Why is NYU Stern undergrad deemed relatively undesirable by WSO monks
Hello everyone, I’m applying to undergrads currently, and know quite definitively I want to work in finance (done a few finance internships and ec’s and enjoyed them). Outside of the WSO temple, NYU stern ranks top tier for undergrad target, but within the esteemed community, it’s usually in tier 3 or below. I understand that its high placement volume into BB is somewhat dampened by the amount of hardos gunning for IB, but still from what I’ve seen shouldn’t Stern be at least on the level of Dartmouth, Cornell, Ross, etc? (Based off recruitment, location, network, and even US News finance undergrad top 5 ranking) If Stern is considerably worse than tier twos like Cornell or Dartmouth, I’m not going to waste my Early Decision shot on it. By the way, the lack of traditional college experience doesn’t bother me, I enjoy the quick paced city environment. I’m analyzing this more on a job opportunity mindset really. I’d be interested in understanding more of the knowledgeable folks’ perspective on this
You've answered your own question when you say: I understand that its high placement volume into BB is somewhat dampened by the amount of hardos gunning for IB
During my MBA at CBS, I came across folks, who had gone to NYU for undergrad, and I don't remember anyone speaking highly of their undergrad experience....Said there was a lack of alumni / community feel. I went to Oberlin/F&M/Bates for my undergrad, so I wouldn't know, but I got a job in IB in London after undergrad, and my undergrad alumni were incredibly supportive. I was also an international student.
I see, so community and network is a key part of the equation here?
There is enough Northeast bias as it is with rankings etc. This is all US news driven into the heads of kids for 20+ years. Trust me when I tell you noone cares whether you went to nyu vs Cornell etc. I would literally gloss over any of that on a resume
Dont listen to the noise. Stern places lights out into eb and bb.
NYU is the king of BS masters and undergrad programs which somewhat dilutes its general brand but Stern is extremely solid. View it like LSE in the U.K.
have friends at all three schools - Stern placed better than Cornell and Dartmouth this year. Stern has better professional opportunities but the other two have more of a cohesive campus feel
Stern places very well but the internal competition is very stiff, it's hardo town there. Agree with other posters that it's not necessarily a fun environment. All of my friends who went there were extremely stressed for 4 years competing with other students, while at other top schools people recruit soph year and then move on and enjoy college
its only hardo town if you are a hardo, reality is that if u go to stern and choose to only interact with b school kids instead of the rest of nyu of course thats gonna be your experience. i think the "stress" of recruiting there is mostly just a result of everyone amplifying each other's stress since like half the entire school recruits. but in reality there are so many nyu pipelines that its really not that hard to place into a decent bank.
This question accompanied by OP’s Ryan Gosling profile pic and Patrick Bateman + Jordan Belford combo name is so fucking on the nose
It's a common trope on forums / this one especially to make a non-identified throwaway just be some Wall Street icon. However agreed because obviously OP is a fucking sophomore in high school or some shit
NYU itself isn’t that highly ranked and the school hands out masters degrees to anyone and everyone. Stern takes a reputation hit because of its parent school.
Finance placement is awesome. Anyone who has worked a single day in Wall Street can confirm that. It doesn’t place quite as well for PE for whatever reason but the IB numbers are insane.
That being said, Cornell and Dartmouth are stronger schools overall and you have way more flexibility. How do you know you want to do finance if you’ve never worked in it? At Cornell you can switch over to CS or engineering and be at a top school for it. At Dartmouth, MBB is a great safety with amazing exit ops. If you end up not liking finance and you’re at Stern, you’re kinda fucked. Most intelligent people can do that analysis and hence Stern just isn’t as desirable. Especially since Cornell and Dartmouth have really strong finance placement themselves.
nyu stern has sizable presence in every areas of finance industry. Plus the admit rate is more competitive than ever
Dartmouth and Cornell will always be more prestigious because they’re Ivy League schools. I don’t think Ross is more prestigious than Stern, but it’s known for being a better experience with similar outcomes so people are more excited about it.
had a superday at a tiny tiny lil pe firm in april for a freshman summer internship, there was 11 ppl in my round, 8/11 came from nyu/stern, violent smh right there
Above commentator nailed it with the LSE comment. On a pure volume basis the school is extremely well represented everywhere. There’s not a bank (EB or BB) or PE fund (MF or MM) on the planet that stern (undergrad) would hold you back from. But it is a tough school with a tough curve with a rough culture full of hardos. There’s no school spirit and an ivy would give you the same opportunities with half the stress. (Speaking as a stern alumn).
Makes sense. From your experience, does the rough grading curve result in students not being able to do semester part time internships? One of the big attractions of stern for me is it’s location, which potentially could allow for valuable semester internships. Do you think that stern is actually worse than peer schools like UMichigan or Georgetown (maybe even Dartmouth/Cornell?) for those opportunities?
I think when it comes to the big boys (EB/BB/MF) stern holds its own compared to Michigan and Georgetown but the location and internship opps that gives you a better chance at breaking into IB period at an MM or boutique compared to those other two. For reference I’m at a BB with friends across the street
This is something I’ve always been a bit confused about. Do firms have a hard quota/cap set for hiring for each school? I would’ve thought it would be more effective to hire on a case by case meritocratic basis. Is it for some sort of diversity/image purpose?
Most target schools have a set number each year for summer internships. Ofc number depends on school
Makes sense mate, thanks for your help
I would say as a general rule, the BBs take between 5-10 ish each a year for traditional IB with some being more represented (Barclays) and some being less (Deutsche). EBs vary a lot more but would say that Evercore and Lazard are most represented
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