CMC VS USC
Hi all,
I am an international high school senior wanting to persue the big names in the finance sector after my undergrad. I applied for economics and I might also do a minor in CS. Among the ones, I have been accepted in my top 2 choices are University of Southern California and Claremont McKenna College but I am stuck between the two.
I feel that a major downside to CMC is that even though it's a great school, it's brand is not that established which might be a problem, especially considering that I'm not a U.S citizen butbon the other hand I feel that it'll be a better environment to strengthen my academic foundations.
I would love to hear from alumni ofnthe schools and recruiters in IB and PEs if you have any advice or any suggestion.
Both schools are great and will place well on the west coast and somewhat on the east coast. To answer your concerns about CMC look at KKR (as everyone on here always says). More realistically though, CMC is very finance focused and a ton of students place well there. Also, you have the benefit of HMC to take CS courses if you decide to do that.
One thing I’d definitely take in to consideration, aside from big school (Greek life) vs. small school, is the locations. Not sure if you’ve visited either school because you are international, but CMC is NOT in LA the city. it’s actually about a 45 minute drive outside of the city. So if you are looking for that city environment, USC may be a better choice as you are just south of downtown.
Just my opinion, but CMC is very finance focused and has alums who kill it at every BB and EB. Throw in Pomona alums and you can make it anywhere so long as you're willing to put in the work. Breaking in will not be an issue if you do well in class and network.USC may have better OCR, but if you end up at the same place professionally, go with the school you'd have the best college experience at. For me, undoubtedly CMC.
Go to another west coast target. USC has more/better alumni, and a more structured pipeline into finance hands down. ( A simple linkedin search will show you) Not sure where you are coming from but there is a community of international students recuriting ibd at larger schools like usc as well.
Do you mean a target other than these two?
yup
CMC
Could you maybe tell why you think that?
CMC has the better college experience? Complete horseshit if you ask me. OP if you're somewhat social you'll have a blast at USC - great girls, sports and LA right by your doorstep.
Anecdotally I know a few USC internationals who have secured top EB/BB roles; I would take USC and not look back.
My guy, not everyone likes what you like. USC’s a massive school, lectures with hundreds of people, professors who don’t know your names, can be ultra-competitive, hard to stick out, etc. and overall just not a great fit for some.
I’d bet there are a lot of people choosing CMC every year over USC (maybe some vise-versa but I’d argue far less) because they want a high quality, smaller school that’s undergraduate focused. No problem with you liking USC more, but it’s not horseshit to think CMC might offer a better experience.
And also, CMS girls are great, but yes they are not like USC :)
Fair enough - he is international though, which is why I feel like USC will be a better experience overall.
Outcome will be the same - I doubt going to CMC vs USC will move the needle as to whether you get the job/internship or not.
I'd pick which school is a better fit for you. USC for the big university/sports/parties/etc. and CMC if you're more academic/less social. USC also has a huge international presence.
Also, make no mistake, CMC is not in LA. If you have a car you're easily 1.5-2 hours from the beach and any other cool things LA has to offer, and, if you don't have a car, you can't go anywhere. The broader area in which CMC is located is VERY meh and there is not much to do. The area surrounding USC is by no means "nice" but is close to pretty much every big and exciting thing LA has to offer.
Think about what you really want out of your undergrad experience. I promise you there's much more to it than academics.
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