Transfer to Northeastern University or stay at Fordham University? (finance major interested in corporate real estate)
I recently completed my sophomore year at Fordham University and will be entering my junior year in September. I have an interest in real estate and would like to break into corporate real estate (firms or REITS such as Starwood Capital Group, Cushman & Wakefield Capital Markets, Vornado, Tishman Speyer, or maybe even KKR, given that they established a new real estate division last March). I’d like to start off as an Acquisitions Analyst in corporate real estate after graduation (May 2018), however, I have had doubts about how well Fordham University is/will be for me to break into the industry–especially since it’s considered a non-target school.
I applied for transfer this spring, but unfortunately, I was wait-listed and then rejected from my top two choices (Georgetown & UVA McIntire). I am now deciding between transferring to Northeastern University’s D’Amore-McKim School of Business (Boston), or staying at Fordham University’s Gabelli School of Business (NYC–Bronx).
Would you be able to provide some insight on what you think would be the better decision if I want to break into corporate real estate as an acquisitions analyst for a top firm such as Starwood Capital Group, CIM Group, Tishman Speyer etc.)
Here is some info that might be relevant:
-Tuition is around the same for both (Northeastern is slightly more expensive by a few thousand).
-My overall GPA is 3.46 and my Major GPA is a 3.74 (Finance major). At Northeastern my GPA would ‘reset’ and would start off from scratch.
– I would have to stay an extra semester to complete a finance co-op if I transferred to Northeastern
-Northeastern is ranked higher by US News & Bloomberg than Fordham (If that makes any difference?)
-Northeastern=Boston, Fordham=NYC
Thank you everyone in advance for all your help!
Just on GPA: If your GPA would reset then consider how many easy courses you have taken already. As someone who graduated college I know you can front load easy electives if you did not declare a major as a freshman. If you took all electives early then it would most likely hurt your GPA if you transferred to NE and have to take all core courses. and only have electives count toward your credit hours and not GPA.
IMO Fordham is a better school(I am biased), I went to Prep and U.(transferred). You cannot beat the alumni base in NYC, and Fordham grads do help alumni. I got hired at my first job because(in part) the hiring manager went to Fordham. I had a friend who went to NE and the campus life is also better at Fordham.
At the end of the day no top tier firms are really recruiting at Fordham and Northeastern. The biggest name I can remember from career fair was Legg Mason and Franklin Templeton. You WILL have to network yourself and this can best be done using your alumni database of which Fordham has in its library for free. Also can't beat BX for food, pizza(Pugslies) and the local bars(don't get robbed).
If you were an upcoming freshman I would say Northeastern would be the better choice between the two. It's reputation is quickly rising and it's Co op program is excellent. Top students receive offers from top-tier firms in the Boston area, and a decent amount even break into BB's and other top finance firms in NYC despite it being what many consider a non-target.
However, as a transfer student it might not be worth it to transfer. You won't necessarily get the full benefits of the Co-op system if you are only there for 2 years or so. Fordham does have a slightly better NYC alumni network so if these firms you want to break into are based heavily in NYC then that would be a good reason to stay.
Also, do you currently like your college life at Fordham? That is another factor you should consider.
Thanks for the answer! And in regards to the last question, that was one reason why I applied for transfer--I'm not entirely content with my college life at Fordham.
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