Penn State Smeal, VT Pamplin, U of South Carolina Darla Moore, or University of Michican (lsa, not main campus)
Ive received most of my decisions and am wondering what the wisest choice would be for undergrad admissions, Ideally looking to go into Investment Banking (S&T) or Quant Trading. I wouldnt mind big4 consulting at all, though.
Right now my choices are narrowed down to
Penn State Smeal, VT Pamplin, U of South Carolina Darla Moore, or University of Michican (lsa, not main campus) Also Stevens Institute of Tech has a new Quant Finance undergrad program.
Money isnt much of a concern for me as i received a good amount of merit for each.
I just need help figuring out what wold maximize my chances of getting a job in S&T.
Some other schools include Fordham, CUNY Baruch, Bentley, Drexel, etc, but i believe they only place so well due to either their proximity to the city or school size.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
Based on the most helpful WSO content, here's what you need to know:
For your goal of breaking into Investment Banking (S&T) or Quant Trading, the strength of the school's alumni network, reputation in finance, and placement track record are critical factors. Here's a breakdown of your options:
University of Michigan (LSA): Even though it's not the Ross School of Business, Michigan has a strong overall reputation and a robust alumni network in finance. If you can leverage the Michigan alumni network and potentially transfer to Ross (if possible), this could be your best bet for maximizing opportunities in S&T or Quant Trading.
Penn State Smeal: Smeal has a solid reputation and places decently into finance roles, especially in the Northeast. However, it may not have the same level of access to top-tier firms as Michigan. That said, Smeal's alumni network is strong, and with effort, you can break into S&T or consulting.
Stevens Institute of Technology (Quant Finance Program): If you're specifically targeting Quant Trading, Stevens' Quant Finance program could be a strong choice. Quantitative roles often value technical skills and specialized programs, and Stevens' proximity to NYC is a plus. However, its overall brand name in finance is not as strong as Michigan or Penn State.
Virginia Tech Pamplin: Pamplin is a good business school, but it doesn't have the same level of finance placement as Michigan or Penn State. It may be more challenging to break into S&T or Quant Trading from here.
University of South Carolina Darla Moore: While Darla Moore is a respected business school, it has less of a track record for placing students into high finance roles compared to the other schools on your list.
Recommendations:
Additional Notes:
Good luck with your decision!
Sources: https://www.wallstreetoasis.com/forum/job-search/qa-undergraduate-quantitative-trading-decision-process-advice?customgpt=1, Best internships for Quant Trading?, University of South Carolina ( USC, UofSC, Carolina, DMSB, Moore) Insight, https://www.wallstreetoasis.com/forum/job-search/qa-undergraduate-quantitative-trading-decision-process-advice?customgpt=1, MSF Question and Answer
Del
Go to PSU or UMich. I went to PSU. Very good pipeline now to Wall Street. Good placement in IB and S&T. Especially if this is a goal going in, join the NLF and maybe Lev Lion clubs early. You’ll be good
UMICH > PSU.
“Michican”?
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