GT vs. UT vs. UCB vs. Cornell
Hey everyone, I am really having difficulty choosing an undergraduate business/finance program and would truly appreciate any input/advice.
For context, I am an incoming freshman interested in IB/consulting, but I would definitely like to explore my options in finance throughout my undergraduate career. I was accepted into the following programs:
Georgia Tech Scheller: The main factor that is drawing me to Scheller is the cost. I would be in-state and would have to pay nothing for tuition and so would only have to worry about room/board. I am aware that it is not as strong a business/finance program as my other options, but I feel that GT is a great school nevertheless and I have heard that Scheller is quickly expanding and working its way up as one of the top undergraduate business programs.
UT Austin McCombs BHP: Great culture at the school, and value wise I feel is better than UCB and Cornell. I've also heard great things about BHP and feel it would be really helpful in networking and acquiring exclusive opportunities. Job placement seems to be strong amongst MBB and Wall Street. Little hesitant about the location (I like Austin, but would prefer to work in NYC/Chicago/West Coast rather than Texas). However, all things considered, I feel this would be the most "fun" option of the four.
UC Berkeley Haas GMP: Extremely unique program. I am very excited about the opportunity to study in Europe for the entire fall semester (freshman year) and all the connections/opportunities that come from such an experience. Additionally, unlike other Berkeley majors, I am already in Haas and would be able to take Haas courses beginning my freshman year. The location is great and placement seems to be good for both MBB and Wall Street. Little concerned that GMP content is not directly catered towards finance but via participation in organizations I feel that shouldn't be an issue (getting into organizations is also easier due to being in GMP). However, the cost is huge at around 70k/year.
Cornell Dyson: Prestige factor is high as it is an Ivy. Proximity to New York is huge and places best on Wall Street out of all of my other options. However, placement in consulting seems to be weaker than the other three. Dyson is extremely selective and I am interested in the AEM major (I was also selected as a part of a scholar program where I receive a small scholarship and executive mentorship, but the cost would still be relatively high). Hesitant about location (isolation) and overall weather (seems to be very gloomy).
That is my take (so far) on all of these options. I understand that this is a very loaded question, but I was wondering which options truly would be best for a career in IB/consulting/providing great opportunities. Additionally, I would really appreciate anyone's advice/take on which may be the best option in terms of value/overall experience.
Looks like you forgot to add for Cornell?
Sorry, just updated.
Since Haas would be the most, or second most expensive option on your list, the decision should be between UT vs Cornell, leaning towards the Ivy here. GT is a non-target close to a low semi-target, and I knew many friends that chose UGA over UT for consulting or IB.
Thanks for the input! If Haas were not the most expensive option, would you still recommend Cornell over Berkeley? I ask as I am still to receive my financial aid number from Cornell and am really intrigued by the Global Management Program.
Yes, I would still recommend Cornell over Berkeley, any day of the week!
Respect trying to save money. If finances aren't a deal breaker though, I'd rule out GT. Great school but finance placement really isn't great. Business school is rising but it's definitely much more of a STEM heavy school (even relative to Cornell and Berkeley).
Dyson will place the best into NYC banks by a wide margin. Seems more finance than consulting oriented but I'm sure top kids are getting MBB (seems hard to believe placement at MBB is worse than all three, but perhaps that is the case). It's also extremely hard to get into so congrats on swinging that. I will say that if you want to work on the West Coast, Berkeley would be a better choice.
UT Austin would be a lot of fun but if you could afford Cornell, I feel like that would be the move here.
Thanks! I definitely agree with your take on GT. I am open to working on either the East or West Coast (no major preference). Would you still recommend Cornell over Berkeley, especially with GMP?
Honestly not familiar with GMP so can't speak to that specifically but I'd say Dyson will give you more optionality than Haas.
Cornell and Berkeley will provide the most opportunities - they are also the two best schools you got into. These are prestige-focused industries. Factor in fit but think about what part of the country you want to end up in. The two commenters above had some good insights.
Very true. I am open to working on either the East or West Coast (no major preference). In this case, would you recommend Cornell (Dyson) or Berkeley (GMP)?
Cornell Dyson alum here. The population here that is interested in consulting is a fraction of what the finance population is. Cornell is a pretty strong target and probably in the 2nd highest ever HSW for finance recruitment along with the other ivies + top universities and definitely places far better than all of these schools by a wide margin. Pretty much everyone I knew who wanted a job in finance got one. Regarding consulting, the kids who were into it and actually put it in work - joined the top clubs, did case comps, knew and understand casing - had no trouble getting MBB offers. Personally know 6 kids (only 2 of whom were Dyson) go to MBB my year not to mention the crap ton of kids who go to EY and Deloitte for consulting. If I am being honest, the other Cornell schools are also good enough to be targets on their own. There were like 30 ILR kids who went to banking at BBs/EBs my year out of 200 in the grade most of whom were pre-law/hr oriented.
On the fun side, just gonna be frank and say if you are a guy just join a frat and your fun problem will be solved.
Really appreciate your advice! Just a couple of questions. (1) What is HSW? (2) I have heard that while Dyson is a strong target, the competition amongst the students at Cornell itself is extremely tough. Would you still recommend Cornell over the special programs such as GMP at Berkeley and BHP at UT which (supposedly) provide preference? Again, I really appreciate your insight.
HSW - Harvard Stanford Wharton. Would say those 3 will always have the best exit opps followed by the next level which I would say Cornell is in.
The competition for clubs is intense yes. Some clubs like Cornell consulting for example take like 3-4 kids a semester out of hundreds who apply. But know scores and scores of kids who just went ahead without them. I don't know too much about the honors programs at the other schools but will confidently say that Cornell places better than all of them by quite a stretch.
If it was just normal UT McCombs, I think Cornell would be the right choice with a bullet. BHP makes it a lot closer though. BHP will give you first access at interviews and recruiting, and that subgroup of the business school does better at placement that even Dyson as a whole. UT will also be the most fun school by a country mile.
That said, a lot of the banking and consulting opportunities will be based in Texas, so if you don't want that I think it's still Cornell.
Thanks for the insight! Just out of your curiosity, what are your thoughts on Berkeley and GMP?
Dm me for more info about Cornell
As a (non-dyson) Cornell student I would say that, money aside if ALL you care about with your college experience is placement, Cornell is the only choice there is. That said, Cornell has shitty culture, everyone is constantly stressed, it's a very competitive environment, and it's depressing as fuck. If you're in Dyson you're gonna be less stressed cause it's monkey work but everything else applies. I have heard good things about McCombs BHP and Berkeley as a whole, and if you're a smart and disciplined kid you'll probably be able to place but it will be harder than if you were at Cornell. Additionally, Cornell is the only school on this list that even gives you a shot of going straight to buy-side.
While there is some truth here, I guess I had a bit of a different experience.
As a Dyson student, I found my peers to be pretty collaborative. Sure there were some try hards but I did not feel like students were nearly as intense as those at Stern or Wharton. And really the only friends of mine who were truly stressed seemed to be the engineering/pre-med ones. I'll say the winters aren't for everyone and the weather can definitely lead to seasonal depression for some people, especially if you're coming from a warm place. Things may have since changed but I felt between Greek life, pre-professional/business fraternities, intramural sports, and all sorts of finance/consulting/other career-oriented clubs, it was actually pretty easy meeting people and making friends.
Placement point definitely holds true that at least on the finance side, Cornell will be unmatched. It is not a school for everyone but I'd say that I enjoyed my time there, as did the vast majority of my friends.
The clear choice is Cornell.
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