Cornell (Econ) Vs Western Ivey
I'm a prospective undergraduate student deciding between Cornell Econ and Western Ivey AEO, with the goal of breaking into investment banking or management consulting, ideally in the US.
For context, I'm currently a Canadian permanent resident and expect to obtain Canadian citizenship before or during college. I'm particularly interested in U.S IB/MBB, although I'd also be happy starting my career in Toronto.
Cornell obviously has stronger US recruiting opportunities, but I'm increasingly concerned about the recent CPT restrictions, ongoing litigation, and proposed OPT changes. Given how important junior-year internships are for IB recruiting, I'm worried about potentially facing work authorization issues even if I manage to secure an offer.
Western Ivey, on the other hand, offers a strong recruiting pipeline into Canadian IB and consulting, potentially with the option of moving to the US later. As a Canadian citizen, I would also potentially have access to TN status for qualifying occupations, although I'm aware that traditional IB roles don't necessarily qualify.
Cost isn't a major deciding factor but the money is still quite some investment. But I'm primarily evaluating career outcomes and immigration risk.
A few questions:
- How significant is Cornell's recruiting advantage over Ivey for U.S IB/MBB, particularly for international students?
- How concerned should incoming international students be about the recent CPT/OPT developments, especially regarding summer internships?
- Would Canadian citizenship meaningfully improve US recruiting prospects from Cornell, or would I still face essentially the same obstacles as other F-1 students?
- Is the Ivey → Toronto IB/MBB → US route realistic, particularly through internal transfers or TN-eligible roles?
- If you were in my position, would you take Cornell's stronger US recruiting opportunities despite the immigration uncertainty, or choose Ivey for a more predictable Canadian recruiting path?
Would especially appreciate perspectives from current bankers, consultants, or Cornell/Ivey alumni familiar with cross-border recruiting. Thank you! :)
Based on the most helpful WSO content, here's a breakdown of your situation:
Cornell's Recruiting Advantage for U.S. IB/MBB:
Cornell has a clear edge in U.S. recruiting for both IB and MBB. Its Ivy League status, extensive alumni network, and strong placement into BBs, EBs, and top consulting firms make it a target school for U.S. opportunities. However, as an international student, you may face challenges due to work authorization requirements (CPT/OPT). Recent threads highlight that Cornell alumni are well-represented in NYC IB and PE, which could be a significant advantage if you can navigate the visa landscape.
CPT/OPT Concerns for International Students:
The concerns about CPT/OPT restrictions are valid, especially for summer internships, which are critical for IB recruiting. While Cornell provides strong support for international students, the uncertainty around U.S. immigration policies could pose risks. This is a key factor to weigh if your primary goal is U.S. placement.
Impact of Canadian Citizenship:
Canadian citizenship could slightly improve your prospects in the U.S. due to TN visa eligibility. However, as you noted, traditional IB roles don't typically qualify for TN status. For consulting, certain roles may be TN-eligible, but this varies by firm and position. Ultimately, you would still face many of the same challenges as other F-1 students when it comes to U.S. recruiting.
Ivey → Toronto IB/MBB → U.S. Route:
Western Ivey has a strong pipeline into Canadian IB and consulting, particularly in Toronto. Many professionals have successfully transitioned from Toronto to U.S. roles, either through internal transfers or by leveraging TN-eligible positions. While this route is realistic, it may take longer to break into the U.S. market compared to starting directly from a U.S. target school like Cornell.
Decision Factors:
Recommendation:
Given your concerns about immigration uncertainty, Western Ivey might be the safer choice for a stable career start in Canada, especially since you already have Canadian residency and citizenship prospects. However, if you're highly committed to breaking into U.S. IB/MBB and are prepared to tackle the visa hurdles, Cornell's stronger U.S. recruiting opportunities could be worth the risk.
Ultimately, the decision depends on your risk tolerance and long-term career goals. Both options are strong, but the trade-offs between immediate U.S. access and a stable Canadian path are key.
Sources: IBD Barriers to Entry For Canadians and How to Overcome Them, My Advice for International Students in the US (F-1 Visa, OPT, CPT, H-1B), Undergrad: NYU Stern vs. Cornell A&S Econ, Just how good is Dartmouth?, My Experience Recruiting as an Undergrad for Everything vs WSO Wisdom
Vero sit labore deleniti voluptas. Deleniti et ut in consectetur non omnis. Id nam rerum et illum ut ullam.
Consequuntur rerum assumenda occaecati tenetur mollitia assumenda dolorum quia. Quidem velit et inventore provident. Voluptas aut occaecati quo veniam nulla repellat.
Veniam error incidunt et nisi sit. Et libero accusantium et possimus beatae. Ad accusantium minima placeat sunt. Pariatur qui quos animi amet tempore optio. Consequuntur laborum voluptatum consequuntur totam qui architecto quia. Quod porro hic modi aut.
Quis et consequatur unde. Corporis quas culpa est enim est ea. Sequi esse vel dolorem nostrum reprehenderit. Quae aperiam sunt laboriosam qui. Et eaque aut eligendi dicta hic aut.
See All Comments - 100% Free
WSO depends on everyone being able to pitch in when they know something. Unlock with your email and get bonus: 6 financial modeling lessons free ($199 value)
or Unlock with your social account...