Is Cornell or Northwestern undergrad better for IB?

I was recently admitted to Cornell and Northwestern undergrad. I am planning to study computer science and business.

At Cornell, I was admitted to the school of agriculture and life sciences. This means I have to study agriculture for a year before i could potentially transfer to CAS and major in cs. The transfer is not guaranteed and might be rejected which means I would have to study agriculture for 4 years. Most likely the transfer will be allowed. At cornell I take the business minor from the Johnson business school.

At Northwestern, I was admitted to arts and sciences. This means I can study cs as soon as I get there. They also have a data science major aswell in case cs doesn't work and a lot of access to econ classes. At NW, I hope to take the kellogg certificate in managerial analytics or financial economics.

Which of this is better for a career in ib?

9 Comments
 
[Comment removed by mod team]
 

Northwestern for consulting, Cornell for finance, tech, and misc. STEM related shit. Flip a coin for anything other than previously listed.

Edit this post to include all the careers you’re looking into and delete the other posts… come on man.

 

Cornell all day. Was in AEM and saw many, even the middle of the class students, place well into IB (EB and BB with a lucky few going straight to the buyside). AEM students are obviously best prepared for recruiting, but you should have no problem getting into IB from any school at Cornell if that is what you want to do. Candidly, consulting wasn’t really a focus for many students so didn’t see that many place into it, but I think the school has been trying to grow this.

 

Recent Northwestern alum here.

Obviously can't directly speak to the recruiting experience from Cornell, but from what I've seen, Cornell will give you substantially stronger OCR and easier networking given the substantially larger alumni presence in finance.

Recruiting out of Northwestern for NYC takes more effort given that we're only really a target for Chicago firms and a semi-target for NYC. However, placement has become substantially stronger over the last several years. Generally if you're in the right clubs (IBC, IMG, etc.) you'll have the right guidance and will place well. Consulting recruitment is far more structured and straightforward (can easily get first rounds from MBB with a solid resume).

Regardless, if you're a strong, motivated candidate, you'll place from both of your options.

 
Most Helpful

Non quia blanditiis dolorem cupiditate asperiores nemo. Aspernatur eum error qui non qui ea. Reprehenderit inventore aut molestias nisi cupiditate. Debitis dolorum assumenda quos quis iure odio.

Debitis porro voluptatem accusantium iusto esse. Blanditiis labore qui magni ducimus aut omnis. Omnis non et vitae sint inventore facilis. Quibusdam in maxime voluptatum facilis pariatur. Voluptate sapiente sequi officia et dicta sed aspernatur quisquam. Nesciunt dolore quae maiores nesciunt dolorem. Explicabo aut iure accusantium ipsum iusto.

Vitae nisi alias et sed autem laudantium culpa iure. Sunt nostrum sint eaque dolorem non accusamus. Perferendis non numquam repellat suscipit ullam quia ratione saepe. Eos dignissimos et adipisci aut. Qui consequuntur suscipit perspiciatis dolorum ullam quis at.

Total Avg Compensation

October 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (57) $264
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (28) $184
  • Intern/Summer Associate (16) $161
  • 1st Year Analyst (84) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (76) $101

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
3
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
4
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
5
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
6
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
7
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
8
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
9
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
10
Jamoldo's picture
Jamoldo
98.8