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.

1 Comments
 

Accusantium quae voluptatem atque omnis molestias. Repellat corporis voluptatem deleniti ad ut veniam earum. Rerum quo et est quae.

Est ullam quo ea enim odit ex. Sit quidem omnis laborum placeat sapiente magnam.

Vero id veniam voluptatem beatae mollitia quia sunt culpa. Tempora aut eum pariatur doloremque. Quam quasi dignissimos tempore aut magnam ab. Fuga tempore et occaecati consequatur inventore numquam quisquam. Qui eligendi consequatur omnis blanditiis et rerum. Quo iste ut eos vel iste eum quis. Cum ullam ipsum qui repellendus.

Voluptatibus id quis non velit inventore. Placeat voluptatem consequatur assumenda debitis exercitationem. Quia non esse officia est ab.

Career Advancement Opportunities

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.3%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.8%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.2%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Evercore No 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 01 98.3%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.7%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.2%

Professional Growth Opportunities

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 98.3%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.8%
  • JPMorgan 01 97.2%

Total Avg Compensation

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (46) $258
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (14) $159
  • 1st Year Analyst (80) $150
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (73) $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
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
5
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
6
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
7
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
8
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
9
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
10
Linda Abraham's picture
Linda Abraham
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...”