[UNDERGRAD] What should I do?
I've come far since high school. To be anecdotal, I really wasn't the best student and only took 6 APs and got Bs in them and got a 1200/1600 on my SAT. I wasn't able to get into any targets so I decided to take my state scholarship ($20K) and go to my state flagship (USC-Columbia). Sophomore year is officially over and I have a 3.9 GPA (gen-eds) and I think I have some options. I was going to do CS, I tried learning the syntax and it's just too creative for me, lol.
Should I just stay at USC? I'm in the finance clubs and I'm fairly respected and think I will go far in them. I've been told I should transfer out-of-state. I've thought about the list of "top prestigious schools that accept the most transfers" but the odds aren't in my favor because I'm not in their CC system.
I know how competitive IB will be to get into and if it doesn't work out, what are my options?
I can't remember who it was but there was a guy on here the other day who's in IB and he was saying how it bugs the hell out of him that kids decide they have to move school to a "better one" because it's the only way to IB.
Last year I went to a university that I thought was required to get me to where I want to be. I wasn't happy in the end and my course sucked. I moved back home and went to a uni I knew, and actually felt comfortable in, and now I'm doing really well and I'm happy. Do what you know will make you happy, not what you think will make you happy. At the end of the day, you drive your own success, itd suck for you to move, get there and realise you made a mistake.
Take from that what you will.
I see where you are coming from. I'm already kicking ass here and I'm doing well in the finance clubs. I'm only 2 hours away from my family so that's a bonus.
What bugs me is that Ivy kids are going to get in easy. I'm already watching Finance lectures just for the hell of it to see what kind of classes I'll have next year. I'm dedicated to do whatever it takes. I know it's all about happiness in the end, I get it, but this is what makes me happy...$$$.
I know exactly how you feel, I'm from a non target university and all I see is kids from target schools getting all the internships. The struggle is real lol.
Honestly though, if you're kicking ass and happy where you are then stay. Work your way up the finance clubs to senior positions. I don't know how it works in America but here in the U.K. The university student union make the societies hold votes each year to elect cabinet members. you clearly have the drive. Just have fun this summer and maybe teach yourself some new financial stuff, maybe do some networking etc.
Yeah man. Usually those Senior positions in those clubs land BB gigs so it'd be awesome to get up there.
Good luck!
Good for you for focusing more in college and getting a great GPA. Since you've already finished sophomore year and presumably haven't applied to transfer yet, it looks like that ship has sailed for you.
My advice to you is to continue what you're doing at school, keep your GPA up, gain leadership roles within your finance clubs, and try your best to get some internship experience this summer. Use linkedin and your career services office to try and connect with any alumni in IB you can find over this summer to get your name in their head before the fall recruiting season begins for junior summer. I would also recommend going over the interview guides (WSO, Mergers & Inquisitions) during the summer to prepare yourself for the fall. While it is definitely an uphill battle, you still could have a shot at getting an IB position at a good firm if you commit yourself, network aggressively, and have a bit of luck on your side.
If things don't work out but you still want to break into IB, you'll still be in a good position to 1) get another type of role at a well-known firm and work for a few years, study for the GMAT, and then re-brand yourself through going to a top MBA program or 2) try and apply for an MFin from a top school following graduation to have another shot at IB recruiting. Good luck!
Yeah I'm doing real well now so I didn't want to transfer and start over you know?
What are some different roles I could break into?
That's really up to you at this point. Think about what kinds of things you enjoy and search around the site to research different roles than might be a good match. Possibly look into doing something like the FMP program at GE - it's a great program for finance students and isn't as difficult to break into if you're not at a top school.
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