Undergrad selection

I'm making a new thread since the last one dealt more with WashU in general. I have been accepted to these four schools and I want to know which ones would give me the best access to IB.

-Washington University in St. Louis
-UNC-Chapel Hill
-Rice University
-University of Notre Dame

UNC will be a lot cheaper because my family will be in-state for my sophomore year on (moving to NC), but cost is not an issue.

Edit: I would be happier going to a private school so I think I'm taking UNC off the table.

24 Comments
 

Do you have a preference as to where you want to work full time?

"For I am a sinner in the hands of an angry God. Bloody Mary full of vodka, blessed are you among cocktails. Pray for me now and at the hour of my death, which I hope is soon. Amen."
 

ND will give you access to NYC (some) and Chicago, UNC will give you access to NYC (some), Charlotte, and Atlanta.

MM IB -> Corporate Development -> Strategic Finance
 
Best Response

This is a tough call between ND and UNC, but if you can get in-state at Chapel Hill your second year, and you can't get a scholarship at ND, I'd go with UNC. Last I recall, ND and the other Catholic schools charged tuitions that looked more like out-of-state tuition than private school tuition, but the difference between in-state and Catholic is still substantial.

You will have to work your butt off though.

My answer would be different if you'd be paying out-of-state tuition for all four years. I'm frugal, but I pay for value. Outside of places where the state school outranks ND in the subject according to US News, ND IS worth a premium over most state schools, for most disciplines, even a really solid one like UNC Chapel Hill.

Exception: IF Mom and Dad are paying for it, and Dad owns a Ferrari and Mom is buying 19th century french furniture, and money is truly no object for your family or your education, go with Notre Dame. For most people in most reasonable situations, though, I'd go in-state with a solid option like UNC.

 

Having made several visits there during my undergrad years, I would choose UNC in a heartbeat (honestly, regardless of cost). It's a fun school, awesome weather, awesome sports, great campus, etc. It will be a bit more difficult to get to NYC/Chicago, but far from impossible.

"For I am a sinner in the hands of an angry God. Bloody Mary full of vodka, blessed are you among cocktails. Pray for me now and at the hour of my death, which I hope is soon. Amen."
 
JerseyGuy95Even better than Mendoza? I'm kind of surprised. I knew Keenan-Flagler was good but I always thought Notre Dame had good alumni connections.

ND might place a bit better in NYC and most likely places much better in Chicago than UNC. UNC places extremely well in the Southeast while still having decent representation in NYC.

What this comes down to is that all 4 schools are top notch. You are already on WSO as a high schooler - you are so far ahead of your peers already that I don't foresee you having an issue getting into banking regardless of which school you choose. This should really come down to your personal preferences now - where will you enjoy your next 4 years most?

"For I am a sinner in the hands of an angry God. Bloody Mary full of vodka, blessed are you among cocktails. Pray for me now and at the hour of my death, which I hope is soon. Amen."
 
JerseyGuy95I mean I really don't know which of these schools I'd be happiest at.

Have you visited yet?

"For I am a sinner in the hands of an angry God. Bloody Mary full of vodka, blessed are you among cocktails. Pray for me now and at the hour of my death, which I hope is soon. Amen."
 

I've pretty much eliminated UNC at this point. I think I would prefer a private school for smaller classes, etc. Between Rice, WUSTL and Notre Dame, which would be the best choice?

 

Just my 0.02 cents, I would suggest Rice over the other two on your list. If you can speak English, maintain grades, and network at all, I have never seen a Rice grad not make it into ibanking that wanted to work in the field. People on this board only think that Rice will place in oil & gas investment banking, but that is far from the case. Many Rice undergraduates work in both NYC and Chicago and they are fiercely loyal to others attending Rice.

I can't speak much to WashU, but I have not heard good things about NDs IB placement from several finance undergrads from that school. ND places a bunch in both Chicago and NYC but not on the IB side.

 

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