iu kelley vs umich LSA (hypothetical transfer)

hi everyone! i'm a incoming kelley freshman, and i wanted to get your guys' opinions on whether it'd be sensible to transfer to umich LSA during my sophomore year. i know strictly from a career standpoint kelley's leagues better for a business-focused career, but for multiple personal reasons (in-state, deep existing networks, etc.), i'm still considering umich alongside sticking w/ IU all 4 years. 

for context, i applied to umich ross but got WL. since they changed the application process last year, i couldn't have LSA as a fallback and got straight-up canned from umich. to add to the situation, i've started to reconsider whether i'm fully committed to a business/finance major and what that'll entail for my career. i know there's still a lotta variables in play, but specifically from a career standpoint -- would i still have decent prospects with an econ/PPE major

p.s: anyone here ever transfer from IU to umich? haven't seen anyone w that background yet. 

5 Comments
 
Most Helpful

I transfered from IU to Michigan. Michigan is more well regarded and is easier to get into IB from, even if you're not in Ross. People generally know Michigan is a "good" school. One caviat is that if you're in IBW at Kelley, you're in a great position, as that places extremely well, but know that it is is extremely difficult to get into. 

If you get a 3.7+ in Ross/Econ/STEM from Michigan you should be able to get an IB internship

I transferred as a sophomore and wasn't in any clubs at Michigan (95%+ of finance club seats go to freshman), so it's definitely possible to get internships. 

Will also say that you should consider what makes you happy. IU is more fun. Banking isn't everything. 

 

thanks for your input! just to clarify (sorry if this is a dumb q) did you transfer into ross or LSA? 

if LSA, do you have any advice for how to go about articulating your need/reason to transfer? i've been looking at econ/PPE as potential majors for umich, but i'm struggling on how to differentiate iu's offerings from umich (which is big since the admissions office emphasized that demonstrated need to transfer was a big thing). also, did you have any issues with coursework transferring? (ex. falling behind, not meeting distribution requirements, etc.)

i know this is a LOT but any advice would be amazing! 

 

I transferred direct into Ross. If you're worried about things not transferring, give Michigan admissions/registrar a call, they'll tell you what classes transfer between IU and Michigan, and you can choose IU coursework that will transfer. 

#1 thing you need to focus on above all else is a stellar GPA - aim for a 4.0 and stack on as many easy-A classes as possible. 

Regarding the essays, that's definitely the most important differentiator besides having great grades. Agonize over it and make sure they're really, really, really good. Make shit up if you want - they have no way of verifying stuff. Needs to come off as very authentic and not from ChatGPT. My general advice is to be ultra specific and show that you did your homework (e.g., be able to call out specific research organizations/professors you want to work with, name drop museums and specific artwork "that you visited", opportunities to customize course curriculum (9e.g., super good CS opportunities on central campus + Ross + Econ whereas IU is stronger in informatics)). Talk about how Michigan is your #1 choice, applied and got waitlisted, it's still your dream and you'll never give up on going to your dream school; say your Grandpa took you to Michigan vs. Ohio State football game every year growing up and how you bleed blue. For reference, two of my friends that got into Ross both talked about childhood illnesses they had growing up in their essays and how it was formative to their passions/leadership/etc. IDK, just go crazy and make your essays incredible. 

I've heard PPE is a bloodbath - maybe you're a wizard, but I know some smart kids who got totally destroyed because philosophy was so difficult (probably depends on the professor). 

I'd apply to both Ross and LSA obviously. You'll likely need a 4.0 to get into Ross; I know kids who got a 3.96 in STEM and didn't get in, but maybe their essays sucked. 

 

Maybe this was over the top, but some other things I did:

  • Was on a first name basis with the admissions department. I'd call and ask questions etc, some guy would answer that I've talked to before
  • Added additional attachments of my accomplishments (in my application there was an "additional attachment' section
 

Vero voluptas optio vel in impedit. Aut enim est iure qui nihil sequi natus ut.

Facilis temporibus voluptas quam animi sunt qui. Sunt perferendis autem ullam totam. Velit voluptatibus rerum quia neque ut dolorem quibusdam.

Nisi sit error sunt. Aut voluptatibus qui dicta. Voluptas delectus asperiores asperiores quia. Tenetur vero nobis totam facilis possimus porro.

Career Advancement Opportunities

May 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.8%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.2%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.7%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

May 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 01 98.8%
  • Evercore 01 98.2%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.6%
  • Banco Santander 01 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

May 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Evercore No 98.8%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.2%
  • JPMorgan No 97.7%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

May 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (14) $434
  • Associates (43) $259
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (13) $156
  • 1st Year Analyst (75) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (65) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
5
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
6
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
7
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
8
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
9
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
10
numi's picture
numi
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”