How screwed am I if I attend the University of Alabama?
Okay, so I'm a high school senior from a lower middle-class background who's been waitlisted/rejected from about 10 or so targets/semi-targets. Going into the college application process, I thought I had a real shot at most of them (I have a 35 on the ACT, decent ECS) but I think I was probably rejected because of my GPA (3.6, downward trend junior year due to personal reasons). My ultimate goal is an IB BB job, preferably in NYC but the south is fine too.
Anyways, the only school that accepted me was the University of Alabama. They'll give me basically a full ride for national merit, so I could graduate from there with little to no debt. However, I am really worried about their reputation and what my career options from there would be. On-campus recruiting seems to be virtually nonexistent. At Alabama, I'm planning to network like hell, get as close to a 4.0 as possible and to transfer after 3 semesters to a different target/semitarget school. From what I’ve heard, breaking into IB from UA is next to impossible. Would you monkeys agree?
If you double major in BEER PONG and SEC FOOTBALL, I think you'll be able to land KKR out of undergrad!
Ideally, the only way you'll get screwed by going to Alabama is at the hands of some big tiddied, corn-fed country blondes.
This guy gets it. Tig ol biddies.
If you let the school you're going to define you and dictate your opportunities before you even attended, you are going to be screwed regardless of where you go
You should put rejected by Middlebury into the list of very good things that have happened to you
If I was in the market looking for young hires, would absolutely hire an Alabama grad over the hordes of "smart" top-tier and/or ivy league kids. For a few reasons:
U of A(labama) probably leads you towards a more "traditional" WallSt firm (think bigger bro culture, more "hiring by feel", etc). Doubt quant funds will look at you. In this day and age, that might be a blessing.
pun?
lol "you're English is native"
There’s a surprising number of Alabama grads on Wall Street, in particular students that studied engineering. Top tier programs will get attention.
You might benefit from reading some of the responses in this thread:
https://www.wallstreetoasis.com/forums/university-of-alabama</a">https://www.wallstreetoasis.com/forums/university-of-alabama
Alabama alum here, working in IB in NYC. Was in the same exact spot as you (Killer test scores, not great GPA), went to bama for free and broke in to IB. You can break in as here is a bunch of kids on the street, probably 10-15 from my class, but you have to follow the exact model (3.8+, Join the investment club and extra curricular finance programs). If you do all those you'll get interviews and then it just comes down to networking and you as a person. If you have any questions about Wall Street, the school, or even the social life there feel free to PM me or reply to my post.
I went to Alabama (class of 2015) and did just fine. I'm in IB for a BB in Oil & Gas in Houston. Some of my best friends from Alabama are front office GS, consultants at McKinsey, or starting at HBS in the Fall. Going to Alabama is not a disqualifier for joining a prestigious firm in a top position. You’re going to have to work- it won’t come to you. But, that being said, I did have a fantastic time in college so working a little harder was worth it for me in the end.
You need to establish yourself on campus and get involved (think Honors College, Culverhouse Investment Management Group, Save First, Microfinance Initative, etc) and be a strong contender for a premier award to best position yourself for recruiting. Also, Go Greek and network- some of my sorority sisters dads have been fantastic contacts to know in the industry.