Could use some quick help (college related)

I know I'm young to be posting on this website but I'm in need of some valid opinions. I'm deciding between University of Chicago (Economics) and WashU St.Louis (Olin) for an undergraduate degree. I know that both schools are great but which one would give me an easier time in breaking into the financial sector after graduation?

Thanks in advance for the help!

12 Comments
 

Actually, I don't know if you've heard, but both schools are NOT great. Only the University of Chicago is great. Do not be fooled by USNews - nobody ever picks WUSTL over Cornell or Brown or Northwestern. Of course, I'm referring to their academic reputation, but aside from that UChicago will still blow WUSTL out of the water when it comes to on-campus recruiting.

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Wash U is a good school, academically it's on par with anything in 10-20 ranked range (a few good friends/relatives have gone there, that's what I base this in). There are a ton of smart kids there, without a doubt.

That having been said, it does NOT place well in IB at all. Its location and lack of name recognition mean that NY firms don't go to campus and don't really care about it. The only person I know who got into a BB on Wall Street had major connections; he's smart and certainly capable but definitely wouldn't have gotten an interview without the contacts.

 

For NYC or Chicago/regional? They have a trip for the senior class in NYC so that they can actually meet banks face to face because so few of them recruit on campus (by on campus I mean interviews, not just resume drops). Trust me, I know a lot of people who went to/go to that school, it's not good for Wall Street placement.

Just look at one example: http://www.morganstanley.com/about/careers/recruiting/events.html They don't seem to recruit there at all, look at the pull-down menu. They are at G-town and UVA though.

 
Best Response

fp - I'm not saying that every BB recruits there, nor am I saying that WashU's recruiting to Wall Street is as solid as UChicago's. However, you're wrong in saying that NY firms don't care about WashU. You could consider it a semi-target if you'd like, but bottom line is that there are plenty of Wall Street opportunities for WashU kids. I know for a fact ML also recruits there for NY IBK, but am unable to find their recruiting timeline.

http://usibcareers.jpmorgan.com/content/content_292.aspx#events

Chicago's got a better recruiting presence to Wall Street, but you'll have plenty of options if you decide WashU suits you better.

 

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