Did I make a mistake going to Notre Dame?
Saw the other thread about ND. Gonna take the bait and bite. School's about to start and I'm having second thoughts about going. I got into 2 of HYPSW but I turned it down for a full-merit-based ride to ND. Not from a prep school with banker parents, so couldn't pay 200k for HYPSW. Would not be able to get student loans to cover everything either. So didn't really have a choice but w/e. Rising freshman now. I chose ND because I honestly did like the school (am neither catholic or a kool-aid drinker). Is it REALLY that shitty of a school? I looked at this specifically when I made my decision and thought, even if most of the recruiting's in Chicago, which is contrary to what I've heard, it can't be that bad. I've heard recruitment has gotten a lot better over the past 10 years. Also one of the top senders to HBS and endowment is larger than half the Ivy League. I guess I'm just trying to rationalize it but hit me with your best shot.
It’s not shitty you’re just going to have to work harder to network but on the flip side against less competition. You’ll be a bigger fish in a smaller pond if you have your shit together in the first place.
ND is a fantastic school, no reason to be concerned. The alumni network is also one of the strongest anywhere, with people who genuinely loved their college experiences and are willing to help out --- much stronger in my view compared with most of the HYPWS that you named above. There are also plenty of ND grads at every major bank in NY, so I think you're fine. Nothing is going to be handed to you, but if you work hard, get good grades, etc you'll be competitive for any role. There are even a few banks/funds that historically have only hired their analysts from ND -- Leonard Green in LA used to basically only hire its analysts from ND, not sure if this has changed.
It's just hard because it's a lot harder to stand out and there's a lot more people gunning for the same positions.
Currently a rising junior at ND and going through IB recruiting right now so maybe in a better place to answer this than most.
While it is not a HYPSW level school ND is definitely a strong semi target and a lot of banks recruit here. We are a target for every bank in Chicago and most NYC BB's/EB's come to campus as well. I think altogether we place 100+ students every year into FO finance jobs with 60+ going into IB across NYC and Chicago. As said above too the alumni network is fantastic; I probably had a ~90% response rate to networking call requests with alumni which is much higher than any school I know.
You'll definitely have to be a step above most Mendoza students to be competitive for NYC BB recruiting but if you got a full merit based scholarship you should be smart enough. Just get involved in the business clubs (SIBC is a must plus investment club, wall street club) the first semester of your freshman year + try to take some finance related classes and you'll be ready.
Happy to answer any other questions you have.
Good on you. That is called an incredibly wise financial decision.
No. It obviously isn't Harvard or Princeton, but it isn't even remotely close to trash - even if the football team is ;)
ND is a good school, and I am sure you will do fine. Kids break into investment banking from nontargets every year, so a semi-target should put you on the right track. Congrats on making a good financial decision.
ND would get you into REPE
damn, that's unfortunate.
You're in a good place. Come out swinging hard with top grades and begin to get in touch with alumni to land some good internships.
Did you miss all the comments in there (some of them from me) saying how well it places? Full-ride? Jesus, easy decision.
At least you don't have greek life to distract you
Maybe this is a little mean, but if you're smart and personable enough to get into multiple Ivies, you're probably much more impressive than your average Notre Dame kid and you'll have a really good outcome. People tend to overestimate the importance of the school vis-a-vis the individual--take a solid kid and put her at Harvard, Notre Dame, or Michigan and she'll end up getting the same gig at any of the three. Prestige acts as more of a safety net to support mediocre kids; the really solid ones will get where they want to go without any extra help.
100%
This is facts
Better school than I went to and I was able to break in. If you have your shit together and work hard, you should be totally fine. Seeing ND on a resume is a good think IMO. It's a great school.
Very strong alumni network throughout finance that will do more for you than from other schools. Ik they have a strong group at BofA IB
You're reading too much into the WSO bubble my dude. There's a pretty big east-coast bias around here that for whatever reason tends to think of ND as some average state school in the midwest cornfields.
You're absolutely FUCKED. HSW are the only schools that take IB analysts, your best option is probably big four or Northwestern Mutual at this point.
ND is a good school. That being said, you made a mistake if you actually took it over HYPSW, but what can you do now? Focus on making the most of ND.
OP took a full-ride that allows him to graduate debt-free. That is not a mistake in any way, shape, or form.
Attending a school like HPYSW is a once in a lifetime opportunity and obviously has many more resources that will benefit a person’s career immeasurably. $200,000 isn’t a small amount, but it is compared to the money someone can make in finance over the course of their entire career.
You’re just a fool
Also, now that you’re in college, you’re going to have the chance to be under distinguished professors who take you under their wing in finance. Maybe they can make the right call for you to get an interview or position. Seek out professors you would like to know well and excel in their classes to secure a recommendation. Sometimes that’s all you need is a recommendation from the right person. Definitely check out their CV and ratings on ratemyprofessor.com. You do need a mix of easy classes but also classes with professors you want as well.
dude to be honest - in setting your goals - maybe you should just focus on getting Valedictorian - set yourself apart from the get go
Could be worse, you could be going to Penn State thinking its a target school
Notre Dame grad here. We're a target at ever major bulge bracket bank... many ND grads go on to megafunds and top buyside brands
The alumni network is one of the strongest on the street
You will get the same opportunities as any other ivy (in some cases, more opportunities than some ivies less oriented to finance placements) to get into wall st
Like which ivies less oriented? Brown? Dartmouth?
You can only attend undergrad once (unless you are a psychopath and go for two BS/BA). That said, you will graduate from a top 20 university DEBT FREE. You are in a very lucky position that millions of students would like to be in. Don't let naysayers affect you.
If you need extra credentials, and you shouldn't, you can always apply to HYPSM's MA/MS, which are only 9-12 months in duration and hence are much, much cheaper than the usual 4 year bachelor's degree. You'll still be considered HYPSM alumni and get access to ugrad's on-campus recruiting.
Go to work for a couple of years, and you could consider an MBA from HSW/MBA business schools">M7/top 15. By that time no one cares about where you attend ugrad...
This is the problem with WSO and other forums. It’s an echo chamber that’s so disconnected from the real world that it can actually lead someone with a FULL RIDE at a top 20 undergraduate school to believe that they’ve massively screwed up everything.
OP, you’re in a fantastic position. Notre Dame is a great school with a strong alumni network and robust representation on Wall Street. Don’t doubt yourself for a second. A lot of the people who post on this forum are just trolls or 17 year olds who have never worked on Wall Street.
Here’s some advice: a bunch of people that are still in undergrad love to shit on schools, banks, majors, and professions that they don’t know anything about; don’t listen to them. ND is a good school and if you’re smart & scrappy you’ll find your way just fine.
Do they allow sex on campus yet
Nope
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