Cal vs UCLA (Math & Econ)
I was just accepted as a transfer from community college into Pre Biz Econ at UCLA and Econ at Cal, but I will probably be doing Math/Econ at UCLA and Applied Math/Econ at Berkeley. I've finished all lower division math and have an interest into continuing into analysis.Anyways, what is the general consensus about recruiting/placement into IB from each school? I've been searching on here and there has been mixed opinions favoring both schools. I'm starting to get away from the academic standpoint and looking at the overall experience I would have at each school. I feel that a Berkeley degree would be better for opportunities in the future, but I could be wrong. Any input is appreciated.
Cal is significantly better than UCLA when it comes to BB recruiting. UCLA is a regional target at best with most of the larger banks in LA taking kids from target schools + Cal, and the school does not place well elsewhere. That said, would be interested in going to a boutique? You should be fine staying in LA if so.
I'm not too familiar with transfer students, however, at these schools. Will you be able to get into Haas as a transfer? At either school, you're going to have to hit the ground running to make up for lost time (assuming you did two years at a CC) and crush your studies and networking game.
You really think you would enjoy investment banking after going through the rigor of a math degree?
Id be alright going to a BB but I would rather shoot for a BB.I did not apply to Haas because I wasn't able to get the required statistics class, but I took Calc 3 and Linear Algebra/Differential Equations instead. I don't think I can switch but there could be a way in I don't know about. I will have to network like crazy, because I'm essentially coming from zero. I tried getting internships last summer but firms wanted people from universities, not community college.The Math isn't a big deal to me, but I didn't want to put all my eggs in one basket and limit myself without the math if things don't work out.
Sent you a PM.
There's no way to switch in to Haas once you've transferred, but there should still be plenty of time to prepare for recruiting. SF everything (including banking) is full of Cal alums, and most that I've contacted have at the very least responded to the e-mail. Just use LinkedIn/business clubs/career fair/info sessions to network.
If you would rather shoot for a BB, Cal is the better choice given the limited number of BBs that end up taking UCLA kids. You're going to have to crank hard because you're at a disadvantage to the Haas students who have been there the whole time. Not trying to burst your bubble, just trying to be a straight shooter with you here. Targeting boutiques would be a smarter choice, but nonetheless you should be aiming high.
Before you actually listen to anyone who writes on here, just check out an advanced search on linkedin of the BBs in LA/SF. I found a good amount of kids from Haas, ucla and even a decent amount from USC working for BBs in SF/LA. Haas has the advantage, but ucla isn't substantially worse. But again, you doing your own search is going to carry more weight than what others say.
I'm not saying you're wrong and I may just be bad at doing a LinkedIn search (looked at UCLA grads in the SF/LA area potentially with gigs at GS/MS/JPM/BAML/Barcap/UBS/CS/DB), but I found a total of 1 kid in an investment banking analyst program that went straight out of UCLA undergrad. Two more if you count the guy who took time off to play for the USA National Water Polo team and the guy who did a two-year master's degree program at Stanford.
I didn't look at Haas placement, but I'm sure I would find more than what I found for UCLA.
Hmm interesting. Do you not have any ucla connections? I did the search and came across easily 30+ and I only did half those banks. UCLA has an investment banking mentor ship club that takes about 15 kids from each year that usually all place into BBs/ upper MMs. A good friend of mine is a member of the club.
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@fearandloathinginca, your LinkedIn network is probably not hitting UCLA students. UCLA sends analysts into GS/MS/CS/Citi/DB/BAML/UBS/Lazard/etc. every year, and this year JPM recruited as well
Nah, there are lots more than that for LA.
ucla has gotten better in terms of ibanking but cal is hands down more of a target.
Or I guess was* cause he graduated
I guess I would have to decide where I want to place in and put the "prestige" part aside. If I want to stay in LA it seems that they are both even, but Berkeley will allow access to SF a bit easier than UCLA. I think Berkeley Econ is more rigorous and with math it may give me some different options. I've lived in north LA all my life so it is hard for me to say if I want to be in SF.
Saying UCLA has poor placement is completely incorrect. I know people who have gone to virtually all BBs, and some even get EB- including the likes of Moelis, Lazard and Qatalyst. That being said, yes UCLA is only a target on the west coast and Cal does have better placement, but UCLA is not a bad choice at all.
I know several people at UCLA and Cal that have received placement in elite boutique and BB's in California. One common thread that I found was their involvement in business fraternities that have historically had members go into investment banking. Because you're not in Haas, I'd make sure to join a good business fraternity for the support and networking opportunities, same goes with UCLA. Good luck!
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