UC Berkeley Regents vs. UCLA vs. USC Marshall for IB
Hey guys. Looking to pursue a career in investment banking and/or consulting, though I'm more interested in IB M&A. I'm entering college this year. I got a Regents scholarship at UC Berkeley (top 0.8% of applicants get it, 4 yrs guaranteed housing, priority class registration, etc) but no merit scholarships at LA or USC Marshall, the UG biz school. LA I would be a Biz Econ major, which is Econ plus some management/acct classes. If I don't get into Haas, I'll be Econ, but I can still sign up for Haas classes. I live an hour from San Francisco, 6 hours from LA.
Ranking my fit into the social atmosphere: LA>USC>Berkeley.
Ranking the costs $$: USC ($24k/year)>LA ($9500/year)>Berkeley (FA office can't get my package to me by May 1, but it'll probably be the cheapest b/c of Regents scholarship benefits).
I'm not guaranteed into Haas, Berkeley's biz school, as I must apply soph year. This past year there was a 33% accept rate for Haas for Cal sophs. I'm very confident I can join the selective IB/consulting clubs at Cal (as I have connections and networked well with the clubs on Cal's preview day) and succeed academically to get into Haas. I'm aware Haas students place well into consulting, sort of into IB but obviously not as many as UMich Ross or the Ivies for IB.
I know there're several threads just like this for LA vs Cal vs SC, but they're 3-8 years old. I'd appreciate more recent insight.
So, how are IB/consulting opportunities at UCLA and/or USC? Is Haas/USC more preferable to employers than LA? Will employers even look at my resume if I'm a UCLA alum? Would I get more bang for my buck at Cal (bigger ROI)? I'd also appreciate any general feedback for my situation since college decision day, May 1, is coming up. Thanks.
If you can stand the campus environment for UCB, I would probably head there. Save some money each year with your scholarship. You're obviously a smart kid, so getting into Haas shouldn't be an issue. Haas students place very well into all of the SF banks.
USC & UCLA also do well, but remember that there are not many large offices in the LA area. That being said, the girls at USC are hot and slutty.
Edit: All of these schools will receive decent looks. UCLA & USC are very much so targets to the LA region. The network is amazing there.
Thanks for the reply. Can I ask how you know the Haas students place well into all of the SF banks? Also, do you know if USC's/UCLA's alumni networks (USC pushes their network down your throat) spread beyond SoCal?
Several UCB friends in the banking world. And many more of their friends as well. Also check LinkedIn... huge resource for you.
Yes they do, but nowhere near the same size as when you are in the area. The USC network from what I've observed is a bit stronger than UCLA's. Not that either are bad, but the people who go to USC seem to be more willing to help those from their alma matter (this comes from the words of people I know at each school). UCLA the people all love that school, but that drive to make it the best network around just isn't as strong.
When moving beyond SoCal, you will always have the resources available to you if you find alumni but they are heavily concentrated in CA. (Of course you'll find a group in NYC / Chicago / SF .. etc. but not as many)
I'm a USC alumnus, and conduct interviews at a large boutique. The best I can do is provide clarity on how I view these schools from a recruiting standpoint (as I've interviewed candidates from each), and lend you to make the decision on your own.
First off we can all agree, which college you go to matters. Lower tier colleges simply don't open up the same doors that that top tier colleges do.
From my recruiting* (and personal) *perspective, USC, UCLA, and Berkley are all in the same tier. I've interviewed amazing candidates and very... "underprepared".... candidates from each school. I also know very successful and unsuccessful alumni from each. Recruitment depends more how you carry yourself through the process and what story you tell on your resume. It is far more important to maintain a high GPA, and partake in extracurriculars that tell a story of over-achievement... than it is to bank on your college getting you in the door. You are the sum total of your own personal achievements and not the name of your school.
My personal opinion: Don't worry so much about splitting hairs with regards to your professional aspirations and your college choice, right now. I was a PreMed Bio student who was dead set on medical school 3 years back... I ended up pivoting into IB 2 years after graduation. USC, UCLA, and UCB are all great schools. Make your decision based upon which school you'll enjoy attending the most. College is very much an experience and should be treated as such.
Hi @Keyser Söze 123. I know I'll need to over-achieve and carry myself well to succeed in IB. I'm confident that I'm capable of doing so. Though, I am curious––My primary concern is the tier of LA, Cal Haas, or USC Marshall and if one opens more doors than the others.
Since they're the same tier to you, is it safe to say they open about the same amount of doors? I can still be hardworking and overachieving, but if interviewers, like yourself, don't regard these schools equally, unlike you, it may not even matter that I work hard. It's possible that a student just as hard-working (or less hard-working) lands the job I want because he came from a more preferable school, right? OK sorry, I think I'm becoming too theoretical or anecdotal.
Your hypothetical logic makes no sense, and is monkey shit worthy (I'll let it slide because you're young and I'm in a good mood).
It ALWAYS matters that you work hard. No one is ever guaranteed a lunch, and a lack of hard work is the easiest way to lose your mealticket (or have it taken by someone who wants it more).
When I went through recruitment I interviewed for the same role alongside Ivy League graduates... all of whom were far brighter than I was (or ever will be for that matter), but I out hustled them for the spot because I wanted it more than they did! I STOLE THEIR LUNCH!!! AND I'VE ENJOYED EVERY LAST BITE OF IT!!!
If you can get into DSP your 2nd, 3rd, or 4th semester at Berkeley that'll help a ton. If you get into Haas that will help a ton. If you manage both and maintain a 3.8+ you are on track to work at Goldman TMT, MS Tech, Leonard Green, TPG, and other really high quality opportunities. I know a lot of people at Cal and if you can manage to follow the straight and narrow all the way up, you'll have incredible offers.
Thank you! :)
Berkeley is a major target for the west coast. Opps there are clearly better than UCLA and USC. But agree that social life (and girls) at UCLA and USC are better. Choose what you think will fit you best.
Assuming you are a smart and driven person (sounds like you are), you should have no problems getting opps at UCLA and USC.
Thank you, sir.
Haas has the better name but you will also be facing much more competitions. SC is smaller than LA and Cal and therefore might give you a better chance to stand out. Just my 2 bps.
Ah, I have decided on Haas :)
Best of luck! I'm sure you will kill it.
Yeah there's more competition, but there are also more spots for a school like UC Berkeley. If you do some standard preparation, there shouldn't be any worries of securing an offer somewhere. I remember back in the days, there would be some people that would be at the on-campus recruiting center for 8 hours straight, interviewing at every bank. You should have plenty of opps.
"but there are also more spots for a school like UC Berkeley"
Just to clarify, does this mean more positions designated for Haas grads at companies?
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