Columbia GS or Swarthmore?

Hi guys I am a first year applicant of fall 2021 who has more than one year gap year experiences. I am struggling with two offers - Columbia GS or Swarthmore College. I’m interested in IB and hedge fund, planning to study math and CS.

Columbia GS has great location, alumni networking but I am worrying that will recruiters treat GSers as the second class citizens (compared to CC and SEAS)?

I love Swarthmore’s academic and vibe but it’s a pretty small college so I am worrying about whether I will be disadvantaged on school’s reputation, alumni networking and location.

Please feel free to give me your suggestion! Thank you!

 

Would definitely go to Swarthmore over GS. Smaller but stronger alumni and less competition for positions. Unfortunately GS is not perceived as being the same as CC/SEAS, and people reviewing your application will probably be from CC/SEAS. GS might also impact your on campus experience (getting into proper clubs, etc). 

 

Swarthmore and don't look back. The smaller alumni network should be able to respond at a higher rate and be able to build connections faster. 

 
Most Helpful

There are plenty of successful GSers at Columbia. If you prefer Swarthmore go for it but you should not be concerned about being a "second-class citizen" at Columbia if you're not CC/SEAS. That extends to Barnard as well, everyone has access to the same recruiting.

 

100p true. I am a SEAS grad, some of the smartest people at Columbia are GS and when I was in club leadership we made sure to recruit GSers.

 

I graduated from GS last year. Having Columbia on the resume is definitely a plus for recruiting. Didn't recruit for IB but had no issues with getting eyeballs from family offices, hf and investment research type of roles, not to mention that I'm an international student

 

Eaque qui inventore dignissimos ea. Velit quo optio voluptatem velit autem doloremque placeat. Sint ut illo maxime maiores et et.

Quod similique architecto error ipsam corporis labore amet. Sapiente unde nulla qui occaecati nemo assumenda laboriosam.

Modi nihil delectus minima rerum impedit veritatis. In ut consequatur excepturi hic eos minus laudantium et. Error distinctio error modi ipsa eius laborum voluptatibus.

Molestias reprehenderit quis exercitationem. Nihil totam amet fuga unde quas hic iusto nemo. Dicta sequi quis quos ipsum et ratione. Maiores similique aliquid quia consectetur velit.

Career Advancement Opportunities

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Jefferies & Company 02 99.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 19 98.8%
  • Harris Williams & Co. New 98.3%
  • Lazard Freres 02 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 03 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Harris Williams & Co. 18 99.4%
  • JPMorgan Chase 10 98.8%
  • Lazard Freres 05 98.3%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.7%
  • William Blair 03 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Lazard Freres 01 99.4%
  • Jefferies & Company 02 98.8%
  • Goldman Sachs 17 98.3%
  • Moelis & Company 07 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 05 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Director/MD (5) $648
  • Vice President (19) $385
  • Associates (87) $260
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (14) $181
  • Intern/Summer Associate (33) $170
  • 2nd Year Analyst (66) $168
  • 1st Year Analyst (205) $159
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (146) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
3
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
99.0
4
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
5
kanon's picture
kanon
98.9
6
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
7
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
8
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
9
numi's picture
numi
98.8
10
Kenny_Powers_CFA's picture
Kenny_Powers_CFA
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”