Oxford vs University of Chicago

I am an international student debating between reading chemistry at New College, Oxford, as opposed to University of Chicago where I'd likely study some combination of economics and computer science. My long term goal is to follow the IB -> PE path in either NYC or London, and then return to my home country to work in the highest echelons of PE or the government. Which university would better suit my aspirations?

I've also received offers from Duke, UPenn CAS, Dartmouth, and UC Berkeley.

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I think it depends more on what country you want to pursue the IB/PE opportunities in. UChicago/Upenn probably make the most sense if you want to go to the states I'd guess.

Degree choice is also a pretty substantial factor too; chemistry and econ/compsci are worlds apart and are unlikely to have any overlap whatsoever. The oxford chemistry course looks especially rigorous (coming from a current chemistry student elsewhere) so you're going to spend a lot of time dedicated to ensuring you understand the topics.

 

Not familiar with the US recruiting scene so can't really speak on that, but if you are determined you should quite easily (relatively speaking) be able to land IB at a BB in London reading chemistry at Oxford

 

Would say Oxford for London and +Uchicago for the US. Depends where do you see yourself working for the first 5 years of your career NY or London? Good luck :)

 

Internationally, Oxford is much more well-known than UChicago. Your average international and even probably some Americans won't be that familiar with UChicago. 

I'd probably say Oxford is the 2nd most well-known school in the world after Harvard. Even schools like Stanford don't have that much name recognition outside of the US among your average lay-person. 

 

I'd go Chicago for the US optionality. I think you could still recruit in London, given the more impersonal nature of recruitment there. 

 

Considering your ultimate goal is to go back to your non US home country, Oxford is definitely the move here.

Although if you were aiming to maximize fun + recruiting opportunities and outcomes for your goal, I'd rank it Duke = Dartmouth > Oxford > UChicago > UPenn CAS > Berkeley

 

I don’t think it’s an issue, especially in the UK. Choosing a degree solely for a career can be quite dull.

Chemistry should be fine for recruiting in all walks of finance

 

Are you replying to the right comment? I never said that oxford chemistry bars them from finance? I literally ranked it higher than uchicago.
In terms of choosing a degree solely for career, I literally advocated for duke/dartmouth because it'll be a more fun experience LOL

 

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