Umich LSA vs UCLA vs UT Mccombs

I think most people consider biz econ to be one of the easiest "stem major". tbh this shit is not stem, it's complete fluff and you learn theoretical economics, game theory, and that kind of stuff. Pure math/logic based until you hit upper division courses. A majority of under division is math/logic based economics classes, with some accounting sprinkled here and there. There are a few finance classes, but those are all upper division, so earliest you're going to be taking those is late sophomore year -> recruitment already in full swing so it's too late.

Workload should be easily doable, even getting a degree after 3 years is not too difficult. People complain that econ classes are hard, but tbh, econ kids here are a notch below engineering/cs/math kids, myself included.

The main thing people shit on UCLA for is that the school doesn't care about its students. Career center is garbage and if you want a good job, you gotta work for it yourself, no counselor is going to be able to guide you. This means you're going to have to navigate getting internships/learning finance material yourself. If you only take classes, you will be clueless come recruitment. Probably won't even be able to do financial accounting.

Quarter system has its benefits, but like you said, it's fast paced. You should be able to handle it though: it's faster, but the classes have less material. Also means if you fuck up a class, the impact on GPA is lower, since there are 3 quarters instead of 2 semesters. It's honestly not that much of a grind: everyone here cheats/take shortcuts and the profs don't give two shits since they're more focused on doing research (this is why UCLA is rank 20, not because the undergrad is strong, but because research output is crazy high. Other garbage like racial diversity also factors into why UCLA is higher than USC, Berkeley, Georgetown. If you ask me, UCLA should be below all 3). The academic rigor is a joke compared to actual sweaty schools like UChicago. A LOT of people walk outta here with excellent GPAs. I think the average at UCLA is like 3.6, and all the IB kids have pristine GPAs, most being 3.9+ unless diversity.

If you're willing and can put in a lot of work outside school, UCLA isn't a bad place to be. If you want a more structured program at an actual business school, take McCombs. I've heard good things about the business honors program, so if you're in that, take it all day over UCLA. Do not think the top 20 ranking means jack shit.

I hate to talk down on my school, but it's just the sad truth.

very easy

Yeah....there a few things here. Maintaining a 3.5 GPA+ is not difficult if you take schooling seriously. I'm making an assumption that you are OOS, and that is one indicator that you DO take it seriously (along with the fact that you know you want to do IB coming out of HS). With very few spots given to OOS vs in-state, I applaud your success! I would say that there are a number of organizations that do help with recruiting, especially for NYC (you have probably heard of a few on this forum, WSFM/TUIT/USIT are a couple). These orgs mostly help with networking, and one of the professors who helps out was a career IB guy with a ton of ties. However, while it might a help make your life easier, it isn't make or break. I wasn't in any of them & I ended up just fine. McCombs as a whole does a great job at getting recruiters on campus, especially from HTX -- like I mentioned, if you can follow up with those recruiters and carry a conversation 1 on 1, you'll get looks. I don't know off the top of my head how many people go straight to buyside. There are numerous alums who have made it to notable players after their analyst stints, but can't comment on student success.

Last thing...I will say that Texas pride is real. I am not sure if it is like this at other public universities, but I found more times than not, alums were incredibly supportive and even willing to go out of their way to give back to their alma mater. While cold-emailing/calling can be intimidating, I found that everyone I talked to was eager to help other Longhorns get to the street, or however they could.

(Notably big presence at Evercore, JP & MS for what it's worth)

(edit) Wanted to leave this as well...While it is great to look at college options in the eyes of which will set you up for the most success down the line, you still have 4 more years to decide what you want to do. If you visit UT, for example, and love it, then go for it...the opportunities are here. However, I wouldn't limit your college selection primarily on the opportunities for IB. Every single one of those schools is killer, and regardless where you end up, there will always be opportunity. If you are a sports fan, you really can't go wrong at any of them (except for maybe UCLA...kidding). If you visit California and think UCLA's campus is out of this world, then maybe give some brownie-points there. Or for whatever reason you find Michigan's grueling winters to be enticing, perhaps give it a look. All I am saying is there is so much more to the college experience than IB prospects, and don't feel that you have to limit yourself to whatever school might have a better finance club. You seem like a smart/driven individual though, and already took this into account. Just my 2 cents.