Stay at UVA or Transfer?
I am not set on finance at all, it is definitely a very intriguing career but I also want to leave the possibility of law school/phd. I know UVA has good placement but I am considering transferring because of fit and possibly doing global development/sustainable economics, which UVA doesn't have. Schools I am considering are Northwestern, Columbia, Cornell, Dartmouth, Penn CAS, and Georgetown SFS. Is there any major boost in placement with these transfers that justifies the move (I understand the major changes in academics)? What are your thoughts on this?
Edit: Is there a downside to transferring for ib recruiting? Like does it make networking harder since you join a year later or since they are all targets it should be fine?
Are you a VA resident? If so, the only school that wouldn’t be worth the cost is Georgetown.
No, I'm not a resident. Thanks
As someone who did not go to Georgetown but has worked in NYC for the past 7 years, it places much better than Northwestern in NYC. Northwestern is much better for consulting while GT feeds heavily into IBD. I'd take GT over Northwestern any day of the week for undergrad. I know Kellogg is Kellogg but that doesn't really translate to undergrad.
If you're not sold on finance, I would definitely shoot out those transfer applications. UVA is an amazing school, particularly for business, law, and some humanities, but beyond that I think you'd have a better time at any of the schools you listed. They are also all t14 law schools and t15 b-schools (minus GU on the MBA side), so the same can be said about them.
As far as IB: you'd have the same recruiting opportunities, experience, and likelihood of success at Dartmouth, Penn CAS, and GU as you would at UVA shooting for a EB/BB role in NYC. Columbia and Cornell would be materially better (volume of placements is better, representation is better, buyside network is better). NU is an amazing school but would be a step back/downwards if you're going for IB and solely that.
From a culture POV... UVA is definitely a very specific fit. NU, Columbia, Cornell, Penn, and GU would all be much more diverse, arguably leading to a more well-rounded and enjoyable experience (unless you are the kind of person who thrives at schools like Dartmouth, UVA, Duke, etc.)
I'd say shoot the applications out and see what sticks, from there you have a more important decision to make.
I'm also assuming you're talking about transferring as a sophomore, right? If you're transferring in as a junior you should have, in most cases, already signed with an investment bank for junior summer.
thanks so much, I would be transferring in as a sophomore, do you think just the transfer process in general will affect my IB recruiting or will it not matter?
nah you should be fine. Information sessions are held in the fall and winter; you’ll also have time to recruit for and join any clubs (but just know they’re never mandatory at schools like this for success).
You should network with alumni after the New Years as recruiting season kicks in, your first semester as a soph will be entirely up to you; no pressure. I would highly recommend trying to do a boutique or search fund internship before spring semester of soph year however, so your story is right and you have some relevant xp
When you’re at an undergrad institution of UVA’s caliber, there’s no excuse or reason to go to law school (former lawyer here). You have so many better options if you do the bare minimum of schoolwork/networking.
also if you’re interested in a PhD, you got to specify if it is humanities or STEM. The former has near zero prospects.
would you say going to eb/bb would be better than a top law school? Also what should I be aiming to get out of UVA? Should I try for buy side bc of the HF connections?
For a PhD I was thinking economics or a mix of international relations and econ, something to prep me for IMF/World Bank career.
Much better than a top law school; no question. Less time and tuition lost, more skills and experience gained.
unsure what to go for specifically, other than a role that will give you skills and exit ops.
you don’t need a PhD for imf type roles. Most of the govt/ngo/policy world hiring is driven by connections and nepotism
Only really worth it if you can get into columbia/dartmouth imo
So you’re saying you wouldn’t transfer to Penn if you were at Virginia and were out of state? That is ridiculous.
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