Alberta or Richard Ivey Transfer

Hi Guys,

History
- I just finished my second year at the University of Alberta B.Com program in Finance
- I also got accepted into Richard Ivey for the HBA program
- I have a 3.9 GPA in Alberta with an enormous amount of extracurricular activities, success in case competitions, and a good rapport with the Finance faculty (currently an RA for a Finance prof)
- I plan on getting into the PRIME program (for UofC students equivalency of CPMT)

The school's finance department has been gaining a lot of success lately with students placing in top tiers at RITC, 4th in North America at the CFA Global Investment Research Challenge, and more placements into big Canadian banks as well as JP Morgan than ever before (not nearly as many as Ivey obviously)

Now knowing this, is it worth it for me to go to Ivey? I know it's the most respected school and most recruiting from BB and Canadian banks goes towards Ivey but is the school alone enough to replace my status at the U of Alberta? I would never have even considered Alberta before but with so much here for me and the rising status of Alberta's program, I've become more unsure and would really appreciate any comments, suggestions, or thoughts you guys may have.

P.S: The reason I included so many facts about Alberta is because it is generally an unknown school for Finance and I figured the people who reply will already have more knowledge about Ivey.

 

Hey man,

If your goal is finance, then I would recommend that you go for it. You sound very talented at cases. Ivey should be a great fit.

I'm a chemical engineering student from U of Toronto. I have a 2.3 GPA and got fed up with the program so I decided to transfer to UWO. I'm hoping to improve my GPA and get into IVEY.

I have a few of my friends in Ivey, PM me if you need any introductions.

 
JYFresh:
Hey man,

If your goal is finance, then I would recommend that you go for it. You sound very talented at cases. Ivey should be a great fit.

I'm a chemical engineering student from U of Toronto. I have a 2.3 GPA and got fed up with the program so I decided to transfer to UWO. I'm hoping to improve my GPA and get into IVEY.

I have a few of my friends in Ivey, PM me if you need any introductions.

OP, Ivey is your best bet. Congrats and [welcome].

JYFresh... PLEASE don't do this. You won't get into Ivey no matter how much you improve your marks and then you'll be stuck in BMOS or some shit. If you had a 2.3 in Chem, you were probably T-program. I was a 1T1 EngSci major and I had a 3.2 but I still had to start from scratch (1st year Commerce) when I wanted to go to [a target] in 3rd year.

‎"Until and unless you discover that money is the root of all good, you ask for your own destruction. When money ceases to become the means by which men deal with one another, then men become the tools of other men. Blood, whips and guns or dollars."
 
Best Response
Independent Gestion:
JYFresh:
Hey man,

If your goal is finance, then I would recommend that you go for it. You sound very talented at cases. Ivey should be a great fit.

I'm a chemical engineering student from U of Toronto. I have a 2.3 GPA and got fed up with the program so I decided to transfer to UWO. I'm hoping to improve my GPA and get into IVEY.

I have a few of my friends in Ivey, PM me if you need any introductions.

OP, Ivey is your best bet. Congrats and [welcome].

JYFresh... PLEASE don't do this. You won't get into Ivey no matter how much you improve your marks and then you'll be stuck in BMOS or some shit. If you had a 2.3 in Chem, you were probably T-program. I was a 1T1 EngSci major and I had a 3.2 but I still had to start from scratch (1st year Commerce) when I wanted to go to [a target] in 3rd year.

The thing is...due to my foolishness to move in with a commerce student in my third year...my health declined and I started to lose control so I turned to part-time...When I was in part-time ChemEng, I started feeling down on myself...honestly I wanted to start over at a new university learning engineering, but my marks are so shit at U of T that I don't know how transfer credits will go...

Shit, I'm lost as ever. I don't really know what I want anymore.

 

The Bus School blows, but if you keep everything up you shouldn't have a problem getting a position at a Big 5 or Calgary boutique. Make sure to network. The Alberta schools both place pretty well within Alberta, and some even get placed in Toronto. The Prime program is solid. If you have any sort of ambition to go to the states go to Ivey. That said, if you are confident in your abilities to compete with the kids at Ivey, go. 3.9 with EC's at Ivey and you should be a shoe in, from what I understand. To be honest, there is really no downside for going to Ivey. It's the most respected Bschool in Canada, so you will always get preferential treatment. I'd go.

 

To correct you. I wouldnt say the finance department is gaining success. It is surprising that such a shitty ugrad bschool is placing some of its top students exceptionally well, MS JPM et al.(and has for a number of years now) The fact of the matter is that the majority of the students, even top performing ones, end up with relatively crummy jobs vs schools like Ivey or Queens.

 
bankforyourbuck:
To correct you. I wouldnt say the finance department is gaining success. It is surprising that such a shitty ugrad bschool is placing some of its top students exceptionally well, MS JPM et al.(and has for a number of years now) The fact of the matter is that the majority of the students, even top performing ones, end up with relatively crummy jobs vs schools like Ivey or Queens.

I can definitely agree with you on the fact that the majority of the top performing students get relatively crummy jobs. However, I'm concentrating on the PRIME program. $1.3 million fund run by 9 students every year (2 year program - first year analyst, second year manager). The program is basically my only incentive to stay. The top tier finance talent is all concentrated into those 9 students and their job prospects have been thus far incredible.

From what I know now of the 9 analysts and their summer prospects: 2 in IB BMO Calgary 1 in IB JP Morgan Calgary 1 BP S&T Calgary 4 in financial analyst positions for smaller power/oil/gas/agriculture companies

From what I know now of the 9 managers that graduated this year: 1 BP S&T FT Calgary 1 going to U of T Law 1 RBC - TO, NYC, LON 3 year rotation (I believe S&T) 1 JP Morgan Analyst FT Calgary 1 Deloitte Associate 1 GS Calgary 3 in financial analyst positions for smaller power/oil/gas companies

Those stats are literally the only reason I am considering Alberta. When you think about the % rate of the people in this program going to top positions, I'm disconcerted...

 

^ is that good? Have you seen Ivey's numbers? It's just funny to note that from the UofA i know a few kids NOT in the program that have placed really well the last couple years. BB in Canada, Big 5 Toronto, HF UK, boutiques in Calg and TO.

I'm not sure what I am trying to prove, and I obviously don't have first hand knowledge of the program, but I am somewhat familiar with it. - The douchebaginess and entitlement of the program definitely runs beyond the Universities borders, i will tell you that.

 

That being said, I also realize that Ivey has a MUCH broader selection and a lot better opportunities. I just want to be sure it's worth the $40,000 for tuition and living... In Alberta I basically get paid to go to school lol...

 

1 BP S&T FT Calgary - very good program 1 going to U of T Law - I know a bunch of kids from western/queens in this, a couple in the dual mba program 1 RBC - TO, NYC, LON 3 year rotation (I believe S&T) dono what this is. 1 JP Morgan Analyst FT Calgary - very nice 1 Deloitte Associate - um ok? 1 GS Calgary - very impressive 3 in financial analyst positions for smaller power/oil/gas companies - variable.

AlbertaIvey:
That being said, I also realize that Ivey has a MUCH broader selection and a lot better opportunities. I just want to be sure it's worth the $40,000 for tuition and living... In Alberta I basically get paid to go to school lol...

Like I said, if you keep it up, chances are you will get what you are after. Join the program, network, and keep your goals in sight.

 

Haha regardless, I appreciate your comments. They're definitely insightful into the process. I know either way I go, it'll be tough competition. If I stay, I have to find ways to stand out and hope that recruiters don't dock me for going to Alberta... If I go, I have to find ways to stand out against the crowd of Ivey Finance hopefuls..

I'm just a cautious person, I just don't want to make this big a decision and regret it later on... But again thanks for the help... Hopefully I get some more perspectives in here.

 

I'm an alum of the UofC equivalent and can say PRIME does a good job despite having to drive down to Calgary to network.

Historically, both programs will place the majority of kids into FO positions in Calgary. FT particularly but summers as well (I think CPMT placed all the students this year and last).

I was in the same situation as you, but went with rejecting Ivey. So if you have any specific concerns, feel free.

 

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