Urgent School choice- Villanova University, Fordham University, William & Mary, Boston University

Hi everyone,

I am currently a freshmen and want to transfer to another school and plan on going into investment banking/private equity. I would be an incoming sophmore. I could wait another year and shoot hire, but I don't want to transfer next year because I don't know how this COVID-19 thing might play out (could lead to an increase in number of transfer applicants and cost) and I want to establish my self at a school. My options are the following-

Fordham University(gabelli)- 24k a year, but I would have to commute (which I don't mind if its the better option)

Boston University(questrom)- 32k a year

Villanova University(CLAS/ECON)- 30k a year( I really like this school, but I would be an econ major in the college of arts and science. I can't apply to transfer to the business school, but I might be a able to double major although I would have to apply. I can also get a minor in business)

William & Mary(business school)- 38k a year

Lehigh University(business school)- waitlist

I am kind of leaning towards Villanova because I really like the school (atmosphere/campus/alumni) and even if I can't do the double major in business I can do a minor in business with a double major in something else like math or political science. Please let me know what you guys think.
Thanks for your help!

 

Fordham and Lehigh seem like the best bet - you’ll have to grind at both, just like any other school of course. I can think of ~5 people off the top of my head that I know from Fordham at BBs, and are super intelligent dudes. And, my analyst is from Lehigh.

Edit

.......
 
Most Helpful

Hmmm if you were in at the biz school at Villanova that would be an easy pick for IB. Really it comes down to Fordham or Villanova. The things that sucks about Villanova is not being in the business school. I would think at a lower semi/non target like Villanova, you need to be in the business school. So, I would assess your chances to transfer to the biz school there. If you think it is not feasible I would go for Gabelli and just network your ass off.

 

Agree with Carl, either Fordham or Nova from my POV. I know a few W&M folks in banking, but don't think it is worth the extra money compared to Fordham/Nova. My friends had great times at both W&M and Nova. Villanova would be the most fun and you would get a much better experience by not having to commute, but from an IB perspective I think you would have more opportunities for internships during the school year at Fordham, but there's likely stuff you could find in Philly.

 

What about your thoughts on Boston University? They seem to be improving and I would say it's probably the most prestiges from the bunch. Also Villanova might serve better in the future as there are many alumni's to network with.

 

In addition to the internships aspect (from being in nyc vs philly suburbs), would also like to emphasize the extreme difference in culture/lifestyle between the two.

As someone who went to private school in a very private school-heavy area and had several friends go to villanova, I can tell you nova is very much like private school, just expanded into college (little geographic diversity and same very * basic * character/personality among most students). Whereas fordham is extremely diverse (you will easily have friends from all parts of the country and world) and generally much more progressive. Not saying one is better than the other, and I'm sure if you'd be commuting than you're close enough that you may already get what I'm saying about fordham in particular, but just something else to consider too (because in my experience the nature of your surroundings will have a significant effect on your motivation, work ethic, etc)

Array
 

Being in the business school doesn't matter like it would with Stern/NYU or Ross/UMich. If you join the right clubs and net work well you will do fine. Out of all these schools Villanova seems like it has the best chance of placing you in IB.

 

Fordham or Nova. I would lean Fordham if you have a shot at the honors program.

I’ve heard that Nova is very white, very rich, and Greek life is huge. My friend literally described it as “where underachieving rich kids go”. Nonetheless they are able to place in IB. Had one non-diversity in my summer analyst class last summer.

Don’t know much about Fordham but it gets praised on this forum from time to time if you want to search

 

Concur about Nova being for rich, white Duke rejects. I’d go to Fordham and enjoy the city and a much more diverse student body, as well as the opportunity to intern throughout the year. Very loyal alumni as well.

 

Yeah the only thing I kind of like about Fordham is being able to intern during the year and the placement they seem to have when checking lindkeln.(seems to be kind of close to Villanova). Other than that diversity is not really an issue for me and wouldn't mind being at Villanova

 

I had a friend who was in a similar situation between BU and Villanova(VSB) and he ended up choosing Villanova. According to him, even if you're not in the school of business, you'll still do fine when recruiting happens if you have the right GPA and clubs. BU seems more like a research university while Villanova seems like it's more pre professional so I think Villanova will offer the better recruiting.

 

Fordham and Villanova seem like top picks for you. You seem to like Villanova and would be happy there, I think you need to take this into account also. If you go to a school where you may not be as happy, you may also not perform as well.

Fordham is great because I am sure it is good for networking due to its location, you could set up coffee chats etc (not sure now though because of Covid).

You would not be in the business school though at Villanova which could be a disadvantage. Fordham is cheaper for you also, you would be in the business school. have access to NYC/easy networking...

 

10% African American is actually decent, a little below share of U.S. population. Unfortunately, only 5% of students are African-American according to the first few results on Google.

 

Nesciunt adipisci minima quod voluptatibus itaque libero. Quia nulla iure ipsa ratione fugiat.

 

Aspernatur molestiae nam officia. Optio porro ipsa et tempora non. Iste sint quisquam at. Est omnis ipsum quidem voluptas. Magni labore consequuntur nobis et cumque pariatur molestias. Voluptatem animi dolorem et repudiandae.

Voluptate minima voluptatibus quae id laborum consequuntur. Omnis at delectus aut corrupti. Natus quis eius quas. Qui dolorem cum ratione excepturi qui culpa recusandae. Nostrum eveniet voluptatem non sunt quisquam. Nulla aut voluptatum ea accusamus accusantium.

Quo quis aut excepturi id nobis laudantium. Nihil aut illum odit ut. Eveniet est et dolorem et ab harum nesciunt.

Consequatur saepe eos ut laudantium sit. Voluptatum quis quas pariatur eum est adipisci. Omnis dolor velit quia atque qui totam omnis. Corrupti tenetur soluta voluptatem. Nostrum sint occaecati nihil consequuntur libero. Facere quae laboriosam voluptatem enim possimus sed soluta consectetur. Est cumque necessitatibus omnis aspernatur id perferendis.

Career Advancement Opportunities

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Jefferies & Company 02 99.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 19 98.8%
  • Harris Williams & Co. New 98.3%
  • Lazard Freres 02 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 03 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Harris Williams & Co. 18 99.4%
  • JPMorgan Chase 10 98.8%
  • Lazard Freres 05 98.3%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.7%
  • William Blair 03 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Lazard Freres 01 99.4%
  • Jefferies & Company 02 98.8%
  • Goldman Sachs 17 98.3%
  • Moelis & Company 07 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 05 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Director/MD (5) $648
  • Vice President (19) $385
  • Associates (86) $261
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (14) $181
  • Intern/Summer Associate (33) $170
  • 2nd Year Analyst (66) $168
  • 1st Year Analyst (205) $159
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (145) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
5
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
6
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
7
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
8
kanon's picture
kanon
98.9
9
Jamoldo's picture
Jamoldo
98.8
10
numi's picture
numi
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”