Best undergrad target schools

Based on the most helpful WSO content, here's a ranking of the schools you listed in terms of their "targetness" for investment banking and finance recruitment:

1. Stanford – A top-tier target school, especially for West Coast opportunities. Its prestige and strong alumni network make it highly sought after.
2. UPenn SAS (School of Arts and Sciences) – While not Wharton, it still benefits from Penn's overall reputation and proximity to Wharton resources. A strong target.
3. Columbia CC (Columbia College) – A solid target, especially for NYC-based opportunities. Its location in NYC gives it a significant advantage.
4. Dartmouth – Known for its strong alumni network and excellent placement into private equity and megafunds. It consistently ranks high for finance opportunities.
5. UChicago – A strong target, particularly for quantitative finance and Chicago-based opportunities. Its rigorous academics are well-respected.
6. Northwestern – A target school, though slightly behind the others listed above. It places well regionally and has a strong alumni network.
7. Duke – A target school, particularly strong in the South and NYC. Its alumni network is robust, but it may require more networking compared to the top-tier targets.
8. Cornell – A target school, but its placement strength can vary depending on the specific program (e.g., Dyson or AEM are stronger for finance). It’s still a solid choice.

Additional Notes:

• Dartmouth is often highlighted for its exceptional alumni network and strong placement into private equity, ranking just behind Harvard and Wharton for megafund PE.
• Stanford and Columbia benefit from their locations (West Coast and NYC, respectively), which can provide easier access to networking opportunities.
• UPenn SAS students can leverage Wharton resources, but it may require more effort compared to Wharton students.
• Cornell is known as one of the most transfer-friendly Ivy League schools, which could be advantageous for your situation.

Given your interest in both IBD and SnT, all these schools are strong options, but the top-tier targets (Stanford, UPenn SAS, Columbia, Dartmouth) might give you a slight edge in terms of overall placement and alumni support.

Sources: The Comprehensive List of Transfer Friendly Schools For Investment Banking, The Comprehensive List of Transfer Friendly Schools For Investment Banking, Comprehensive List of Target Schools for Investment Banking, Comprehensive Undergraduate Target Schools Tier List 2020, Undergraduate Target Schools Tier List (2021 Updates)