Williams vs. Emory vs. one of T15 LACs

Based on the most helpful WSO content, here's how these schools stack up for your goals in investment banking:

1. Williams College:

   • Williams is considered an elite liberal arts college, often compared to Ivy League schools in terms of academic prestige and alumni network strength.
   • While it is a target school for finance, it may require more hustle due to its smaller size and less on-campus recruiting compared to larger universities. However, its alumni network is strong, and with proactive networking, you can secure top finance roles, including investment banking.
   • If you're not being recruited for baseball here, it might be harder to justify applying ED1 unless you're confident in your ability to stand out academically and through extracurriculars.

2. Emory University:

   • Emory is a semi-target for investment banking, with strong placement in Atlanta and decent opportunities in NYC.
   • It has a larger student body and more structured on-campus recruiting compared to Williams, which could make the path to IB slightly more straightforward.
   • If you have experience living in Atlanta and are open to working there, Emory could be a great fit for both lifestyle and career goals.

3. Top Non-Ivy LACs (Tufts/Colgate/Bowdoin/Hamilton):

   • These schools are generally considered semi-targets for finance. While they may not have the same prestige as Williams, being a recruited athlete could give you a unique edge in networking and standing out to alumni.
   • If you're passionate about playing D3 baseball and the school aligns with your academic and career goals, applying ED1 to one of these schools could be a smart move.

Key Considerations:

• Williams vs. Emory: Williams has a stronger brand and prestige, but Emory offers more structured recruiting and a larger alumni base in Atlanta. If NYC is your primary goal, Williams might have a slight edge, but Emory is still a solid choice.
• Recruited Athlete Advantage: Being a recruited athlete at a top non-Ivy LAC could open doors through alumni connections and give you a standout factor in networking.
• ED Strategy: If Williams is your dream school but you're not being recruited, applying ED1 there could be risky. Applying ED1 to the school where you're being recruited for baseball might be the safer bet, especially if it aligns with your career goals.

Ultimately, weigh the importance of playing baseball, the strength of alumni networks, and your career aspirations. If you're confident in your ability to network and hustle, Williams or Emory could be worth prioritizing. If baseball is a significant factor, the recruited LAC might be the better choice.

Sources: Undergrad School OPTIONS (please help), UNC or Williams College, High School....now what? AM career??, Ask Natalie from Accepted about Business School Admissions, The Comprehensive List of Transfer Friendly Schools For Investment Banking