Middlebury vs University of Washington

Hello Everyone,

I am currently a high school senior, graduating this spring. After a long application process, I was accepted at a few schools. Although I was wait listed at some targets, I have been accepted at the University of Washington (my flagship state school) and Middlebury College in Vermont. I am interested in working in investment banking or management consulting after graduation (I know, not very unique). While I realize that neither of these schools are targets, which one should I attend in order to boost my chances of SA and FT jobs?

Initially I thought Middlebury, because it is part of the NESCAC and closer to NYC/Boston, as well as being generally more selective and prestigious. However, after chatting with alumni and looking at the website, I am worried that too many of the students there will want to go build schools in Laos or something after graduation/during summers, rather than networking and working at a BB. This is potentially concerning, because I want to be around other like-minded people who share my interests in the financial markets and business, and help with case interview prep, and things like that.

Also, I was accepted for February admission to Middlebury. Could this potentially complicate recruiting?

Thanks in advance for your insight, Monkeys!

Update: Today I found out that I have been accepted to the Honors program at UW. Also, I received a scholarship that covers tuition for all four years, as well as $8k towards room/board/textbooks spread over the next two years. In addition, transportation costs there would be nonexistent, because I live a few hours away from the campus. I haven't ruled out Middlebury, but it would be difficult for me to pass up such an attractive proposition. Thoughts?

Also, what about being a Feb? How would that affect recruiting and summer internships?

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Middlebury. Better name, more alumni. UDub is fun and great for work in the PNW, I spent a number of years in the Sea-Tac area, but doesn't necessarily transfer well to NYC. I'm a big believer that personal hustle makes most things in life happen, so you can get where you want from either, but it will probably be more plausible from Middlebury.

 

So, what would my chances be trying to break into IBD from Midd? Just trying to gauge how much of a target/semi-target it is.

Use more debt than your competition or get out of the business. Any other policy is either self-limiting, no-win, or a bet that the competition will go bankrupt before they displace you. - Bruce Henderson
 

You are definitely right that UW is a great school if you want to be in middle management at Boeing or Microsoft. How do you think Middlebury is perceived by IB recruiters?

Use more debt than your competition or get out of the business. Any other policy is either self-limiting, no-win, or a bet that the competition will go bankrupt before they displace you. - Bruce Henderson
 

I think Middlebury is held in high regard by IB recruiters. Finance places a high value on pedigree, and middlebury is one of the best/most selective LAC's in the country.

I have a tender spot in my heart for cripples, bastards, and broken things
 
Best Response

IB? Become a Midd Kid. In addition to plenty of bankers being from Midd, you'll probably also meet plenty of banker offspring/siblings there. Better networking as well (small school, NE, etc.)

Plus you'll probably be more challenged academically. This is not a shout out against UW (which will be bigger, have more resources etc) but I'm sure you would find it tougher to coast at Midd (small classes, intense, more involvement needed) than at UW (where you could coast by in huge lecture classes).

My 2 cents. Good Luck

I used to do Asia-Pacific PE (kind of like FoF). Now I do something else but happy to try and answer questions on that stuff.
 

Thanks, @Jamoldo. How is OCR at Midd? I have been collecting recruiting info for a bunch of banks and AM firms, and Middlebury never comes up on their list of target schools. That said, neither does UW.

Use more debt than your competition or get out of the business. Any other policy is either self-limiting, no-win, or a bet that the competition will go bankrupt before they displace you. - Bruce Henderson
 

Middlebury will give you a better shot at IB (and I'd guess consulting) by far but you better be sure that you want that route because if you go to Middlebury and take so many bong hits that you end up wanting to build huts in Laos, you'll end up with a butt load of loans (I'm assuming your parents aren't floating the entire bill if the scholarship offer factors in) and no real way to pay it back vs UW and no debt, where you can still go and build huts in Laos.

 

@Dingdong08 Yeah, it sounds like I will be able to graduate debt-free (or minimal debt). Also, I doubt I will get interested in that hippy shit. Thanks for your insight.

Use more debt than your competition or get out of the business. Any other policy is either self-limiting, no-win, or a bet that the competition will go bankrupt before they displace you. - Bruce Henderson
 

Yes, I have an account on that site as well. Just wanted to consult WSO, because I think people on this forum are more knowledgeable.

Use more debt than your competition or get out of the business. Any other policy is either self-limiting, no-win, or a bet that the competition will go bankrupt before they displace you. - Bruce Henderson
 

Middlebury for sure - when I was in college (which admittedly was awhile ago) they had a pretty legit investment club, they place pretty well into IB and consulting. Even if firms don't come to campus all the time, the network is there.

Life, liberty and the pursuit of Starwood Points
 

Cool, I saw on their website that they have OCR from Goldman, Citigroup and Morgan Stanley, as well as a few hedge funds and consulting firms (non MBB unfortunately). I also talked to our tour guide when I visited who is interning at GS, and he also said DB recruited there, although I don't see it on the career events calendar. I'm just trying to gauge how good a school it is for IB. Obviously better than UW, but ..... what would be some schools comparable to it? I would like to know how much of an uphill climb it will be.

Use more debt than your competition or get out of the business. Any other policy is either self-limiting, no-win, or a bet that the competition will go bankrupt before they displace you. - Bruce Henderson
 

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Use more debt than your competition or get out of the business. Any other policy is either self-limiting, no-win, or a bet that the competition will go bankrupt before they displace you. - Bruce Henderson

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