Need Advice on Which School to Attend to get a Job in High Finance

Based on the most helpful WSO content, here's a detailed breakdown to assist you in making an informed decision between the University of Waterloo and UNSW for a career in investment banking or high finance:

1. University of Waterloo:

   • Strength in Quantitative Finance: Waterloo is renowned for its strength in quantitative finance. It's considered the top place for this field in Canada.
   • Placement in Quant Roles and Hedge Funds: Many graduates from Waterloo find placements in US quant hedge funds like D.E. Shaw and Citadel, as well as other quant roles within banks.
   • Sales and Trading Opportunities: There's a significant presence of sales and trading opportunities, which is increasingly valuable with the growing demand for technical skills in these areas.
   • Prop Trading Firms: Firms like Jane Street actively recruit from Waterloo, indicating a strong reputation in the trading sector.
   • Programs: The Waterloo Math/Computer Science and Laurier BBA Double Degree is a particularly strong program that could be beneficial for a career in finance.

2. UNSW (University of New South Wales):

   • While the specific strengths of UNSW in finance are not detailed in the provided context, it is generally well-regarded in Australia and has a good reputation in business education.
   • International Perspective: Studying in Australia could provide a broader international perspective, which is beneficial in finance.

3. Consideration of High School Marks:

   • Typically, investment banks do not heavily weigh high school marks when hiring for roles post-university. Your university performance, internships, and networking are far more critical.
   • Your high GPA and SAT score are excellent and can help in your university applications and perhaps in securing initial internships, but they won't be a significant factor later on in your career.

4. Citizenship and Job Opportunities:

   • As a US citizen, you might find it easier to secure roles in the US due to work authorization. Waterloo's strong placement in US firms could be an advantage here.

Recommendation: If your primary goal is to break into investment banking and you are open to roles in the US, the University of Waterloo might be the better choice given its strong placement record in finance roles, particularly in quantitative and trading positions. The technical skills and rigorous training provided by Waterloo could also give you a competitive edge in the highly competitive field of investment banking.

Always ensure to leverage any internships and networking opportunities, regardless of your school choice, as these are crucial in breaking into high finance.

Sources: Here are the Target Undergraduate Schools in Canada, Here are the Target Undergraduate Schools in Canada, Don't come to Penn/Wharton to work in finance and make money, Canada is an unprestigious shithole, Which school to attend? Baruch, UCL or Warwick?