Liberal Arts or Business school undergrad
I am admitted to 2 LAC (Hamilton and Amherst) and 3 Business schools (Penn State, W&M and Fordham). Which school would best prepare and give me opportunities to break into IB? Thanks.
Amherst and Hamilton are excellent choices for breaking into investment banking (IB), especially if you're willing to put in the effort to network. Based on the most helpful WSO content, liberal arts colleges (LACs) like Amherst and Hamilton are academically elite and have strong alumni networks, which can be leveraged for opportunities in finance. However, you may need to hustle more compared to larger business schools due to less on-campus recruiting (OCR). Networking with alumni and sending out emails will be key.
Among the business schools, Penn State has a strong alumni presence in finance and a more structured path for IB recruiting compared to W&M and Fordham. If you prefer a more direct pipeline with OCR and structured resources, Penn State might be a better fit.
In summary: - Amherst or Hamilton: Great for academics and alumni networks, but requires proactive networking. - Penn State: Stronger OCR and alumni presence in finance, offering a more direct path to IB.
If you're comfortable with networking and want a top-tier academic experience, Amherst or Hamilton would be ideal. If you prefer a more structured recruiting process, Penn State is the better choice.
Sources: Undergrad School OPTIONS (please help), Liberal Arts Undergrads: A few tips to land THE internship, https://www.wallstreetoasis.com/forum/investment-banking/liberal-arts-vs-undergraduate-business?customgpt=1, Which undergrad public safety is best to attend: IU, Penn State, UFlorida, or Fordham?, The Allure of Investment Banking
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