Picking between LACs or Uni for Undergrad Degree
Hello everyone! Good day or evening to you all depending upon what time zone you're in.
I am a prospective monkey as the title of my post implies. By way of background, I am an international student from the subcontinent who recently got admitted to a few schools in the US. My goal is to get a job in IBD at a BB or a top Middle Market firm after undergraduate.
I got into the following schools: Macalester/Bates/Colgate/Grinnell/UCLA/USC/UMichigan/NYU. Macalester/Bates/Colgate/Grinnell have offered me roughly the same level of scholarship and assistance (70-75%). This is big for me as my parents are not wealthy enough to pay for 4 years of education. Your traditional universities (UCLA/USC/UMichigan/NYU) have offered me none so I'll have to take out a huge loan but I could be convinced to take it on if pros / cons warrant it.
I am hoping that some experienced guys on this forum can share any thoughts on how should I be thinking about my schools given my short term goal of doing banking. I have alumnus from my boarding school at each of these institutions, but I want an objective view (hence WSO) as no one likes to bash their institution. In addition, I also did a comprehensive LinkedIn search, and have found that there are folks like me (int'l students) who attended each of these institutions and that are doing very well for themselves (banking + investing); though at the risk of antagonizing someone here, I will venture out to say that on average most econ / finance / business graduates from LAC that I came across on LinkedIn seemed to have much better job placement (as a overall percentage of those pursuing a certain "major") vs. those at your traditional universities (of course not including IVYs and the targets). This made me think that perhaps alumni network is stronger and cohesive at LACs.... Please don't get angry as I have no intention to offend anyone here.
Can someone please elucidate me? Thank you so much in advance. I will be much grateful.
UCLA, USC (for Cali), UMich, and NYU (if Stern) are better than most other schools on that list.
That said, student loans SUCK, and you can make it from some of these other schools. I would personally go for Colgate.
Thank you for your response. Yes, I am not really keen on taking out a huge loan given the uncertainty of the job market for international students in the US. I don't have an offer from Stern or Ross. That said, I do plan on attending a top 5 US business school in 3/4 years, and expect it to compensate for my undergrad's brand name (this only holds true if I go to a LAC since these schools are not known globally)
Otherwise, I am location agnostic. More concerned with the overall fit (unfortunately I can't visit campuses as that will cost me at least $5K given where I am located).
Why would you go for Colgate? Also, for those of you who attended a LAC, is the college feel different if you go to a East Coast based one vs. one in the Midwest (Mac,Grinnell).
Just anecdotally, I think Colgate is a pretty respected LAC (moreso than a few of the others). Also, assuming you want to work in NY, I really recommend going to an east coast school. The fact that you have a squash scholarship makes it even more enticing, and it’s fun to be on a sports team in college.
Sorry for a double post, but should also add that I have squash scholarships from Colgate and Bates. This will add some pressure on me, which I am ok with, but having played squash now for the last 10 years at the highest level (World Open Junior, British Open Junior), I want to relax a bit and just enjoy college....
hi - does anyone else have a different point of view?
Can't make an objective decision for you, but I will just add that I currently attend a LAC semi-target and the alumni base is extremely loyal and helpful. I was even able to get a meeting with a partner at a top BB/EB because he was an alum from my school.
And for your comment about midwest vs east coast, you really need to decide if you want to be located in New York or Chicago. If you go to a school like Michigan you will easily be able to find jobs in New York, but I doubt grinnell has a very large presence in New York
As somebody that went to a Midwest LAC, absolutely do not go to Mac or Grinnell - my school was better ranked and more well known than both and recruiting out of there was an absolute shitshow.
Don't really know what Bates's rep / presence is on the street, but being East Coast based could help. Seen a couple of Colgate grads around, they seem to place alright and from what I've seen that seems like the best option you have for finance if you want to go to a LAC.
All the traditional universities on the list would probably be better if cost weren't an issue. But given that cost is a consideration, I'd go with Colgate - you have the squash scholarships and IMO it's the best LAC for finance out of the four you listed.
I believe Barclays still recruits on campus at Colgate, also Colgate has a great social life.
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