Vanderbilt vs UCL vs US LAC

I've posted about this too much, I know, but it's a big decision I have to make.

I just finished my first year at a US LAC (it's a Semi-Target). I got admitted to UCL in the UK and Vanderbilt. All three schools have their benefits, and I can't decide.

US LAC: Small and Southern. On a sports team (D3), but not part of a frat. Econ major. Alumni is strong, apparently, but half the school gets a business-related major (bus, econ, acct) and probably half of them want to be investment bankers--the alumni can't help all of us. I love the school, but I feel like I've experienced what it has to offer for me. I would miss the team.

Vanderbilt: More prestigious--everyone knows what it is. Econ and Spanish double major. Alumni? IDK how helpful they are. I also don't know how well it does in IB or consulting. I don't have to go to NY, but the more opportunities the better. Culturally, I think it will be a little worse than my current school b/c I won't know anyone, I won't be part of a team (or a frat, but that's a wash) and it will be more competitive (harder to stand out), but Nashville is cool.

UCL: If career prospects were equal for all three, I would choose this. The experience of going and getting a degree abroad is something that I'd really like, and I'd be open to spending a couple years in the UK afterwards. There are drawbacks though because, obviously, the career prospects are incredibly different. First, although attending UCL would save me at least $30k, I would loose that within a year or two of working; UK salaries are that much lower. Second, transferring back to the US will be difficult (no US PE recruiting in the UK, and lateral would be too late for PE recruiting). The way to get back as I see it is through an MBA. Third, if I don't manage to get IB then I'm stuck with a Big4 firm or something, which will pay much less than US Big 4 would, and I don't think it would mean much back here in the States. I would love the experience, but I don't know if it's worth the risk.

For those of you who attended UCL or Vanderbilt or my unnamed LAC, please tell me how your school's opportunities are. It's a big decision that I have to make, so any insight as to career or experience or anything is valuable to me.

 

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