Exchange semester: Going for the names?
Hi guys,
I'm having to decide on my university for the semester abroad. I'm currently studying at a semi-target European University (Economics) and had some experience (AM BB, Big 4 Transactions). The choice is between Singapore (Nanyang/SMU) and Bocconi. Singapore would probably be the more exciting place, however Bocconi the better brand on your CV.
How much does the choice of the exchange university actually matter when applying for masters or entry level positions? Is the Bocconi name or the international experience from studying in Singapore more valued (already spent half a year in Australia)? How much do the likes of LSE or UCL care about e.g. seeing Bocconi in your CV from an exchange, if you apply for Masters?
I'd really appreciate your help.
Bocconi. Not sure how much it will help when you are applying for Master's degrees but having the name of a target on your CV will help you get through a lot of the automated resume screening programs that large companies use (screen scrape/look for keywords). Doubtful that any European firms will have anything in Singapore on their lists but all will have Bocconi
Thanks for your interesting input! However, I also read a lot about people being criticized for choosing names over having a fun time abroad. Also often mentioned is that it can be a value-adder to talk about your time at 'far away places' in interviews. Might some recruiters think of you as short-sighted for just choosing a place nearby to get another brand on your CV?
I did my exchange at NUS in Singapore last year (obviously it has a better brand than SMU and NTU so keep that in mind) and it was the best year of my life. I have the chance to talk about it in interviews and socially, both the academic aspect and whole experience.
I could have gone to many good European universities (Bocconi, ESADE, RSM...) but I wanted the experience of living in S-E Asia and I wouldn't change it for anything.
But as I said, NUS is more prestigious than SMU/NTU. That being said when I applied I had SMU above Bocconi in my preferences.
I'm from a semi-target British university, not doing a masters though. I have friends who are going into LSE, Imperial and Oxford.
So what I would say is that as long as your grades are good and you have decent work experiences don't worry too much about the university you go on exchange to. Enjoy it, it should be the best year of your life, so far.
Thats also an interesting perspective and I'm kind of torn apart between the two positions you guys presented. However, if I'd go for Singapore is SMU or NTU the better choice?
If you are choosing based on rankings (e.g. the Times Higher Education rankings), NTU is the one you will be looking at since SMU is not in the rankings.
In terms of employer perception in Singapore, I would say that Nanyang Business School and SMU are on equal ground.
Ultimately, I feel that the decision on whether you are coming to NTU or SMU for an exchange program will depend on whether you thrive in a seminar style setting at SMU (http://www.smu.edu.sg/campus-information/campus-seminar-rooms), or in a lecture and tutorial setting (including some project work and presentations) at Nanyang Business School.
If you need more information on SMU or NBS, feel free to ask more questions or PM me.
If you are at a target European school you might have access to recruiting events which will considerably help in your summer analyst / ft search. So I would vote for Bocconi.
If you want to enjoy South East Asia, save a bit of money and go there on your own.. No need for an exchange to go there.
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