McCombs vs Mendoza Undergrad

Hey everyone, I've waited until the last weekend before committing to an undergrad school to make this choice, but I could really use help deciding between UT Austin and Notre Dame for a possible business degree. I've seen the question before on this forum, and people seem to think the McCombs experience is better, but I've got some extra details making the choice a bit tougher.

So I didn't apply to either business school, and that complicates things: Notre Dame seems to give way more academic freedom to switch majors even with the new extra application to Mendoza; at UT I'm admitted as Plan II Honors Undeclared, and to get into McCombs would mean trying to hold a 3.9 GPA to internally transfer (but really it'd just be adding business as a second major which is standard for P2). UT makes it hard to move around, and I'm a bit uncomfortable betting on getting in to business considering Plan II is a tough program and the city can be distracting to hold a 3.9. Also it's extremely unlikely I would get into BHP.

Obviously the cultures wildly different, which gets brought up whenever ND is in the picture- I prefer UT's, but think I could easily get by at ND so I'm trying not to weigh this part of the choice too much. I do hate this Texas heat though, and think a change in environment would be personally helpful for ~growth~. Another factor that I'm not considering much but still should be mentioned is cost: UT would mean no loans; ND would be ~30k total (which really is doable and I'm ok with).

Besides chance of even getting to study business, regionality is really the big concern for me. After graduation I definitely want to move to either NYC or anywhere on the west coast. Neither school is Wharton level, of course, but it does seem like ND would have the edge there with its alumni network; McCombs really seems to keep people in Texas from what I can tell. If UT means settling down in Houston I'm ready to run straight for Notre Dame now.

Will one school help more than the other after graduation? Which one has a better rep on the coasts? What would y'all choose? I really appreciate any feedback, thanks a ton!

 
Best Response

Yeah, it seems like McCombs is the place to be if I could get in. But you're right in that it's really tough betting on that internal transfer. 3.9 GPA with Plan II classes and 2 semesters of calc/econ? Its hard to count on getting only one or two B's...

Though I really don't know how competetive Mendoza transfers are either. With the new policy I can't imagine its a cakewalk. For all I know there could be a 3.9 average there too! Here's hoping I can get a response on that from the AO by tomorrow night...

 
zwalsdorf:
Yeah, it seems like McCombs is the place to be if I could get in. But you're right in that it's really tough betting on that internal transfer. 3.9 GPA with Plan II classes and 2 semesters of calc/econ? Its hard to count on getting only one or two B's...

Though I really don't know how competetive Mendoza transfers are either. With the new policy I can't imagine its a cakewalk. For all I know there could be a 3.9 average there too! Here's hoping I can get a response on that from the AO by tomorrow night...

Although the average was 3.9 for internal transfers in 2017, I'm inclined to believe that the requirement for someone such as yourself in P2 is lower, given the heightened difficulty of your classes. If I were you, I'd go for it. You seem like a very intelligent individual. Don't doubt yourself!

 

Go with the place you would go to assuming you can't transfer into the business school. Obviously bust your ass to get in, but that's outside your control. Besides, saying you'll have a 3.9 and actually getting it are two ENTIRELY different things.

"Even if you're on the right track, you'll get run over if you just sit there" - Will Rogers
 

Magnam qui earum odio quibusdam aut harum aperiam. Autem quae animi dolore. Accusantium cum molestiae quos. Perspiciatis iste et laborum quia unde. Iste dignissimos nobis et accusamus itaque. Accusamus est dolorem ullam provident.

Consequuntur aspernatur sed sed voluptatem. Totam molestiae quis natus quos asperiores rerum enim. Ipsam aut occaecati similique quidem officia sed neque.

Deleniti nobis hic unde repellendus in qui qui nihil. Vel cum voluptatem et fugit cum. Et natus excepturi distinctio sint deleniti distinctio dolores. Animi vel quia omnis facilis enim. Laboriosam et et quae aut quod.

Voluptate vero iusto quo doloribus nemo nihil magnam. Velit fugit quae reprehenderit odit eligendi ex. Impedit aut officia neque.

Career Advancement Opportunities

March 2024 Investment Banking

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

Overall Employee Satisfaction

March 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

March 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

March 2024 Investment Banking

  • Director/MD (5) $648
  • Vice President (19) $385
  • Associates (86) $261
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (13) $181
  • Intern/Summer Associate (33) $170
  • 2nd Year Analyst (66) $168
  • 1st Year Analyst (202) $159
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (144) $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
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
3
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
99.0
4
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
5
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
6
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
7
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
8
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
9
kanon's picture
kanon
98.9
10
numi's picture
numi
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...”