Genuine question - does college decision really matter that much?
Not a troll post so don’t MS me. I’m currently a high school student about to enter my senior year, and therefore, I’m going to start applying to colleges in the fall. I’m not an amazing student, but not the worst either (think B’s and C’s in all AP classes)… currently, going to a target besides maybe Michigan or UT Austin is definitely out of reach for me on both a financial standpoint and an educational standpoint. This begs the question, does college decision seriously hinder my chances of breaking into a good high finance job if the best I can do is a top state school like Florida or Georgia? Would love to hear from people who went to semi or non targets.
I go to a non-target state school and still managed to break in. I honestly don’t think your college has that much of an influence on your opportunities unless you’re going to a top target school with a huge pipeline. If you are determined and dedicated, network like hell, and are just a generally pleasant person to talk to, opportunities will come up. Leverage any alumni you can find, be persistent in your emailing, and ofc don’t be an idiot who can’t do any technicals. Enjoy your senior year and go to the best school you can that leaves you with the smallest amount of debt!
Thank you. This gives me a little more confidence especially because my state offers full rides to anyone with certain SAT scores + volunteer hours (I qualify so I’d be going for free)
Free college is such a blessing. If you have to go into large amounts of debt to go to a “better” school, I personally don’t think it is worth it at all.
I think it’s all luck based, and the school you goto can alter how much luck you need. But I’ll be able to speak more on it now that I’m at a target. I was at a non-target.
In my opinion, there is not a huge delta of opportunities that will be available to you by going to a semi target like Ross or McCombs vs going to a top target, unless you are gunning for absolute top opps like MF analyst programs, PJT RSSG or an SM HF that hires out of undergrad. However, I do think there is between a semi-target and a complete non target. ie There is not a huge difference between the opportunities available to a Wharton or Ross kid, but there is between a McCombs kid and someone who went to a university literally nobody's heard of.
Haven’t there been studies done that basically say, if you’re smart enough and hard working, college doesn’t have that big of an effect on lifetime earnings?
Like I think if your test scores were in line with the averages of the Ivy’s, but you went to a state school, lifetime earnings were no different. I think the only outlier was if you’re from like a third world country or a ghetto or something.
I’m a big proponent of going to a school you fit in best at since you will do better in such an environment. And even non-target schools or just not top 15 schools will have plenty of programs and stuff for top performers which should be fine.
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