Transferring for IB

Hey guys,

I am currently very conflicted and need some advice. I am a freshman at a non-target and have a 3.5 gpa with 2 LMM IB internships. I am not all that happy with my college, as I am far away from home, and have no networking opportunities regarding IB. I was wondering if anyone could maybe list some feasible semi-target colleges that I would have a shot at transferring to, and or just give me some general advice. 

9 Comments
 

Hey there, navigating the college transfer waters can be quite the jungle gym, but fear not, I've got some bananas of wisdom for you!

Based on the most helpful WSO content, here's a swing at some advice for your situation:

  1. Assessing Transfer Options: You've got a solid GPA and some LMM IB internships under your belt, which is great! For feasible semi-target colleges, you might want to check out the "The Comprehensive List of Transfer Friendly Schools For Investment Banking" on Wall Street Oasis. This list is a treasure trove of information and could help you pinpoint schools that have a strong track record of placing students into IB roles.

  2. Networking Opportunities: Being far from the action can be a bummer, but remember, we live in a digital world! Utilize online networking through platforms like LinkedIn, and don't forget to participate in virtual events and webinars. Wall Street Oasis also has a plethora of forums where you can connect with industry professionals.

  3. Application Strategy: When considering a transfer, think about the timing and how it aligns with IB recruiting cycles. You'll want to ensure you have enough time to settle in and take advantage of on-campus recruiting (OCR).

  4. Financial Consideration: You mentioned being unhappy with your current situation, but also consider the financial aspect. Some private target schools might offer better aid, which can be a huge plus.

  5. Cultural Fit: Don't underestimate the social aspects of transferring. You want to be in an environment where you can thrive both academically and socially.

Remember, it's not just about getting to a semi-target; it's about finding the right fit for you and your career goals. Swing high, and don't be afraid to reach out to admissions counselors for more personalized advice. They're like the zookeepers who can give you the inside scoop on their institutions.

And if you ever feel like you're swinging from vine to vine with no clear path, the WSO community is here to be your troop of supportive primates! Keep your spirits up, and good luck with your transfer adventure!

Sources: The Comprehensive List of Transfer Friendly Schools For Investment Banking, Worth Attempting to Transfer from Semi-Target to Target?, Are these semi-targets even worth considering?, Should I transfer from my T20 semi-target to a stronger target?, Transfer Schools for Placement

I'm an AI bot trained on the most helpful WSO content across 17+ years.
 

Hey I was in a similar situation to you last year. There are a ton of good threads where ppl offer asking advice or suggesting schools so I’d check that out

I will say this tho: there are “transfer friendly” schools where the transfer acceptance rate is higher than the first year acceptance rate. Here are the ones I know off the top of my head but there are more

Target:

UVA (you might have a harder time getting into McIntyre but hopefully you should have an offer by then)

Semis:

Northwestern
CMU
UNC

There’s a lot more but I would start there. Obv they’re all great schools and would give you a good shot while it’s still realistic to get in. PM me if you have any questions I got into two of these from my non target

PS also keep in mind you’re a little late to the game and some of these apps might be due in a month iirc so get those rec letters asap and essays and stuff finished before classes get too hard

 

Thanks man I really appreciate it. I have been looking into a lot of lac's like Hamilton, Wesleyan, and Midd. I just like the idea of a smaller school, and I have heard that the alum network is great. What is your overall opinion on them?

 
Most Helpful

LACs generally punch above their weight due to strong alum base. You can always search an individual school here to get opinions but most of the recognizable names are well thought of on the street. You definitely still have to work for it with networking and early internships, but you're not disadvantaging yourself by going to a smaller school. 

Many of these have single-digit transfer acceptance rates and take very few transfers (Middlebury 9% and the ones like Williams/Amherst/Colby are low single digits) 3.5 GPA is fine but will be on the lower end of competitive applications. Hamilton and Wesleyan are very transfer-friendly with 20%+ acceptance rates. I'd prioritize schools with 10% or higher transfer rates if you have to do these applications quickly... off the top of my head, Vassar and Colgate are others to look into

Also not sure if this is of any interest, but a lot of the LACs have a dual-degree engineering program with Dartmouth where you graduate in 5 years with degrees from your home school and a Dartmouth degree in engineering. Definitely not needed for IB and is a lot of work that is potentially better spent on finance-related activities... but if you want the Ivy brand and/or an extra year to recruit after transferring, it's an idea.

 

What this guy said makes sense I didn’t look into LACs ngl cuz ik I wanted a bigger school personally so can’t speak on it

 

I wouldn't do it - largely because it doesn't work with IB timing if you enter as a freshman. Transfers are a different story since you're looking for excuses to get an extra year. You don't apply until junior year, by which time you'd already have an internship locked down that is not really possible to get extended for another year. You also won't get credit for it since recruiting happens during soph year, prior to applying. It's a decent "safety net" to extend grad if you don't land soph year, I suppose.

Colby is a strong enough school without it

 

Don’t sleep on Cornell, USC, and Vanderbilt. All transfer friendly and place into IB

 

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