In a bit of a predicament.

So I got accepted into NYU Stern but after talking to my parents they wouldn't be able to afford it even with the aid provided by the university. Other than Stern I only applied to other UC's as a Bioengineering major and got rejected from Berkeley and LA. I've been obsessed about getting a job in finance and but it seems that this window is closing. Is there any other pathway I can take to get into Wall Street?

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Bank I work at has people from schools all over the country. State schools, small liberal arts schools, ivies. You’re in high school. What you need to understand (and what only the kids who ACTUALLY get into IB understand, not the kids who go on this forums that are wannabees) is that it really comes down to your drive and networking skills, which can come with time. If you’re willing to put in the work: go to the cheaper school, get amazing grades, take leadership positions, and reach out to everyone you can get in touch with to network for IB. You’ll likely have more fun in college and end up in the same exact place as someone who went to Stern, and have no student loans.

If you choose a school ONLY based on its chances to get you into IB you are an idiot. I interned and am going FT in BB IBD. Got decent grades (3.5), went to a large state school (not a competitive one), and didn’t have any family connections, but I just networked hard junior and senior year. Not as hard as everyone makes it out to be if you don’t network like a weirdo and can learn some finance on your own. Pm me - happy to help.

 

USC is expensive as all hell. Go to UCSB, have some fun, get out without debt, keep your head on straight, apply to internships early, make connections and you'll be fine.

 

How much more money would you have to borrow to go to Stern vs the alternative? I'm sure its a big chunk of change but with low interest rates and long payment terms, I suspect its worth it compared to the value of having a big leg up on your chosen career.

If it was Stern vs. a semi target b-school like IU or something, it might be a closer call.

But Stern vs a non-target with the wrong major? I'd think that's worth a few hundred grand to have much better odds of getting the career you want. Consider that people regularly invest in MBAs at a full cost of $400-500k just to get their career on a different track.

Curious to know the cost difference. Anything below 200k and I think you at least give a hard look to Stern.

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