UVA or Cornell?

So I am at city college right now and killed it there with a 4.0 and am fortunate enough to receive offers of admission as a transfer student for next Spring to both UVA & Cornell. I got in Pre-comm for UVA (opportunity to apply to Mcintire) and Hotel for Cornell. I am completely unsure on which to choose as I don't have any insight on the comparability of the two colleges and their designated fields of study and exactly how well they can generate internships with a 3.5+ GPA. Will I have an easier time getting SA IB internships at Cornell simply because it's an ivy, or is Mcintire at UVA far more impressive than a hospitality driven education with a fancy college name?

76 Comments
 

Because banks don't give a shit about what your major is. If you demonstrate interest through clubs, and take relevant classes, you'll be fine. Hotel school places really well into real estate, and it's decent with IB. However, you also need to take into account that not a lot of hotel kids actually want to go into IB. A lot of them want to do real estate, or do something related to hospitality.

 
Controversial

Neither of these are target programs, so there's probably no major advantage to either. They're both great schools. I was in a similar position. I was in a target-ish school. Most banks recruited there, but not like Wharton or CBS.

If it were me, knowing what I know now, just pick the one where you'll learn the most, enjoy the campus, have the highest GPA, extra curriculars, etc. I think of this like NCAA to NFL transition. Sure, 'Bama, LSU, Notre Dame, FL, OSU, USC, etc. will have high representation in the NFL, but Utah, Cincinnati, Boston College, Purdue, Fresno State, Northern Illinois, Central Michigan, Western Michigan, Eastern Michigan (so much Michigan), etc. have representation in the NFL. Those guys just had to work harder to get noticed. So you just know that going in. You're going to have to work harder to get recruited.

Also, maybe spend some time at the education school of your chosen university and find a potential wife because you won't have much time when you start in IB.

"The only place success comes before work is in the dictionary." - Vince Lombardi
 

My friend, all BB/EB recruit for Mcintire. That is definitely a target. Not a super target like HYPSW, but definitely a target. 40% of Mcintire alumni reported to be in IB, PE. HF.

 

You need to also consider that you might not want to do IB. What if you decide you like consulting more? That's why I think it's important to choose a school you think you would enjoy the best.

 

Honestly, both are excellent. I think Cornell places slightly better. UVA might offer a better undergrad experience (better weather for sure) but Cornell is an Ivy and it offers a rich alumni network to both itself and other Ivies through Ivy exclusive clubs and events. If neither offers you a scholarship, I'd choose Cornell in a heartbeat. But if Virginia offers you money, go there.

 

People telling you to study fucking hotel management at Cornell because "it's an ivy" are fucking retarded. UVA business school is obviously the way to go. It's like choosing back office at GS over FO at BMO because of the "prestige factor" of the name brand.

Go to UVA, learn finance, economics and accounting and break into IB. It's not hard and you'll have fun.

 

Look buddy, I personally know hotel students who have either interviewed or work at the following firms doing FO roles:

Moelis Evercore JPM GS Blackstone SIG DE Shaw PJT McKinsey Bain BCG BAML Deloitte S&O EY WF Citi

This isn't even close to the entire list, but just some companies off the top of my head. You aren't going to be limited by being a hotel student. Not telling you to choose Cornell, but I am telling you to ignore the retards that don't know anything about the hotel school.

Also, Cornell OCR is not school specific. You can be in the hotel school, a history major, or an econ major, doesn't matter...if you have a high gpa, relevant work experience, and you seem smart, you will get the interview.

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