Advice Needed- Transfer from McCombs: to NYU Stern or Cornell
I just finished my first year at UT McCombs and I now have the option to transfer to either NYU Stern or Cornell but non-Dyson (CHE).
I would still like to try IB recruiting, but I’m more focused on recruiting for consulting, as well as exploring product management and other strategy roles.
My main goal with Cornell is translational entrepreneurship, where I hope to explore the entrepreneurship scope through research, outside of traditional finance jobs. I can also come back to McCombs after a semester at Cornell.
However, I feel that now is not the time to explore, as I will be missing out on recruiting for IB and MBB consulting. But also I am not prepared for IB technicals anyway and I still have time for consulting recruiting.
Additionally, even for consulting, even if I come back to McCombs before junior year or stay at Cornell, being at NYU Stern would probably put me in a better position right?
My main thing is exploring healthcare/translational entrepreneurship in an Ivy environment for a semester, compared to limiting myself to finance at Stern or McCombs. However, Cornell
At Stern I would be there for 3 years, but at Cornell I can try it out for a semester and then come back to McCombs.
I know for IB if I’m not well-prepared, I can’t make it anyway, and I've heard from students that Stern is actually not good for MBB consulting compared to Cornell (and Dyson is not required for consulting) as far as I've heard.
Cornell → UT McCombs
Pros:
- Can try out Ivy
- Branding of Ivy even from a semester, though not Ivy degree
- Close to home for support
- Can pursue inter-departmental work with healthcare
- Entrepreneurship scope at Cornell
- Translational research
- Healthcare peers for a semester
- Can steer away from finance mindset
- Healthcare peers for a semester
- EHub resources for entrepreneurship to work with research co-founders
- Y Combinator pipelines
Cons:
- Less robust coursework in business
- Already tried McCombs for a year & slow–pace didn’t suit
- Change of environment
- Not in finance clubs
- Miss IB cycle and may be behind on consulting cycle for sophomore internship
- For 1 semester:
- Isolation
- Weather
- Not business major
Stern
Pros:
- Highly interdisciplinary business curriculum
- Flight connectivity w/ hometown, yet independence
- Stern unique courses in AI with Business, PM, Consulting, Finance
- World-Class professors at Stern (like ex founder, VC, investment bankers, even NBC journalist & Pfizer Exec for Professional Communication course for example)
- One of the most prestigious undergrad business programs behind Wharton
- NYC networking opportunities @ Manhattan events & coffee chats
- Direct entry to Wall Street offers including quant
- Global brand, of Stern (where I get my degree vs McCombs)
- Recognition
- Alumni network
- Study with the world’s most influential families
- Finance concentration w/ entrepreneurship co-concentration, on management consulting track
- But not sure if majoring in entrepreneurship will help in becoming one at all
Cons:
- NYC traffic
- Lack of campus
- Adds to unsafety of traffic
- No sense of student community
- Hard to collaborate with students
- Rigorous courses due to Stern curve
- NYC distractions: triggers impulse and hard to control going out
- NYC is the hub of entertainment
- Missing the opportunity to go to an Ivy
Please give your honest opinion about Stern vs Cornell non-Dyson for a semester then McCombs, for someone who wants to get into business roles (PM, consulting, maybe IB or quant) but also not completely sure/exposed so wants to try alternative routes like entrepreneurship.
And is it true that Stern is worse for consulting recruiting than McCombs and Cornell non-Dyson?
It really doesn't matter which undergrad college you are in at Cornell, much less competition at Cornell vs Stern.
Based on the most helpful WSO content, here's a breakdown of your options and considerations:
Cornell (non-Dyson) for a Semester, Then Back to McCombs
Pros:
Cons:
NYU Stern
Pros:
Cons:
Key Considerations:
Consulting Recruiting: While Stern is highly regarded for finance, it’s true that Cornell (even non-Dyson) and McCombs might have a slight edge for MBB consulting recruiting. However, Stern’s NYC location and alumni network still provide strong consulting opportunities if you’re proactive.
Entrepreneurship Goals: If healthcare-focused entrepreneurship is a priority, Cornell’s resources and interdisciplinary opportunities might be more aligned with your interests. However, Stern also offers entrepreneurship-focused courses and networking opportunities in NYC.
Long-Term Goals: If you’re leaning toward finance or business roles like PM or quant, Stern’s curriculum and location provide a direct path to Wall Street and top firms. For a broader exploration of entrepreneurship and healthcare, Cornell offers a unique environment.
Recommendation:
Ultimately, your decision should align with your career priorities and personal preferences. If you’re still exploring your interests, Cornell’s flexibility and interdisciplinary opportunities might be worth considering. However, if you’re ready to commit to a business-focused path, Stern offers unmatched resources and networking opportunities.
Sources: Cornell Dyson vs Berkeley vs Claremont Mckenna vs ND Mendoza vs USC Marshall vs Stern, Dartmouth vs Stern, Consulting Exit Opps for Introverts
Would say go to Cornell. NYU Consulting placements are just okay, there is a solid pipeline to the better brands within Big 4 but your MBB chances are just way higher at an Ivy.
The best IB outcomes from Stern are probably better than Cornell, but those are pretty dependent on club placement which you've missed the largest window for if you're coming in as a sophomore. Everything else being constant, Cornell might be better for IB recruiting as competition is a little less sweaty and the overall brand is still stronger.
Your point on quant is silly. It's merit based and requires CS/Math (they do not care if you are in the b-school). If you haven't already been doing that you're not going to be remotely competitive.
What if I'm not in Cornell's Dyson? I believe not being in the b-school hurts IB but not MBB consulting right. Also, apart from recruiting, I would still like to build a base in business as I'm exploring different roles like PM, consulting, and entrepreneurship.
With Cornell if I end up coming back to McCombs (not business major + weather + isolation) after a sem, will I still be in a strong position with McCombs vs Stern?
I don't really have any special intel into Cornell, but I have seen plenty of non-Dyson Cornell kids with great offers. The delta between Cornell/McCombs/Stern is not really large to begin with for IB, so if you don't want to leave home my advice would be figure out if you really want consulting or not and based on that decision either go to Cornell or stay put.
This whole idea of transferring for one semester and then going back is bizarre, and would look weird on a resume. Would not recommend that as a Plan A.
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