Undergrad UMich Ross vs. Notre Dame Mendoza vs. Rutgers vs. UVA vs. IU
Hello all, I hope to break into NY IB after college and I was recently fortunate enough to be accepted to these schools. I know you all are probably tired of seeing posts like these, but I would genuinely appreciate insights on placement, quality of life, enjoyment, value, etc.
I plan to visit these schools and talk with current students, so I'm mostly interested in IB-related advice, but I would also appreciate other comments if you have them. I will have to take out loans as my parents will not pay for all of my schooling, so here is what I expect in loans over 4 years:
ND - $164k
Ross - $150k
Rutgers - $60k
UVA - $150k
Indiana Kelley - $100k
Really appreciate the feedback you have. I know that it will come down to fit, but I'm just trying to gather as much info as I can to make a well-informed decision. As for debt, I would say I'm financially prudent so I'm not too concerned with debt, but of course less is better. Thank you in advance.
Based on the most helpful WSO content, here's a breakdown to help you evaluate your options for breaking into NY IB:
UMich Ross: Ross is a top-tier business school with strong placement in investment banking, especially in NYC. Its alumni network is extensive, and the OCR (on-campus recruiting) is robust. However, $150k in loans is significant, so weigh the ROI carefully. Ann Arbor also offers a vibrant college experience with a strong sports culture.
Notre Dame Mendoza: Mendoza has a solid reputation, and Notre Dame's alumni network is incredibly loyal and influential, especially in the Midwest and East Coast. However, its IB placement is slightly less consistent compared to Ross. The $164k debt is steep, so consider if the private school experience and network justify the cost.
Rutgers: While Rutgers is significantly cheaper ($60k debt), it is not a traditional target school for IB. Breaking into NY IB from Rutgers would require aggressive networking and leveraging any alumni connections. It’s a more cost-effective option but comes with challenges in placement.
UVA (McIntire): UVA’s McIntire School of Commerce is highly regarded and has strong IB placement, particularly on the East Coast. The $150k debt is comparable to Ross, but McIntire’s smaller size and tight-knit alumni network could be advantageous. Charlottesville also offers a great quality of life.
Indiana Kelley: Kelley has a strong reputation for finance and IB placement, especially through its Investment Banking Workshop. The $100k debt is more manageable than Ross or UVA, and Kelley’s program is well-structured for IB prep. However, it may not carry the same prestige as Ross or McIntire.
Key Considerations:
If you’re confident in your ability to network and manage debt, Ross or McIntire would be the best bets for NY IB. If minimizing debt is a priority, Kelley offers a strong middle ground.
Sources: Undergrad School OPTIONS (please help), For undergrad, any major difference in outcome/prestige UMich Ross vs. Notre Dame Mendoza?, Penn State Honors vs IU Kelley vs UT Honors vs Umich Ross, Northwestern ECON vs IU Kelley vs Vanderbilt ECON, Why you should consider Notre Dame for undergrad
1.Darden - historically best undergrad business school
2.Ross - all around target school with excellent business school
You'll likely have more fun at Ross imo if you're a football fan, I think exits look similar from either
Notre Dame, and it's not even close.
Don't even consider Kelley or Rutgers. Rutgers is not a good school, and if you don't get into the Kelley workshop, your chances at IB are slim-to-none.
UVA is a good school, but it is a solid tier below Ross and ND. The placement just isn't the same, and the social life at Ross/ND is just as good as UVA.
As for Ross vs. ND, ND wins by a large margin. At Ross, you're competing with tons of genius hardos all gunning for a few IB spots. If you don't get into the top clubs, your chances at IB go down immensely. All the IB recruiting at UMich is run through clubs, and the placement isn't great per-capita.
Notre Dame has uncompetitive clubs, an alumni network that goes to bat for you, and good placement. They place very well in Chicago, and there has been great placement in NY over the past few years.
There is definitely a correct choice here: go to Notre Dame.
Yeah, ND doesn't have a super competitive atmosphere. The finance clubs (e.g., SIBC, NDVC, Unleashed Social Ventures, Wall Street Club, Investment Club, Real Estate Club) are open to everyone, regardless of your major. It's also easy for a non-Mendoza major to get involved on campus. Arts & Letters has many great opportunities (e.g., case comps with actual companies, stock pitch competitions, networking events) to place people in investment banking or consulting careers. Solid placements to BB/EBs and lots of MMs from Chicago and New York recruit as well (e.g., William Blair, Baird, Houlihan Lokey, Leerink, Lincoln, Raymond James, Jefferies, Macquarie, Piper Sandler).
.
Feel free to PM me. I'm a current Notre Dame student.
1. UVA McIntire
2. Ross (I went to undergrad here)
3. ND Mendoza
4. IU Kelley
5. Rutgers
My good friend went to UVA and they place quite well to buy-side direct out of college. Michigan/UVA/ND are all of similar caliber for undergrad business schools, but the latter two have been better historically with lower acceptance rates, I'd argue alumni base is stronger for UVA than Michigan which is why it places direct to buy-side better. Then from a quality of life aspect, UVA is awesome - great greek life, hot chicks, good weather, cool town, stuff to do outside. Michigan did not have many attractive women and the weather sucks ass. I don't know much about ND, obviously it's a great school, but I did work a summer in South Bend and that place SUCKS. It's also a much smaller/private school, so not as fun + probably more limited alumni base as well from a volume perspective (don't get me wrong, ND still has an amazing alumni base and reputation).
IU Kelley is good and is a semi-target school, but unless you're in IBW (Investment Banking Workshop), it's much harder to break in. All of my friends that ended up on Wallstreet from IU were in IBW; it's very competitive to get in, similar to the finance clubs and Ross and McIntire, but if you get in you'll be able to go to good shops for sure. UVA and IU have the best campuses, but I'd argue UVA is still better + you'll be surrounded by smarter people on average than IU.
I would advise against Rutgers - not a target school.
Feel free to DM me if you have any questions. I think UVA McIntire would be your best choice, but between that, Ross, and ND you're in a good spot either way.
Ross. Congrats!
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