Accept Fordham Transfer or test my luck elsewhere?

Baronec:

I think Fordham > Villanova, but that could just be me.. And this was my reasoning of the post. I do not think my chances are "that" hot for schools like NYU or Columbia, especially coming out of USC. Columbia specifically.

Disagree 100%. Nova is a solid semi-target in the northeast, and has a much stronger network in NYC/Philly than Fordham. Both can open doors, but I think Nova would serve you better in the long run. What Fordham offers in terms of proximity to NYC, Nova makes up for in OCR and alumni network. Gtown and UVA are also solid options as mentioned but are tougher to get into than Fordham as well.

Baronec:

Yes, yes they are. That is the only thing keeping me here for now. And honestly, do you seriously think I could get into Gtown and UVA? I mean I didn't even consider those. And also I want to work in the NYC area (that is where I was born and raised) specifically for a bulge bracket IB. Conversely, I also really want to get involved with trading maybe at a prop shop or in S&T at a BB. Either way, USC will not lead me there. And Fordham will definitely help. I just don't want to deny my application and then apply to these other schools and get denied by those. And then be stuck in this crap hole for another 2 years. But hey that's just me... I mean how hard is it to get into Gtown now of days? Also I had a "fuck up" year my Freshman year which may weigh me down with those schools. However, I have bounced back and have a decent 3.7 right now.

Go to Fordham for a semester, and if you don't like it then transfer over to NYU. Don't bother with Villanova/Baruch. 3.7 is good enough for any school in the country (serious) but you need to "sell yourself" to the schools as admissions are random. Gtown is easier to get into than UVA business (based on admissions stats for out of state applicants) but they don't disclose stats other than avg gpa which is useless. In regards to their placement, I've heard that it's slightly below the top ivies, but this is from reading wall street oasis IRL I've spoken to more financiers from Stern than at about any other school. Stern is VERY transfer friendly as long as you have good grades and so I'd really look there esp because you can intern during the semester at great firms part time which gives you a loaded resume much much better than most kids at other semi targets. - - -btw, you can do this even at Fordham prior to transferring which is why you should quit south carolina!! - - The only problem with stern is the intense competition but since you found out about finance early you should probably be able to do very well given that you put effort. I wouldn't go for schools like BC, BU, Wake, etc because Fordham is extremely underrated and the location makes it equivalent in recruiting terms to a lot of the more prestigious schools. If you're interested in a UVA type school, check out Michigan Ross - - much easier to get into but it's a 3 year program so you might have to spend an extra semester if you transfer after 1 semester from Fordham.

Baronec:

Many people, like BTbanker, say that NYU is nearly impossible to get in as a transfer. Especially Stern. However, I have also heard things like you said Husky about them being transfer friendly. Seems like im hearing all ends of the spectrum. How do you know exactly that they are transfer friendly? I would assume Stern has not much room for transfers, and guessing there is a ton of input with app's each year coming into the admissions office..

I'll try to clear things up for you... People who say NYU is impossible to transfer into are talking about Stern. NYU CAS is very easy to transfer into, hence the 29% I threw out there. People have broken into banking from CAS, but you have a better shot at UVA-McIntire.

Just remember the next time you hear someone say a top school (ND, uMich, NYU, Cornell, UVA) is "easy" to get into, they are referring to the lowly (liberal arts) schools within the university. Hope that helps.

I would apply to UVA, NYU, and Cornell. Keep your grades up, join some clubs or something, and apply next semester as a junior transfer.

Baronec:

Thanks, and yes I know that makes sense. Hence why I never considered them before now. Do you think I would have a decent shot at getting accepted to any of those other schools listed above? Excluding Columbia..

A 3.7+ GPA, good ECs, and a solid essay would make you competitive.

RWLforever:

As a fellow transfer, let me emphasize that no employer will know you went to USCe. Your degree and resume will simply state 'School A'.

Well, that's not exactly true for entry level jobs, especially if OP transfers for the Fall. Not only do most BBs require you to submit unofficial transcripts through OCR (in which it will say you transferred), he'd only have a semester of grades and very limited ECs on his resume. Not much of a story to tell without the past two years' work standing behind you...