Rutgers Honors College vs Penn State
I am a high school senior. I got into a few higher target schools but cannot afford them bc I did not fill out CSS. Stupid mistake, but an honest one. I have over a 1500 SAT, very high GPA, and close to 20 AP/honors/dual enrollment classes. I want to get into high level finance, most likely IB, and I think I would enjoy it. Which school do you think would set me up better for internships and a job after school? Penn State is a low semi target and has a top 30-40 business school. Business school is easily Penn state’s best individual college. Obviously would have an awesome time in terms of parties, IM, and sports. When I visited, loved it and tour guide told me it is very common for sophomores and up to get paid internships. Rutgers is about an hour away from where I live (both a pro and con) instate+scholarship makes it very cheap, and honors college is supposedly good. Campus life seemed decent in terms of parties, but traveling on a bus everywhere to the 4 different campuses for class seems like a pain. Also would probably fit the narrative of transferring better, or when looking for a job the narrative of a smart kid that took in state honors route because of money. Business school is more of 40-50 ranking. Personally, I think PSU fits me better and does rank better than Rutgers, but still a tough choice. What are your thoughts if you had to choose between the two and tuition cost aside (more interested about opportunity in my answers than about cost/decision itself)? Thanks so much your your time.
I've met very high caliber alum from both schools. Also have a high school friend who had a PSU acceptance but chose not to go, he seems to still regret it as his career never took off as he chose a really low quality private local school where he lived.
Familiar with Rutgers and personally would lean towards it because I happen to have a lot of family that lives there and its proximity to NYC.
Based on the insights from Wall Street Oasis, both Rutgers and Penn State offer solid opportunities for breaking into investment banking, but there are some nuances to consider:
Penn State's Business Program: Penn State is recognized as a semi-target school with a strong business program, ranked within the top 30-40. This could provide a slight edge in terms of recruitment for investment banking positions. The presence of paid internships for sophomores and up is a significant advantage, indicating strong industry connections and active career services.
Rutgers Honors College: While Rutgers might be ranked slightly lower in terms of its business school (40-50), the Honors College could offer a more personalized and rigorous academic environment. Proximity to New York City is a considerable advantage for networking and accessibility to internships in finance. The narrative of choosing a financially wise option while still obtaining a quality education could also resonate well with future employers.
Campus Life and Personal Fit: It seems Penn State aligns more with your personal preferences in terms of campus life and overall fit. This aspect shouldn't be underestimated, as your enjoyment and engagement during your college years can significantly impact your academic performance and extracurricular involvement, both of which are important for IB recruitment.
Internship and Job Opportunities: Both schools have networks and opportunities, but Penn State's slightly higher rank and its reputation within its business school might provide broader opportunities initially. However, the strategic location of Rutgers near NYC should also be considered for ongoing access to internships and networking events.
In conclusion, if tuition cost is set aside and the focus is purely on opportunities, Penn State might edge out slightly due to its higher ranking and strong business program reputation. However, Rutgers also presents a compelling case with its proximity to NYC and the benefits of its Honors College. Your personal fit and preference for Penn State, combined with its academic and social offerings, seem to align well with your goals and personality, making it a strong choice.
Sources: Penn State Honors vs IU Kelley vs UT Honors vs Umich Ross, Does a college's reputation really matter?, Rutgers Business School vs Gabelli School of Business (Undergrad), Undergrad School OPTIONS (please help), https://www.wallstreetoasis.com/forum/school/yale-vs-columbia-vs-nyu-stern-undergraduate?customgpt=1
I have friends at Rutgers, so can only speak to that school. Recruiting-wise, I think that going to Rutgers has benefits. Rutgers's Road to Wall Street program, which you have to apply and interview for, prepares you very well for the recruiting process, and many people there have very good exits (few go to top BBs and EBs). School itself has good presence on Wall Street. I would recommend doing some research into Penn State's recruiting process and comparing.
Campus-life wise, Rutgers has tons of parties, but definitely less of a party-school vibe than Penn State. However, I think your overall college experience is shaped by who you surround yourself by, so if you join a frat and are involved socially, that could compensate for it. I've heard that traveling on a bus isn't that bad - it more so depends where you live.
How about Rutgers for a year, save some money (ik you said money aside) and then transfer to a better school???
If you have connections to the lion fund or are willing to put in insane work to get in, I would take Penn State. The lion fund places really well on Wall Street, but is really hard to get into.
I don’t know anything about Rutgers. Feel free to message me if you have any questions about Penn State.
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