Freshmen Year Transfer Advice! (Please Answer) 🙏
Hi guys, I am a high school senior and my dream has always been to work on wall street in some way because I just have a love for business, investing, and all the like.
I had high hopes for the college admissions program and have been waitlisted from Villanova, Boston College, University of Virginia, and Boston University. I’m currently deferred and waiting to hear back from Cornell (business legacy), McGill, Georgetown, and UMich. And then, I just have NYU RD. I have been accepted to Rutgers Honors College, which is apparently a pretty selective program, but i’m from New Jersey and have the state-flag ship school bias. I’ve also been accepted to Penn-State non-honors, and the University Of Wisconsin Madison non-honors, and Stevens with 100k scholarship. (still 300k though, so just no)
I would really like to consider transferring to a T20 school because I would really like to secure job placement at one of these top firms. And I know about the, “Just wait until you get there and maybe you’ll see yourself no where else, and it was just destiny!” saying, which I know may be true and could potentially even happen to me at Rutgers, Penn, or Wisconsin! But, I know how absolutely competitive Wall Street and business in general are, which is why my shortcomings are so gut-wrenching, but nevertheless, the only thing I can do is move forward and continue to work hard. But, now that i’ve spilled out the condensed, 2 paragraph long version of my entire life’s work 😂, I ask:
If I consider, transferring, what school between the 3, Rutgers Honors College, Penn State Non Honors, and Wisconsin Non Honors would provide me the best chance of transferring out to a T20?
I’ve had a friend tell me to choose Rutgers Honors because it’s acceptance rate is 7% and the average SAT is a 1530 and that looks amazing on paper so transferring out to a T20 with similar stats won’t be as difficult… but I just wanted to ask you guys to hear different opinions - or maybe to just confirm whether or not this is true.
Thank you guys for your time!
Was in your shoes exactly, and I know what you’re feeling right now. If you don’t land anything good, focus on getting a 4.0 GPA and on your applications/essays. If you are committed, and dedicated, you can get into any top school in the county. Take it from someone who did.
I'm thinking of doing the same thing as the person that created this post, except I would love to transfer to UVA after a year of Undergrad. I have been waitlisted at Northeastern and Virginia Tech and accepted to UMiami, George Washington (GWU), Rutgers, and Drexel. Which of these do you think would be the best for me to attend for my first year that would provide me the best chance to transfer to UVA (of course I have other schools in mind like UMich or Georgetown which are long shots but why not try)? I also am a Virginian resident, so would that increase my chances potentially?
from a pure academics standpoint probably 1. rutgers 2. miami/gw 3. drexel. At the end of the day the particular school wont really matter. People transfer from community colleges all the time so the name of the school doesn't matter unless they are known to be rigorous. What they'll look at is a compelling reason to transfer, very strong gpa and being an interesting person through ECs and/or work experience.
Might I ask for your story? I need some inspiration here... haha. Also I don't even know which school of the three I should even pick...
Navigating the path to Wall Street can indeed be a challenging journey, filled with strategic decisions about education and networking. When considering the best starting point for a potential transfer to a T20 school, each of the options you've mentioned—Rutgers Honors College, Penn State Non-Honors, and the University of Wisconsin Madison Non-Honors—has its unique advantages. However, based on the WSO dataset and discussions, here's a breakdown that might help you make an informed decision:
Rutgers Honors College: Being part of an honors college can significantly enhance your profile. The selective nature of Rutgers Honors College, coupled with the high average SAT scores, indeed makes it an attractive option. The rigorous academic environment and the potential for close-knit relationships with faculty could provide you with a strong foundation and notable achievements for your transfer application. Additionally, being in New Jersey, you're still relatively close to New York, offering networking opportunities in the financial sector.
Penn State Non-Honors: While not in the honors program, Penn State is a reputable institution with a strong alumni network. The university has a history of placing students into Wall Street roles, though typically, the honors college students might have a slight edge in terms of recruitment. However, your individual achievements, GPA, and extracurricular involvement can significantly impact your transfer application's strength. Penn State's larger size offers diverse opportunities for involvement and leadership, which can be advantageous.
University of Wisconsin Madison Non-Honors: Similar to Penn State, UW Madison is a well-regarded university with a strong business program. While not in the honors program, the university offers a comprehensive education with opportunities to stand out through academic achievements and extracurricular involvement. Madison's business school has connections with alumni in various industries, including finance, which could aid in networking and internships.
Considering your goal of transferring to a T20 school, Rutgers Honors College might offer the most compelling case on paper due to its selectivity and the academic rigor associated with honors programs. The perception of being in a highly selective program could indeed be beneficial when applying for a transfer. However, it's crucial to excel wherever you decide to go—maintaining a high GPA, seeking leadership roles, engaging in relevant extracurricular activities, and securing internships in the finance sector. These steps will strengthen your transfer application, regardless of the institution you choose.
Remember, while the institution's prestige is important, your personal achievements, drive, and the relationships you build along the way play a crucial role in breaking into Wall Street. Good luck with your decision, and remember, the path to success is often non-linear but filled with valuable learning experiences.
Sources: Penn State Honors vs IU Kelley vs UT Honors vs Umich Ross, Choosing Colleges-Rutgers, Penn State, UTD, UT CAP, SMU, Best Non-Wharton/Stern Schools for BB Investment Banking, Transferring into Penn, Should I transfer from my T20 semi-target to a stronger target?
All 3 options are doable if you have a stellar first year. From a rigor standpoint being in an honors program would be seen as a plus. But it's not the only thing that matters and since you have a strong enough HS background to not get rejected outright from the schools that waitlisted you, it's feasible from all 3 options. Nothings gauranteed so I wouldn't choose Rutgers solely on that fact if you'd be happier elsewhere. You might end up having to stay for 2 years (or 4).
You'll need close to a 4.0, be really involved in your classes and go to OH regularly to connect with profs, join some clubs and try to get yourself in some leaderships positions. Volunteering a little never hurt anybody also.
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