UMich LSA Major w/ Ross MIB vs UT McCombs vs Indiana Kelley
Good Morning!
I am an incoming freshman and I am deciding between going to UMich LSA as an econ major (with the possibility of minoring in business from Ross), UT McCombs (with the possibility of sophomore transfer to BHP), and Indiana Kelley plus honors (with the possibility of getting into their investment banking workshop).
I am aiming to go into private equity, but as it is difficult to do so right after undergrad, I am also aiming for investment banking as a precursor.
I am aiming for firms in NYC or east in general.
I would like an opinion without considering costs and another opinion considering costs.
Additional information =>
UMich:
I cannot apply to Ross again as I was rejected, but for context on LSA vs Ross in terms of recruiting, there is a thread titled: UMICH: LSA Econ Vs Ross under the investment banking forum (sorry I can't paste the link as I'm new). But to sum it up, if I don't get into the Ross business minor, I won't have access to Ross alumni database (but some say linkedin can compensate and is better for networking but I don't know about this) and Ross-specific online platforms run by the career center for recruiting and interviews (LSA will have their own online platforms). I can still take Ross courses. The business minor gives you most of access that a Ross major would for the online platforms and resources. If I talk to Ross friends about networking sessions that are coming up, and keep ties with recruiters (they understand you do not have access to the Ross online materials), I should not have a problem getting recruited.
I am open to looking into other majors aside from econ under LSA, specifically data science (they have a really good program) or mathematics. I just want to know which major would be the most strategic for my career plans. Am pointing this out just because some are saying recruiters are looking for "critical thinking" majors such as physics majors so I wanted to know how true this statement is and what it means in the context of my college choices.
LSA GPA is not inflated compared to Ross (A+ in Ross is 4.4/4). Maybe the hardest of three options to maintain a good GPA.
If I do get accepted into the business minor, then I get access to most of Ross services. Again for the differences on LSA plus Ross minor vs Ross refer to above link.
I like UMich community the most and I prefer out of state. However, I want to be pragmatic in the context of my career goals.
Risk that I don't get into Ross business minor
UT:
If I want to work in Texas, UT is the best choice
BHP program is very good, but risk I may not get in when transferring
Not too hard to get a good GPA (3.9+) per alumni opinions
Austin is a great city in terms of IT. Not sure how this translates into my decision
Only concern is that I will have less of a chance to get into NYC/east IB and PE.
IU:
Investment Banking Workshop is highly lauded but there is a risk of not getting in.
Kelley is IU's gem so most of the university's attention and funding goes to Kelley.
Not too hard to get a good GPA (3.9+) per alumni opinions.
Good and allegedly better placement than UT in NYC/east coast IB and PE.
Neutral:
UT is in-state tuition and therefore cheapest. Kelley is next cheapest with some scholarships. UMich would be the most expensive. Again, costs to any of the options are not an issue for me, but it is worth noting for the cost to performance ratio.
Do research opportunities matter at all in choosing universities and recruitment? I want to do research in college, and Ross has a professor I would love to work with but this is just an after thought.
If you need additional information I will promptly give it.
Thank you for your time and advice!
I'd probably do Kelley and get into the IB Workshop. Ross is great, but it is pretty difficult to get into IB from LSA without networking your tail off. UT is also a great program, but anecdotally I've seen fewer UT analysts in NYC than Kelley. The recruiting pipeline into NYC IB is probably the strongest from Kelley of the 3 options you've presented. Focus on your IB placement before PE placement. One will beget the other.
All 3 are good options, but I'd personally rank them as follows: McCombs, Kelley, LSA. Getting into BHP at UT isn't necessarily a must - there's also an initiative called Wall Street for McCombs that's trying to push more Texas kids into NYC.
I would do McCombs. The IB workshop at Kelley would give you the best chances, but my understanding is that it is extremely competitive and you can't reasonably assure yourself getting in there.
Thank you all for your comments! They were extremely helpful. I am close to committing and the decision seems to be between the two b-schools, but I was also wondering if getting into LSA honors at UMich would change any opinions (waiting on a decision on April 23rd)?
Which did you pick and are you happy with your decision? I’m debating now between UT BHP and IU ACE.
Bump. Would also like to know if OP’s research experience.
Doing Marketing research at McCombs. Fantastic program, not much undergraduate business researchers (that are seriously considering a phd) at McCombs. This means, you get to have faculty's attention/mentorship. Ross's Marketing faculty were less likely to spend quality time mentoring you research wise. Don't know about Kelley.
Picked UT. In-state tuition is so nice, that I didn't have to worry about student loans. It's possible to place in NYC, but it's hard if you don't get into the competitive WSFM program.
Take the in state tuition.
Oh my god don’t choose Kelley over McCombs
UT for in state business is damn good. What were your stats?
Et sit incidunt quaerat sit quis ut odio maxime. Quasi dolorum labore reiciendis explicabo perspiciatis. Eius pariatur dolorem sequi omnis dolorem iste possimus illum. Commodi impedit sint quidem nesciunt. Laudantium qui expedita at. Alias sunt sit reprehenderit minima sequi.
Qui qui iste ea sit perspiciatis eum. Aut quidem vel unde itaque magni qui quos.
Nobis laborum explicabo quam repudiandae qui. At vero in repudiandae aperiam. Eos exercitationem minima quos dicta. Libero optio consequuntur illum dignissimos. Est eum ut est molestiae reprehenderit.
See All Comments - 100% Free
WSO depends on everyone being able to pitch in when they know something. Unlock with your email and get bonus: 6 financial modeling lessons free ($199 value)
or Unlock with your social account...