Small LAC with athletics or Notre Dame as a regular student for IB

Based on the most helpful WSO content, choosing between Notre Dame and a small Liberal Arts College (LAC) like Colby or Bates for breaking into investment banking (IB) involves weighing several factors, including the role of athletics in your college experience and the strength of each institution's network and recruiting pipeline into IB.

Notre Dame, as highlighted in the context, sends approximately 110 kids to investment banking and about 20 to the buyside each year out of around 200 finance majors. This indicates a strong pipeline into IB, supported by an excellent alumni network that is highly beneficial for getting interviews and networking. Notre Dame's collaborative environment, non-competitive atmosphere, and comprehensive support for IB recruiting, including hand-me-down interview prep materials, unique alumni connections, and finance clubs like the Wall Street Club, make it an attractive option for aspiring investment bankers. The university's reputation and connections within the finance industry can significantly ease the recruiting process.

On the other hand, participating in athletics at a small LAC can indeed be a unique selling point and may provide leadership experiences and qualities highly valued by IB recruiters. The ability to balance academics and athletics demonstrates time management, teamwork, and dedication. However, the direct pipeline into IB and the strength of the alumni network in finance might not be as pronounced at smaller LACs compared to Notre Dame. While personal achievements and leadership roles in sports can stand out on a resume, the overall opportunities for networking and direct recruitment into IB might be more limited.

Given that you will be paying full tuition at both colleges, the decision could come down to which aspects you value more for your undergraduate experience and career goals. If breaking into IB is your primary objective, Notre Dame's robust finance recruiting infrastructure, alumni network, and high placement rate in IB might offer a more direct and supported path. However, if the collegiate athletic experience and the personal development it brings are equally important to you, and you're confident in your ability to leverage networking and other resources effectively at a small LAC, then Colby or Bates could also be a viable route into IB, albeit potentially with more self-driven effort in networking and recruiting.

Ultimately, both paths can lead to a successful career in investment banking, but Notre Dame's established pipeline and support system for IB recruiting might provide a more straightforward path into the industry.

Sources: Why you should consider Notre Dame for undergrad, Why you should consider Notre Dame for undergrad

Based on the most helpful WSO content, choosing between Notre Dame and a small Liberal Arts College (LAC) like Colby or Bates, especially for breaking into Investment Banking (IB), involves weighing several factors, including the value of athletics versus the strength of an alumni network.

1. Notre Dame for IB:

   • Strong Alumni Network: Notre Dame is renowned for its powerful and supportive alumni network, which can be incredibly beneficial for securing interviews and networking opportunities in the IB sector.
   • Career Advancement Opportunities: Notre Dame students have a track record of landing positions in top investment banks and financial institutions. The school sends approximately 110 kids to investment banking and around 20 to the buyside each year, out of about 200 finance majors in each class. This demonstrates a strong placement rate in the industry.
   • Recruitment and Support: Notre Dame provides extensive support for students recruiting for IB, including hand-me-down interview prep materials, strategies for firms, applications, and networking. The career center also facilitates connections with unique alums and leverages pipelines accessible only to Notre Dame students.

2. Small LAC with Athletics:

   • Athletic Participation: Playing a non-revenue sport at a small LAC can indeed be a significant advantage in IB recruiting. It demonstrates teamwork, leadership, discipline, and the ability to balance academics with extracurricular activities, qualities highly valued in the IB sector.
   • Personalized Attention: Small LACs often offer more personalized attention and smaller class sizes, which can enhance your academic experience and provide more opportunities for leadership within the college community.

Conclusion: While playing sports at a small LAC can provide a unique advantage and develop valuable skills for IB, Notre Dame's robust alumni network, strong placement rates in IB, and comprehensive recruitment support make it a compelling choice for aspiring investment bankers. If your primary goal is to break into investment banking, Notre Dame's resources, alumni network, and track record in finance placements might offer a more direct and supported path into the industry. However, the decision should also consider personal preferences, the value you place on athletics, and the overall college experience you are seeking.

Sources: Why you should consider Notre Dame for undergrad, Why you should consider Notre Dame for undergrad