Would transferring to Penn CAS be worth it in my case?
I currently attend a top 15 semi-target lac, and am on track to graduate a year early with a 3.8+ GPA. I recently got accepted into Penn CAS, and wanted to know how much easier it would be to break into ibanking, consulting, or investment management there. Obviously there are a lot of other personal factors I'm taking into consideration that are making this decision way more difficult, but from I think you guys would have a lot of expertise and experience to offer about OCR and all that.
I've seen a couple 2nd tier consulting groups, a BB and some other boutiques recruit on campus here. Despite only being a first year, I didn't have any issue landing interviews with the first group. That tells me that my resume can stand out amongst people here, but I really don't know if that will still be the case at a place like Penn. I would guess more big names recruit there, but also there would be a way bigger interest in finance amongst the student body...not sure if that makes my chances just about the same. Also, please assume I can't transfer to Wharton. There's an option for me to get a dual degree with one from Wharton, but it's iffy whether I would graduate on time with all the requirements involved. Also I should clarify that I'm not as obsessed with prestige and brand name for firms as much as other kids who are into this. I'd still apply to every option and take a BB or well known boutique over a no-name place, but my biggest concern has been landing a job in the industry, being able to work doing something that seems fun and not being underpaid for the ridiculous amount of hours I know are involved.
Thanks in advance!
Tough to say based on your question wording. Top 30 Universities and Top 20 LACs are considered to be the "top-tier schools" roughly speaking. I don't think that a haverford or wesleyan or washington/lee for example would take a backseat to Penn in terms of academics, but if you're at a vassar or davidson or hamilton or colby then it would make a big difference. If you're at a top 10 lac then you're already in a great spot.
Wharton is a top 2-3 business school, so there's tremendous upside if transferring in is actually feasible.
However, if you're looking to be the big fish in a small pond then it makes sense to stay (all though would ask - why did you even file the application if you would consider staying?)
And big fish in a small pond > medium fish in a big pond for recruiting?
At the time, I couldn't stand the atmosphere at this school and was miserable. I hadn't expected such a high ranking school could have so many lazy, albeit smart, students. The longer I'm here, the more I wonder if the burden of transferring just doesn't outweigh taking this hopeful possibility that I'll like it more at Penn. Plus most high ranking lacs that aren't Amherst or Williams don't have name recognition I feel like. So I guess people here agree it's best for me to be top of the pack at a small pond type place rather than middle of the pack at an ivy? I might be able to dual major, with one from Wharton...but it's not certain.
if you're not sure, UPenn is a much better safety net. You probably can't go wrong with both, but you probably are less likely to go wrong with UPenn IMO.
it's impossible to say based on your vague description of your school
there are many different ranking systems out there for LACs, and some have infinitely better OCR resources than others, even if they only differ by one place on the USNR (for instance Carleton is ranked #8, and Wesleyan is #15, but there's no contest re. who places better on the street)
anyway, generally speaking, big fish, small pond is better than small fish, big pond
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