Stern vs. Berkeley vs. UCLA vs. USC
Hello all, have the optionality to go to one of the above schools next year. Really don't know which one. Haven't heard the best things about Stern culture and USC recruiting for East Coast. I'm pretty indifferent about ending up on the East vs. West coast and wanted to know what your thoughts on these schools are?
I will probably want to start my career in banking or equity research.
Any feedback is appreciated :)
Stern or Berk will do best. Some will push you one way or the other, but realistically if you're at either you'll probably land an IB spot. Focus more on the culture and fit of each school, as there's a big difference between a private school known for rich student body and a public school out in california.
Is Stern culture really that shit? Have you known anyone from the school that can speak on it? I haven't heard the best things. I know it places the best per capita by far, even with the majority of kids interested in IB, but I've heard terrible things about the culture. Also is it possible/relativley straightforward to get NYC IB from Berkeley? (Compared to Stern, how much harder would it be?)
Thanks for taking the time to respond.
Stern, big IB feeder. Culture in NYU is that of wealthy students focused on shit other than school a lot of the time. That's based on things I've heard directly from NYU grads. UCB also has its own culture issues, so don't think it doesn't have problems. Also, UCB primarily recruits to the bay area and SF banking.
i went to stern and the culture is if you put lord of the flies on wall street. swarms recruiting for clubs that if you dont get into alum wont respond to you. also would note that it places the best by sheer numbers(ex. wharton) not per capita, plenty of ppl at stern will strike out recruiting for IB for at least BB/EB/MM because you're competing w/ 200+ kids.
Current Stern student, nothing negative to say about culture but you'll be surrounded by people who are locked in as well as a lot of hardos, which in turn could benefit yourself
UCLA probably has the best culture out of all of these, have seen them starting to punch above their weight in recruiting too.
stern if you like nyc, ucla if you like basketball, usc if you like football
ucb has the worst of all three - toxicity of stern, public school density of ucla, and an awful location like usc. not to mention the amount of cringy nerds in their stem majors lol.
You’ll be totally fine at any of these schools (assuming you put in the work, network, etc.) Personally, I’ve seen slightly less junior hires from USC vs the others, but still plenty of placement and nothing to worry about. Go where you think you’ll have the most fun. Obviously, if you develop a preference for working in NYC vs SF vs LA, going to the local school will help a little bit, but placing outside your region isn’t hard at all. The banks are good at recruiting from target schools all over the country, it’s a very manageable process.
Thank you so much for your advice! Visiting all these schools soon.
Placement: NYU > Berkeley > USC > UCLA
Fun: USC > UCLA > NYU > Berkeley
Heard NYU isn't fun in the classrom, but NYC is lots of fun if you're 21+.
...which most people aren't until they're mostly through junior year.
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