (which apparently is competitive and political, there's many threads on this site regarding the club), but the consensus is split if you are unable to get into the IBW. Boston College CSOM is a school that has seen significantly improved placements and many alumni on here have commented the school enjoys very good OCR. NYU Econ has many threads on here also, you'll be competing with the students from Stern but IB is still very doable apparently. UW-Madison appears to place well in Chicago and sends some kids to NY. I'm a current student at Case Western, IB is doable from here (I did it), but it's an uphill battle and the other schools I mentioned are much better options if you can get in.
California salaries are typically very similar to New York salaries. If you want to work in NY, an east coast school is a safer bet. If you want to work in California, a west coast school is a safer bet.
IB isn't the only path to making a lot of money. Just cause you might not make over $100k straight out of undergrad, doesn't mean that you can't make a ton of money in other fields. If you are prone to being stressed out and depressed, IB might not be the best option for you.
Pay is higher. It's because CA interns get paid overtime & hourly vs prorated 85k in most other cities.
OP is a girl. Any girl that does some interview prep can get an IB job in Kelley, solid chance even her sophomore summer. However, it will be tougher to get IB in California as Kelley mostly feeds to New York and Chicago for IB.
The girls in this year's class are heading to Goldman, Evercore, Morgan Stanley, JP Morgan, BAML, Barclays, Citi, Jefferies, Rothschild, and Blair
Would you rather sit across some pimply fucking nerd from Wharton or a dime from USC or Lehigh?