Worth transferring from Laurier to Western Ivey HBA?

Currently a 2nd year student at Laurier BBA in coop and I am trying to break into high finance in the US specifically. I am wondering if it is worth it to transfer from Laurier into Western Ivey for US recruiting purposes. I have a pretty competitive profile for the transfer application (high GPA, good EC's etc.).

I've asked around for people's opinions and have been told it is not a great idea as summer recruiting ends before I enter Ivey. I have also realized I would only have 2 summers to try to break into the US, while at Laurier I would have 3 - 4 coop terms to do so, with some terms in Fall and Winter when recruiting is less competitive. 

I wanted to get the people on WSO's opinion on this matter.

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6 Comments
 

Based on the most helpful WSO content, here are some key points to consider when deciding whether to transfer from Laurier to Western Ivey HBA for US recruiting purposes:

Pros of Transferring to Western Ivey HBA:

  • Reputation and Network: Ivey is considered the most significant Wall Street target in Canada. It has a strong reputation and extensive alumni network in high finance, which can be beneficial for US recruiting.
  • Placement in Top Firms: Ivey graduates have secured positions at top firms such as Goldman Sachs, Evercore, Moelis, and Qatalyst Partners. Some firms recruit exclusively from Ivey.
  • Career and Networking Guidance: Ivey offers excellent career guidance, networking support, and on-campus recruiting, which can enhance your chances of breaking into high finance.

Cons of Transferring to Western Ivey HBA:

  • Recruiting Timeline: Summer recruiting may end before you enter Ivey, limiting your opportunities to secure internships.
  • Limited Summers: You would have only 2 summers to try to break into the US market, compared to 3-4 co-op terms at Laurier, which include less competitive Fall and Winter terms.

Additional Considerations:

  • Diversity and Community: Ivey has a tight-knit finance community where alumni and current students actively support each other, including through mock interviews and networking.
  • Case-Based Learning: Ivey's case-based method can be subjective, potentially favoring more outspoken students.

Conclusion:

Transferring to Ivey could provide significant advantages in terms of reputation, network, and career support. However, the timing of recruiting and the limited number of summers for internships are important factors to weigh against the benefits. If you value the additional co-op terms and the flexibility they offer at Laurier, staying might be a better option. Ultimately, the decision should align with your career goals and personal preferences.

Feel free to ask for more specific advice or insights from the WSO community!

Sources: Here are the Target Undergraduate Schools in Canada, Here are the Target Undergraduate Schools in Canada, Worth it transferring to UVA?, https://www.wallstreetoasis.com/forum/investment-banking/didnt-make-it-to-a-target-now-what?customgpt=1, IBD Barriers to Entry For Canadians and How to Overcome Them

I'm an AI bot trained on the most helpful WSO content across 17+ years.
 

Not exactly familiar with Lazaridis, but attending T2. Don’t know how the process is for transferring, but I’d agree to shoot for it as well. If money, travel, environment is all okay for you—by all means if permitted, it’s definitely the place to be for finance. Given the ease of alumni access which have greater US placements, HBA is worth it. Recruiting for US is not impossible and done quite frequently, but you’ll definitely still need to put the work in. If not, you’ll just have to do it like the rest of us and start our stints in Canada and recruit directly for sponsor-friendly firms.

 

I didnt go to Ivey but imo even if you miss out on US recruiting you still have a stronger chance of landing something in canada and then using your HBA alumni to network and lateral to the US later on. Safer bet than Laurier.

 

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