WashU Olin vs. Vanderbilt for NYC IB? (undergrad)

I know both are similarly ranked and T20s (with Vandy having a slight edge in prestige) but which one has better OCR and placement?

I'm kind of concerned about WashU's name recognition (I've heard if you say you go to WashU people might think you mean Washington State or D.C.), but which school is better known in the realm of high finance and will carry more weight in IB and later buyside recruiting?

In terms of cost both are the same and I'm fine with the social life of both schools, so it really just comes down to academic/career factors for me. Thanks in advance

8 Comments
 

Vanderbilt is going to have many more opportunities for recruiting. IMO, they have an excellent social scene with greek life and excellent networking opportunities. Alumni also stay connected and are for the most part always willing to help. WashU is a great school but you are not going to have the academics and social life that Vandy would have like greek life, sports, connections, academics. This help at all?

 

No, I did not. I wish I had an opportunity like that but am thankful to have the opportunity at the place I'm at. I strongly would encourage you to take Vanderbilt. I have plenty of friends at both schools but hands down, the people at Vandy are having more fun and a significantly easier recruitment process. I'm also not saying that WashU is a bad school and you won't get an opportunity. Take a Linkedin search and come back and report. 

 

Searching LinkedIn, Vanderbilt/Owen has about 15% more alumni in investment banking. More alumni in banking and more lay prestige, not to mention an incredibly fun college experience in Nashville with beautiful girls and beautiful weather. While both of these schools will land you a great banking offer, neither has a substantial pull in buy-side recruiting. Nothing to be alarmed at, just means you need to work for it. Good luck!

 

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