Question about Undergrad and Future Options
Here is my problem:
I'm an undergrad at a private school in Buffalo, NY. I want to work in ibanking, and I don't care what hell I have to go through to get there. I know the odds are against me already. Here is a brief description of how I stand:
-3.5 GPA
-Did not come from old money
-Did not come from new money
-Not an Ivy Leaguer (didn't try hard enough in high school)
-I live in Upstate NY
-I have one connection right now, a family friend who works for Morgan Stanley Smith Barney here in Buffalo
As I read online, through Google searches and the like, I am beginning to fear more and more that the place I'm at right now will never allow me to achieve my goals. What I lack in Ivy League, money, and family prestige, I feel I can make up for in tenacity, competitiveness, and work ethic. I also have outstanding people skills, and I care more about my future than I do about living the "college life". I'd sell my soul for 100 hours a week grinding out spreadsheets for no pay if it meant I could break my way into this industry.
Bottom line, I feel like I was born to be on Wall Street. I was born to live the lifestyle, and I will do whatever it takes to get there.
All of that really boils down to one question: Would transferring from my unknown private school to a place like NYU, Fordham, or even maybe a state school like SUNY Binghamton (top public school) change my chances and help get my eventual application onto an ibanker's desk? I understand it's also about "networking like a ninja" but forget that. Will transferring help chances, or am I better off finishing off here?
Figured I'd come to the experts. Thanks guys.
First off, I hope you don't convey this sort of desperation ever again. Instead, convey determination by joining some clubs related to Finance/Businesses, cold-calling/emailing firms for unpaid work, taking leadership positions on teams. Remember, determination is a strength, but desperation is a weakness.
If you have a competitive SAT score and decent extracurricular activities, then you should definitely try to transfer to a better school. I would apply to some Ivies and some other Tier 1 schools.
Hope this helped.
Transfer to NYU Stern, of the three programs you listed. Stay away from SUNY Binghampton and Fordham if you are going to make the effort to transfer. The beauty of finishing up at Stern is that you'll be in the city so networking with bankers will become much more convenient, and although the competition on campus will be much greater, the resources/proximity are worth the trade-off. If at all possible, I would say it's worth the transfer if you really want to break in. Otherwise, you will have to network your tail off and make a ton of trips into NYC to meet with people in person if you want it to happen. Either way it's an uphill battle, but definitely manageable... keep in mind that banking isn't rocket science and win people over with humility and drive, and you will be fine...
No, do not forget that. That is what will get you onto the street if you are at a non-target.
I am sorry, but a 3.5 will not get you into Stern or most other targets (unless you are eng/math/cs).
The merits of transferring to Fordham or a similar school are questionable, and really depend on how many alumni your school has on Wall St as well as the difference in "prestige". You are in upstate NY, so it's not like you couldn't possibly get to NYC for networking if you needed to.
Are you a freshman? If so, I would try getting your GPA up, then transferring to a target/semi-target.
Finally, for your own information, MS Smith Barney has basically nothing to do with Morgan Stanley IBD. It is like saying you think the local Citi branch manager could help you get Citi IBD.
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