Should I choose a college for prestige or student life? (Fordham Vs Syracuse)

Hi I'm a high school senior interested in working in high finance particularly a buy side position on Wall Street I have currently narrowed my college list down to Fordham(Gabelli) & Syracuse(Whitman). I know both are non targets but I am grateful to have received at 10.5k merit scholarship per yr from Fordham which comparatively has the better program and job opportunities/job outcomes. But I'm not fully sold due to there being a smaller and more low key social scene on campus. Student life and having fun is important to me because I want to enjoy college, you only go once. Which is why I have Syracuse in my list which doesn't really have that great of program but has an incredible tight knit community plus really good students organizations and sports. So I'm directing this to a person in FO IB/Consulting or any one currently in a buyside position but others with industry knowledge are welcome to respond, if you were in my shoes as a person wanting to work in a buyside position would you want to go somewhere you may have better job opportunities but may not have as much fun or have fun but may not have the career locked down. Thanks and any further insight would be appreciated.

 

Fordham hands down. Both aren't great for IB but I know some folks who got solid Big 4 accounting/consulting gigs there. Network well, keep grinding, etc. Take advantage of the location. And as far as a social scene?? You are in the middle of NYC. No way you can't get solid nightlife there... Columbia frats, bars, you name it. Sure Syracuse has sports but is that a big priority? If not, easy choice. 

 

Thanks for your insightful comment I should mention that I am leaning towards Fordham due to the career oppoiunites and I am aware that nightlife at NYC is incredible but Fordham being a Jesuit institution I was not sure how that affected the quality of social life so I may just have to look off campus for fun.

 

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