What makes NYU so good?
Hey yall, so in a college search for IB, NYU comes up as one of the top schools to go to. Why is this? Other than location which is obvious, it seems like it’s a step ahead of most other schools. Is it because of a certain program, I know their econ program is awesome. It’s hella expensive, so what makes it so good?
No, not their econ program. Basically their entire reputation in high finance is tied to their business school, Stern. It's recruited at heavily due to the student body's large interest in finance, and as you mentioned, the location. If you're thinking of attending, however, I have heard rumors regarding the cut-throat nature of the school (as well as the fact that there is no traditional collegiate experience), so make sure you know what your getting yourself into.
A lot of people will down-talk Stern on WSO because it seems to be the easy thing to do (no college experience, stereotypically socially abrasive student body, not the most prestigious for careers outside of finance). But from what I have seen, if you are certain on the IB/PE route, Stern is a fantastic option.
And FWIW, my prior bank (top EB/BB) had Stern as a core school. My current MF has a few Sternies at the associate level, but most kids hail from H/W.
"Socially abrasive" is a good way to put it. If your sole goal in life is to be an investment banker (to the exclusion of friendship, intellectual curiosity, and other things you're supposed to develop in college), then by all means go to Stern.
The thing is though, there are a bunch of schools with similar (or better) recruiting where you don't have to make the same personal sacrifices. Stern kids love to talk about their placement, but when you think about the proportion of the student body vying for those jobs, it isn't anything special.
I mean I didn't go to Stern so I can't tell you first hand, but I've met a handful of Stern kids an they weren't exactly pleasant people. It's worth visiting to see if you like the vibe--who knows, it could be a fit for you. Stern just tends to attract the people who are all in about finance over everything else, which creates perpetuates the cycle. Moreover, studying business in undergrad is underrated.
I think you meant overrated
I went to Stern, so I'll offer my insight. The above comments are pretty much accurate. Stern will get you IB as long as you don't majorly fuck up. Interest in IB also is overstated by WSO. Lot of kids want it at Stern, but not to the degree that's implied in the whole of WSO. As long as you take care of your basic shit, you should be good. There's so much opportunity for kids, even the bottom barrel, to land something. However, some Sternies do indeed fit this "socially abrasive" stereotype, but they can easily be avoided. You attract the kids who are like you, so if you're a finance hardo and a douchebag (not calling you one), you'll be around finance hardos and douchebags.
I went to Stern. A lot of my friends went to Stern. A lot of my friends went to other schools at NYU.
There are a lot of obnoxious finance hardos but you can spot them from a mile away and it’s really not hard to avoid them, especially if you don’t go near the finance clubs / business frats (which I recommend). Stern has something like 650 students per year and the majority of those are normal. I met some amazing people from all around the world that will probably be lifelong friends.
Social life is different at NYU, that’s for sure. If you’re mentally 4 years old and can’t handle the real world without a support network of chads on frat row, don’t come here. But I never understood people that say NYU has no social life. Do they seriously think people that live in NYC have nothing to do on the weekends? Boggles my mind