Berkeley vs UCLA

Based on the most helpful WSO content, here’s a breakdown of finance-related clubs at both UC Berkeley and UCLA to help you decide:

UC Berkeley

1. Berkeley Investment Group (BIG)

   • Oldest investment group on campus, managing over $100k.
   • Offers a structured training program for first-semester members.
   • Strong placements in banking, private equity, and asset management, with alumni at top firms like Goldman Sachs.

2. Berkeley Finance Club (BFC)

   • Primarily a networking club with some finance training programs (e.g., equity research).
   • Overlaps with other organizations, but placements are solid.

3. Undergraduate Finance Association (UFA) / Undergraduate Management Consulting Group (UMCG)

   • A combined club for finance and consulting enthusiasts.
   • Extremely exclusive and hard to get into, but offers excellent placements and strong alumni support.

4. Capital Investments at Berkeley

   • Manages $20,000 and is less prestigious compared to other clubs.
   • Still provides a good starting point for finance exposure.

5. Consulting Clubs

   • Berkeley Consulting, The Berkeley Group, and Voyager Consulting are top consulting clubs with strong placement records.

6. Business Fraternities

   • AKPsi is considered top-tier, especially after DSP went underground. These frats can provide strong networking opportunities.

UCLA

1. Bruin Asset Management (BAM)

   • The most prestigious finance club at UCLA, often compared to getting into Harvard.
   • Almost guarantees investment banking job placement.

2. Bruin Value Investing (BVI)

   • A solid club with strong IB placement, though slightly less elite than BAM.
   • Has faced some reputational issues recently but remains a good option.

3. Bruin Investment and Trading Group (BITG)

   • A newer club with rising prominence.
   • Offers resources for hard-working members to secure banking jobs.

4. Bruin Hedge Fund (BHF)

   • Strong focus on finance with a high concentration of Asian international students.
   • Great for those targeting recruiting in Asia or the U.S.

5. Consulting Clubs

   • Bruin Consulting (BC): Top consulting club with strong MBB and Tier 2 placements.
   • UConsulting: Known for its accelerator program and strong placements in consulting and tech.
   • The Bruin Group (TBG): A newer club with decent placement records.
   • 180 Degrees Consulting: Focuses on social impact and non-profits, with members often landing at Deloitte Tech Consulting.

Key Considerations

• UC Berkeley: Offers a more established finance ecosystem with clubs like BIG and UFA, which have strong alumni networks and structured programs.
• UCLA: Clubs like BAM and BVI are highly regarded for IB placement, but the finance scene is slightly less developed compared to Berkeley.

If you’re leaning towards technical majors like math or CS, both schools provide excellent opportunities. However, Berkeley’s Haas program and its finance clubs might give you a slight edge in terms of structured finance exposure and placement into top firms.

Sources: UCLA Clubs to showcase their elitism, UC Berkeley Undergrad for IB Recruiting, Best Finance/Business Clubs at U.C. Berkeley??, UC Berkeley Undergrad for IB Recruiting, Berkeley vs UW Seattle