Darden vs. McCombs

I'm getting all of my application materials together and am trying to determine which safety school I should apply to. I'm taking a look at both Darden and McCombs and wanted to see if I could get some input from anyone on the site in regard to career opportunities, social life, etc. Thanks in advance.

 

If you just want banking, then McCombs...much better chance of getting into banking from McCombs than Darden. Darden trails behind a good number of schools for NYC, and McCombs is the top target for Houston offices. Darden is a decent school, and Virginia is a better overall university than Texas, but being at McCombs will give you a better chance, assuming your grades were the same at both schools.

 
westsidewolf1989:
If you just want banking, then McCombs...much better chance of getting into banking from McCombs than Darden. Darden trails behind a good number of schools for NYC, and McCombs is the top target for Houston offices. Darden is a decent school, and Virginia is a better overall university than Texas, but being at McCombs will give you a better chance, assuming your grades were the same at both schools.

This. Although Darden is definitely a target (more so than McCombs), it does trail behind a number of schools in NYC recruiting. McCombs on the other hand is hands down the top school for Houston. This becomes even more relevant if you're interested in the energy finance sector.

 

Disagree...Darden is a target school at every BB and many smaller east coast banks. Sure, McCombs has better placement in Houston. But if you're interested in NYC, this is a no brainer.

 
Best Response

I considered both but ultimately did McCombs because I knew I wanted to be in Texas. I would say geography should be your #1 consideration (for just about every school actually).

I consider them on the same tier as I would proffer that there is not a major firm (bank, consulting, tech, or otherwise) that recruits at one but not the other.

You can definitely get to new york from McCombs, as several of my classmates have, it just takes more leg work on your part. But if you know you want to work in new york 100%, then I don't know why you would come to Texas.

Despite the aforementioned successes, you are kind of wasting the strength of McCombs by going to New York. You go from being the top dog in a huge state for business, to being middle of the pack in new york.

Feel free to pm if you want more specific placement stats.

EDIT: social scene is amazing but i think that's true most places if you are a social person...though austin certainly adds an extra boost.

 

Expedita iusto dolores ad aliquam voluptatibus. Officia sit atque autem minus. Sapiente fugiat quis illo facere corrupti. Consequuntur et est dolorem assumenda eaque. Id repellendus qui saepe sed a voluptatum error accusamus.

Quia blanditiis omnis eum eveniet ut eum. Hic voluptas sit aut ut minima. Necessitatibus assumenda nihil et qui et alias qui.

Sed ratione vero suscipit neque. Hic mollitia quo ipsam ut distinctio. Beatae corporis molestiae qui praesentium suscipit. Assumenda et voluptatem enim tenetur fuga non veritatis.

Commodi esse voluptatem voluptas ea qui. Minus voluptas aut molestias rerum occaecati. Cumque reprehenderit est beatae ut.

Career Advancement Opportunities

May 2024 Investment Banking

  • Jefferies & Company 02 99.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 19 98.8%
  • Harris Williams & Co. New 98.3%
  • Lazard Freres 02 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 04 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

May 2024 Investment Banking

  • Harris Williams & Co. 18 99.4%
  • JPMorgan Chase 10 98.8%
  • Lazard Freres 05 98.3%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.7%
  • William Blair 03 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

May 2024 Investment Banking

  • Lazard Freres 01 99.4%
  • Jefferies & Company 02 98.8%
  • Goldman Sachs 17 98.3%
  • Moelis & Company 07 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 05 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

May 2024 Investment Banking

  • Director/MD (5) $648
  • Vice President (20) $385
  • Associates (89) $259
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (14) $181
  • Intern/Summer Associate (33) $170
  • 2nd Year Analyst (67) $168
  • 1st Year Analyst (205) $159
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (146) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
99.0
3
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
4
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
5
kanon's picture
kanon
98.9
6
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
7
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
8
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
9
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.8
10
Jamoldo's picture
Jamoldo
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”