Which School/MBA Program to choose for Investment Banking?

I have been admitted to Darden (zero scholarship), Anderson (60k scholarship), and McCombs (30k scholarship).

As an international career switcher having spent most of my time in CPG Brand Management and Management Consulting, my first priority would be the strength of IB recruiting and preparation at the school, and then maybe scholarships (I'm still trying to negotiate more money out of all these schools). And given that I would need sponsorship since I'm an international candidate, BBs would be my main targets with a handful of EBs that sponsor.

I have gone through the publicly available employment reports for all these schools and have spoken with current students/alums from all three schools, and prima facie, it appears that Darden is the strongest for IB, but I would welcome specific and nuanced inputs here from people who have spent multiple years in IB.

So good folks, what advice would you share with this greenhorn?

4 Comments
 

I’m a Darden alum so I am biased but I have only the best things to say about my Darden experience. I don’t think McCombs is worth it for only 30k. Anderson at 60k is worth it if you want to stay West Coast but if you want to be East Coast then Darden feels like a no brainer of those three. The more money you get from Anderson, the more difficult of a decision it becomes.

 

Thank you for your inputs!

Yes, I would ideally like to be on the East Coast (as most of the product/coverage groups are situated there). I tried negotiating with Darden for some pittance but they didn't budge, and it feels kinda bad rejecting Anderson with 60k (after converting my waitlist status there from Round 1).

But I guess it's time for me to swallow the full tuition-pill at big D.

 

EyeingEyeBee

Thank you for your inputs!

Yes, I would ideally like to be on the East Coast (as most of the product/coverage groups are situated there). I tried negotiating with Darden for some pittance but they didn't budge, and it feels kinda bad rejecting Anderson with 60k (after converting my waitlist status there from Round 1).

But I guess it's time for me to swallow the full tuition-pill at big D.

60k per year and Anderson is a no brainer, 30k per year and up to you. Darden will place better but Anderson holds its own weight, just 60k isn’t that much for the trajectory you’ll get by increasing your odds of placement

 

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