LACs / UChicago / UVA for UG
Hey all,I am a rising senior looking at potential colleges to ED / apply to.
Academically I am pretty strong- not strong enough for HYPSW / crazy STEM schools but I think I have a shot at most other places.
Obviously, "exit ops" of a school is not the only thing, but school does cost an arm and a leg and I would like to go to a school that sets me up well.
I prefer a smaller school cause I think it fosters a much tighter community & better alumni network but I am flexible.
The 4 colleges I really like are 1. Bowdoin, 2. Williams, 3. UChicago, and 4. UVA — I think I have a good shot at UCHI Bowdoin and UVA (they love my school + UVA legacy) while Williams is more of a reach but still attainable especially if I ED.
In terms of "prestige" and post grad recruiting, how strong are each of these schools? For example, does UCHI recruiting blow Bowdoin/Williams out of the water or is it comparable? Is there a tangible difference between Bowdoin/Williams?
Cost is thankfully not an issue but UVA would be cheaper, I just think I would get lost in a big school like that but would be willing to go cause I'm flexible.
Sorry for long post and thanks so much 👍
Also I have safeties and other schools these are just my top choices
Bump, curious
Yea it’s funny, people have such varied opinions on LACs, some people think they are ass and it would be better going to Kelly/other semis and others think the tight alumni network will allow you to network with Jesus. I feel like LACs fit me better but like I said I don't want to turn down a the chance to attend a much "better" school in terms of opportunities 🙃
UChicago is by far the best option all else equal
lol UChicago and Williams are a wash, same caliber schools.
Big difference between Bowdoin and Williams. Have run into many Williams students/alums & they’re very tight knit group w/ seniors who vouch for them. Know at least 3 kids from Williams going to the GS IB sophomore program.
Maybe look at Middlebury if you want another LAC option?
U think Midd>Bowdoin? What about Amherst?
Easily Midd>Bowdoin. Amherst is also a great option — as difficult to get into as Williams though. Know of a few people at solid shops there (General Atlantic, Lazard etc) — but less of a finance culture compared to Williams & less alum on the street.
Midd >> Bowdoin any day
Reassess kid.
UChicago is in a different league and far ahead of Bowdoin and UVA , and even Williams / Amherst / Middlebury
If.you don't think you can get into HSPY, I have bad news for you - you are NOT getting into UChi
Good luck with whatever you do
LBObuyoutReassess kid. UChicago is in a different league and far ahead of Bowdoin and UVA , and even Williams / Amherst / Middlebury If.you don't think you can get into HSPY, I have bad news for you - you are NOT getting into UChi Good luck with whatever you do
I would normally agree, just my HS is a crazy UChi feeder and kids with 3.5s can get in if they have good essays. Obv a phenomenal school I'm not trying to discount it.
Easily Williams. Everyone I know at Williams/Amherst are at top IBs and PE analyst programs. Don’t know about Midd/Bowdoin as much but solid options too.
Uchicago will make you hate your life and honestly Williams is one of the best undergraduate educations you can get.
A smaller portion of the class is interested in finance so if u are decently competent, you will place well
Second this. I'd say it's on par with Chicago but have a close friend at Williams, and I've heard they've been lights out during the last two recruiting cycles. More than 15 (!) kids interning/going to intern at GS, 5 at MS, 4 at BX/KKR, placement at most EBs (Moelis, CVP, PJT), not to mention strong ties at Citi, Barclays, and Guggenheim.
As others have mentioned, much less competition due to smaller size and less overall interest in IB. If you know you want a LAC, definitely don't hesitate to pick Williams. You'll get looks.
UChicago >>> UVA > Williams (idk about other LACs).
U Chi is the obvious best here.
I’d go Williams
- UVA alum
why williams instead of UVA? Curious
imo UChicago=Williams > Bowdoin > UVA. I had the choice between UChicago, Columbia, UPenn and Williams, and chose Williams.
This thread is all over the place, basically just people tossing out their own biases with conviction and hoping it lands. Truthfully, it's a somewhat nuanced answer, but there is likely some directional correctness to it.
U Chicago & Williams are not similar schools, but as far as general recruiting outcomes, they're probably similar. Chicago is obviously a big research institution, great business school, strong finance research bend, etc. You'll be able to get really quanty here and it's a feeder for a lot of great roles.
Williams is a top school as well, top LAC, will be a completely different college experience, but the alumni group is tight and you'll be able to recruit/do most things coming out of Williams.
I'd put theses two as 1A and 1B and the ordering of them comes down to your personal preference on where you fit in best. LACs are great for a small campus and tight knit community feel, which some love and some hate. Personally, I put Amherst/Williams up there with the HYPS of the world. Not there from a brand perspective and probably not quite as "prestigious" but the quality of education is very high and those schools are likely cross shopped to an extent. If you don't mind the feel of the schools and think you can get in, I'd pursue both of these as well as Middlebury, Bowdoin, etc as a type of school you're going after.
U Chicago will have a city feel, I know a few folks who went there for undergrad, it's a grind for sure, not quite as bad as it used to be, but definitely a more academic vibe. Kind of cool to be in Chicago though, so if you're a little more city oriented, it's a great option as well.
Bowdoin to me is just crunchier Williams, so more liberal arts-y, a little less career oriented, you'll do fine here and they have alums all over the business world, but I'd take Amherst/Williams in a heartbeat over it and probably even Middlebury too, but that's more of a push. You're really splitting hairs at that point. Kids from both Midd and Bowdoin go to wall street all day long, my gut tells me Midd sends more on a numbers basis, which is both good and bad. I'd focus on fit rather than pure placement stats.
Lastly, UVA to me is a different breed of good, public schools. Will be big, probably a lot of fun, the quality of classmates will be a little more all over the place, but not a bad option as well.
If I were you OP, I'd use an ED at a Williams/Amherst and really focus on nailing that down as your one early app. If that doesn't work out, apply broadly to a mix of LACs given you like the small school feel, maybe a couple of the non HYPS good schools, U Chicago, Duke, ND, etc if you want some of that type of flavor, and then round out with top Publics, UVA, UNC, Michigan etc. Given your profile it sounds like you're a pretty strong candidate, so some of these should hit. Just my 2cents though.
I would think a name partner such as yourself would know this, but I guess not. Here is some help:
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