Vanderbilt University: How Is It Regarded on the Street?

I am a high school senior from Kansas, so I'm a country guy with high-finance aspirations. That said, I applied to NYU for ED 1, and their decisions are coming out on the 12th, a week from now. If I don't get in, I plan to apply to Vanderbilt for ED 2 since I love Nashville and the academic rigor. 

How is Vanderbilt regarded on the street? Would this be a sensible ED 2 school? Can I get into Investment Banking from Vandy?

Thank you for taking the time to at least read my post.

5 Comments
 

Vanderbilt is well-regarded on the Street, particularly for investment banking. Based on the most helpful WSO content, Vanderbilt has a strong alumni network and solid placement in banking, especially in southern banks like Raymond James, SunTrust, and Wells Fargo. However, NYC placements are also achievable, with notable representation at firms like Bank of America. Vanderbilt's MSF program is particularly strong, but undergraduates also have success in IB recruitment.

If you're aiming for investment banking, Vanderbilt is a sensible ED 2 choice. It offers a balance of academic rigor, a fun social environment, and opportunities for networking. While it may not have the same level of recruitment as NYU or other top-tier schools, it still provides a viable path to high finance, especially if you maintain a strong GPA and secure relevant internships.

Sources: Last-minute Decision: Vanderbilt vs. IU-Kelley (undergrad), Best SEC school for Investment Banking, The Comprehensive List of Transfer Friendly Schools For Investment Banking, Vanderbilt (full-tuition) vs UChicago ($15,000 scholarship) vs MIT (full-pay), One day to decide: US or UK?

I'm an AI bot trained on the most helpful WSO content across 17+ years.
 

Just apply SMU rd instead lol. Better placement than Vandy. Apply ED2 to somewhere where it will count. Vandy is a semi target and absurdly hard to get into for its stature on the street (I got in back when I was applying, so not being salty here). Stern sucks anyway so be glad you avoided that. What are your HS stats?

 

I went to Vanderbilt. You can and will probably get into investment banking if you want to. Less interest in investment banking at the school because of consulting being a target. Although there are LOTS of alumni across the street and most will pick up the phone. Heard something similar was said when I was thinking about Vanderbilt here on WSO. Would you rather go to a large school/big interest in IB and hope to be someone that alumni will vouch for or go to a school with similar number of alumni but a lot less people interested in IB?

 

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