Is UConn over UVA a bad idea??
Hey Monkeys...long time lurker but first time poster. I'm a Male, High School Senior and my college decision has come down to UVA or UConn. I'll be going for Finance which will hopefully help me land a job at a top IB working in the Securities, Merchant Banking, or Investment Banking division. Right now, the schools are about dead even for me as far as "feel". Since I'm from Connecticut, I can go to UConn debt free. If I go to UVA, it's going to require taking out about $25k in student loans. Aside from the debt, one of my main concerns with UVA is that you have to apply to McIntire during your 2nd year, so there's the chance I go there and can't major in Finance. I know UVA's a target school and UConn isn't even close, so is that advantage in OCR and prestige worth the debt and the risk of McIntire? Thank you so much!
You can msg me if you want an opinion from a UVA student.
If you want to maximize your chances of IBD, go UVA. Even UVA liberal arts would be better than UConn if you didn't get into the b school. Also, don't sell yourself short by worrying about not making it into McIntire before you even try. It's not that selective if you are already a UVA student, and will be the easy part on your path to IBD.
@WSO1212 Keep your ignorance to yourself and try to educate yourself a bit by doing some research. UConn is a top 20 ranked public school in the country and is still labeled as an "up and coming" university. I can understand how you gained this false perspective because UConn is x10 the university it was even 10 years ago and seeing drastic changes/improvements every year.
I am all for smart kids from schools like uconn hustling and making it to the street, but objectively, UVA will give OP a better chance. I didn't go to a target, but also i don't get salty when someone says as much. Is what it is and do the best with what you got.
Up and coming means jack shit if it's going to take several years for it to be recognized as a good school. Quick Figures I've pulled from LinkedIn for alumni working in BBs.
UVA: 608 GS - 110 MS - 92 JPM - 114 Citi - 132 BAML - 27 CS - 76 UBS - 33 Barclays - 24
UCONN: 368 GS - 26 MS - 87 JPM - 37 Citi - 98 BAML - 11 CS - 19 UBS - 77 Barclays - 15
UVA is a much stronger performer in recruitment evidently, particularly among GS / MS / JPM. I haven't delved into the figures to split FO / MO / BO roles but it's easy enough to take a look yourself. OP as said, if it's 25k overall I'd go UVA. If it's 25k per annum then I'd take UCONN. $100k of debt is too much of a risk.
@onmywayup, I sent you an email. Did you get it? Also, is everyone else is agreement with WSO1212?
@onmywayup, I sent you an email. Did you get it? Also, is everyone else is agreement with WSO1212?
You could go to UCONN for two years and transfer. Storrs is in the middle of nowhere, but UCONN basketball though...
^ UVA basketball is arguably better right now.
Well if we're deciding according to basketball, MSU > UVA. my boy Trice was stroking out there today
Ya
UVA no doubt. Work your butt off freshman year and get into the business school. This may be blunt so I apologize ahead of time, but if you are going to slack off to the extent you can't get in the business school, you probably are going to have a tough time getting into IBD/MB regardless of where you go.
As for the loan situation, do what you feel comfortable with. Plenty of kids go to school on student loans and still work on Wall Street and can pay their rent, it's just a little lower of a standard of living because you can't blow it all on food or alcohol. Also keep in mind that if you land internships during your summers, you can make 5-10k doing an IBD internship which helps soften the blow of taking out loans to get that internship.
UVA 100%, could be just me but haven't met any uconn grads in finance yet.
there are some around. not as represented as other schools but some do break in.
UVA
@PIKBIM, Oh don't worry, I'm looking for straight answers with no sugar coating. So you guys think that even if I like UConn slightly more overall, UVA for IB is the clear choice?
UVA hands down. Weather, girls, booze, awesome fraternity scene, Foxfield, etc. The fact that it's better for banking is just a bonus.
Coming from a curent UConn student, in todays job market a UVA degree in finance is probably a little more valuable because UConn is only finally getting serious recognition as a top tier state school. (mostly because they have shed their old reputation as a party school and because the number and prestige of students applying increases every year) But the University is growing and improving at an exceptional rate and in the future who knows where they will stand on a prestige scale. Every year more UConn grads are being offered jobs by firms on Wall Street.
Please don't spread misinformation. I have yet to come across a UConn grad in my experience. I've met several UVA kids. UConn may be an "up-and-coming" regional school according to Princeton Review, but that doesn't mean GS/MS/BAML/JPM are sending their recruiting teams to campus despite the "number and prestige of students" that attend.
UVA is the clear-cut choice here, even more so with the fact that it's only $25k of debt (unless you meant $25k per year, which makes this incrementally trickier, though I would still give the nod to UVA 99/100 times).
Candor, I am not spreading any misinformation here. I agree that today UVA is the clear choice here but in the future it might not be. You also misread the part of my reply where I said "number and prestige." I stated that the amount of kids applying to UConn undergrad is increasing every year and the academic prestige of the students applying is improving every year making it harder for applicants to be accepted. I also never mentioned anything about GS/BAML/MS/JPM or any other specific firm for that matter recruiting UConn grads directly out of college. I merely said that there are UConn graduates being offered jobs at firms on WS, whether it be IB's or FA's, because I personally know people and have friends who have been offered jobs and now work for those firms.
Can't believe this is even a debate...UVA hands down. As long as you can handle the debt whether it be $25k or $100k, it will pay for itself several times over during the course of your career.
UVA for sure. You can always major in Econ and take many classes at McIntire.
Also - How can you turn down TJ ?
OP;
If you want another honest opinion from a current UVA McIntire student, feel free to message me
OP;
If you want another honest opinion from a current UVA McIntire student, feel free to message me
Go to UVA. (I'm a UConn grad)
I'm going to provide a different opinion and say avoid the debt. If it was the same price for both obviously go UVA, but in this case I guess it depends on how much you think the debt is worth it.
@"WSO1212" First of all no need for the dipshit remark. Secondly, if you had read my other comments, you would see that I made it clear that I agree with everybody else for the most part that UVA is the better choice over UConn. And yes I was "salty" because I didn't like and didn't agree with a remark you made about my school. Forgive me but anybody would so the same. Regarding your experience with applications and colleagues, I very much understand that UVA has a wider presence on Wall Street than UConn because quite honestly UConn's business programs have been less than stellar up until the last 6-7 years and according to people I know who work on Wall Street, UConn is finally getting some recognition, whether you've seen it or not. (Unimportant note: one of my buddies who graduated from UConn a few years ago is currrently working as an analyst in the IB TD at Goldman Sachs.)
Hey dipshit, what did I say about your school that you didn't like or don't agree with? I didn't say anything about UConn in absolute terms; simply stated that relative to UVA, it will be harder to make it into IBD, which is just fact (and you later conceded).
25K a year or 25k over 4 years is the most important part here.
in general UVA > UConn any way you slice it.
UConn does send some kids to well known first (two from the Stamford campus went to well known alternative shops). Some go to FAP at GE then transition into GE equity, ventures, or AM. again, this is not the norm, but it does happen.
UVA, places better in general.
UVA is the clear winner here. In the 4 years you'll spend at UConn, it will absolutely not catch up to UVA in terms of prestige and recruiting desirability. 25k of loans can be paid off with your full-time signing bonus.
OP here. The debt would be $25k TOTAL. Any other opinions on the risk of not getting into McIntire?
25K total...go UVA.
done.
How did you make it into private equity as a high school senior? Could you do an AMA on that?
.
troll^
Signed, Non-target BB CEO
troll^
.
For 25K this is a no brainer. UVA is worth every penny. I went to a crap school and had no trouble paying off 25k in loans with my non-prestigious back office job. Go to UVA and don't look back-you'll see plenty of doors open.
Go to UVA (even without McIntire). This is an easy one.
OP, it seems like you're leaning towards UVA. If for whatever reason you decide to attend UConn, know that you'll have to be on top of your game sophomore and junior years to get the junior SA internship. The School of Business culture will be less focused on IB analyst programs than McIntire, and you'll have to take more initiative. If you're IB or bust and care little about other factors, then UVA would be the higher percentage play. Some people would prefer the UConn environment though (more outdoorsy and athletic) if the southern, preppy culture isn't their thing. It really depends on your priorities and expectations.
Academically and career wise I'm leaning UVA, but UConn offers a lot of other aspects so I don't have a decision made yet. When you speak of the School of Business's culture at UConn, what exactly is it like? @"Husky32"
I'll send you a PM
.
There's your answer, OP.
Don't listen to these idiots trying to make themselves feel better about not getting into a better school. The numbers point UVA but even they downplay the magnitude of the gap - the average UVA student is in IBD, etc and the average Uconn one is in middle office.
Harsh reality but it's the truth. It is irrelevant what is "up and coming" or not. All that matters is that your odds are significantly better of you getting a good job from there. UVA also has a very strong / loyal alumni network with a strong buy side presence too. And just FYI, I went to a school slightly below UVA recruiting-wise so wouldn't consider myself to be biased.
UVA hands down if your total debt is only $25k
If you go UConn you're dead to me
Just kidding
But seriously
Full disclosure:
I got into Emory and a bunch of non-targets. I chose a non-target due to a relatively small amount of debt (50k) I would have to take on at Emory vs. no debt at non-target. I have had to work so incredibly hard to get firms to even look at me, it's ridiculous. I will forever regret the decision of passing on Emory.
Moral of the story: This is your best (maybe your only) chance of going to fantastic school. This will open SO many doors for you. You will sign up for a life of ease, pampering, and excellent recruiting vs. a life of struggle and hardship.
Wow, thanks "TravelBonobo" for sharing. I'm really leaning UVA now but I've yet to get my Financial Aid package back. The $25k total debt is just an estimate using their net price calculator, it could be more or less. So how much debt do you think would be a max I should take on for UVA over UConn?
I think up to ~50k it's an obvious choice that you should take UVA.
Your first year out of college you could end up making literally ~50k more than a "regular" job and pay off the loan within ~1 year.
If it's more than 50k I would need more info on you as a student, your personality, etc. to make an informed decision.
It's definitely not going to be 50k. On the high side it would be 40k, so it looks like UVA has the clear edge.
UVA for sure. 25k of debt isn't that bad. If it was over 100k or you were paying 50k+ a year vs 0 at UCONN that would be different. UVA will open up a ton of doors for you, UCONN will make it more difficult. Plus I always think its good to go to college away from home. It broadens your horizons and makes you less dependent on your parents. Even if you live on campus you'll still end up going home, seeing old friends, etc. Submit that deposit for UVA and don't look back.
.
I don't entirely disagree. There are some cases where even more debt could be worth it. Usually thought I would only take on the full 4 years of debt for a truly elite school. UVA is good, but its not a HYP type of school.
I don't know much about UCONN, but I'm sure the OP could hustle and end up in a good job. 200k of debt + interest is a pretty heavy load, especially if the OP could end up at a Deloitte or Bank of America. UCONN is a huge school and if the OP excelled and networked hard, I'm sure there are some UCONN alums that could help him out.
I would still just do UVA at the end of the day though.
Am I the only one who thought this was about March Madness? I'm like oh UCONN over UVA is a risky call. Oh wait UVA is playing Michigan State and UCONN missed the tournament.
I went to Tufts at 100k debt over Uconn, didn't regret my choice then, don't regret my choice now. "Up and Cumming" is great but what you need a solidified image. A school that is perceived by others to be better can give you a brand that is very hard to replicate at that age otherwise.
UVA over UConn definitely.
Despite them royally screwing up my bracket (had them going to the championship game...)
I am a current Uconn Student, and can vouch that our finance program is significantly better, and we have bb firms who actively recruit here. Not to mention, we are closer in vicinity to Manhattan and Stamford (UBS, RBS). Uconn is also a better school academically.
In addition, I landed offers at multiple BB's as a Uconn Student.
UVA over UConn in a heartbeat. It is laughable that people actually think UConn has an advantage for finance/consulting. This is like comparing Georgetown to UMiami; entirely different caliber.
.
I am a mid-2000s UCONN graduate so I'll throw in my 2 cents. I'll try to touch on a bit of everything that was mentioned previously and then get to the OP question. Based on my experience the top 5% of Uconn business school grads can compete with the target schools in terms of talent; however, as many mentioned before even if you are in the top of the class it is still going to be more of a battle than coming from a target. While the finance program continues to improve, the curriculum largely ignores banking, PE, and ER, and tends to focus around the development of middle management types and places to firms like GE, Traveler's, UTC, etc. This skew makes sense given that only a modest portion of my fellow classmates displayed an inclination to pursue IBD or some form of Asset Management and curriculum tends to cater to the masses. I believe Uconn will continue to move up the public school ranks as they elevate their admission standards and expand the ever-improving curriculum, but this is going to be measured over years and possibly decades.
Personally, I ended up landing a gig in MM PE, so it is possible, but it wasn't easy and I found myself doing a lot of gut checks post graduation wondering if a FO role was ever going to materialize. Fortunately, I gained some good hands-on asset management experience while on the Student Managed Fund and then almost immediately enrolled in the CFA program post graduation to further shore up my resume, which certainly helped my candidacy. Similarly, all of my classmates who ended up on the buy-side put in a monumental effort to get there, but they DID ultimately get there.
Punch-line is this: I would choose UVA + $25k debt over Uconn + no debt and not think twice. My personal inflection point would be somewhere around $75 - 100k because a top performer out of Uconn can get into a top 10 MBA and I would rather save the money to put towards that endeavor.
I hope this helps. Feel free to PM me and I can get into the nitty gritty with you. Good luck.
The problem with UConn, is that up until the last 6 or 7 years, it hasn't had a strong business school at all, but over the last decade to half-a-decade, it has really made tremendous "strides" in terms of undergrad placement, hiring of top professors, and great increase in admission standards. About 20 years ago, coming across a UConn grad on Wall Street would be a once in a blue moon occasion, now you see them more often than not. I didn't attend nor did I graduate from UConn, but I do know of these "strides" their BS is making due to colleagues who are alumni. My guess is it's probably because of there current President they hired from Duke about 5 or 6 years ago who I have been told is changing the culture of that school drastically.
Bottom line is, if you want to go with UVA where it already has a well solidified reputation in the Investment Banking community and on Wall Street in general than go for it, but if you want to go with UConn where you can save money at a school that is still trending upward in terms of respectability, theres something to be said for that too. Good Luck!
Go to UVA. Even science says so
http://faculty.wwu.edu/kriegj/Econ406/Papers/Hoxby.pdf
Just look at Linkedin - more UVA grads in IB/PE than UConn but you can get there from both places.
Alias qui in atque libero explicabo. Qui velit quia aliquid nisi repellendus iusto officiis nisi. Corporis possimus placeat praesentium. Possimus omnis quo velit.
Quod ut velit esse cumque. Deleniti iure sint nam.
Nihil voluptas cupiditate adipisci fugit culpa. Mollitia veniam alias et nihil animi magnam. Eos voluptatem harum provident.
Consectetur quasi qui hic sequi assumenda sunt autem quod. Aut dolores exercitationem nihil autem. Et doloribus voluptatem facilis rem et deserunt mollitia.
See All Comments - 100% Free
WSO depends on everyone being able to pitch in when they know something. Unlock with your email and get bonus: 6 financial modeling lessons free ($199 value)
or Unlock with your social account...
Consequatur pariatur sit aut aut repellat. Eum voluptas in repellat beatae distinctio necessitatibus quaerat.
Inventore aut ipsam deserunt. Qui facere et ut sequi maxime omnis. Quisquam error ut minus minus excepturi provident placeat quo.
Cupiditate consequatur quaerat aut quia eum libero vero. Delectus esse qui consequuntur et. Modi officia omnis iste consequatur hic aperiam dolorem eaque.
Qui eos vel et sunt. Incidunt saepe corrupti fugit qui explicabo quidem doloribus. Qui quae aut aliquid beatae autem. Et earum corrupti et. Velit nesciunt expedita cum nam in magni autem.
Est et repudiandae veniam placeat. Perspiciatis alias labore sint et. Pariatur aliquam dignissimos neque illo minus. Error reiciendis totam esse ducimus. Optio velit voluptatem labore labore.