Undergrad: transferring from Penn State after sophomore year--where should I be looking?
Highlights:
-3.85 GPA in PSU's most competitive major (Finance). Only B on transcript is in Spanish. A few A-s.
-Dean's List
-National AP Scholar Award Recipient
-Strong recommendations/classroom experiences
-Variety of interesting ECs (from student government to club water polo to finance society)
-Can hold a conversation, make eye contact, do handshakes, all that stuff
Where I'm definitely looking:
-Georgetown
-Cornell
-UC Berkeley
Maybe:
-Duke
-MIT
-Virginia
-Northwestern
Yes, I know about the Nittany Lion Fund. Yes, going into IB still sucks if you go to this university.
Size me up, if you would be so kind. What should I be considering?
Whats your sat score- because it does matter. Your gpa is very good, but your extra currics seem classic. I would apply to all those schools. If your going to apply to cornell, Cornell ILR takes a ton of transfers. Also look at NYU Stern, UCLA, USC,
2010 was my SAT score. Pretty weak I know, but I also come from an academically mediocre high school, had no preparation for the test, and I'm still in the upper echelon.
I was told it wasn't worth retaking as a 20-year-old amongst 17-year-olds. Would you disagree?
Are you on the fund? Assuming you're not, getting on it might help more than transferring, and could be easier- I met someone from there interning in IB at a top bank (won't say more to maintain anonymity) who said a large reason for why he/she got it was being on the fund.
Otherwise, what about Columbia?
I am not on the Fund, but am pursuing it with priority. It is extremely competitive to get on the fund--moreso perhaps than transferring to a non-target school. That said, if I got on the Fund, I would likely stay here.
Columbia scares me. Hell fucking yes I would drop everything to go there, I just don't know if it's worth the time to apply. Assuming that you are suggesting it, I will look, my fear may be unwarranted, so I will look into it!
The only way you could have one B if your GPA is 3.85 is if you've taken six classes in total.
Dean's list follows from your GPA. Anyone can google "dean's list at penn state" to see it just means 3.5+. It does not merit an extra bullet when your GPA already is listed.
It doesn't lend you any credibility when you act like finance is a competitive or difficult major.
In sum, banking is perfect for you... or maybe used car sales.
I thought about that too, but he could also have a bunch of A minuses, which are 3.67 in GPA calculation.
Anyways, finance is definitely not the most competitive major at PSU. (over pre-med, where I've seen so many kids drop off?) And the fact that he mentions that: - He has strong "classroom experiences" - "Interesting" ECs
You may be able to hold conversations, make eye contacts and shake hands all fine, but not sure about retaining interest.
There are one or two A minuses in there.
A few clarifications:
"Strong classroom experiences" meaning despite fucking huge lecture halls, my professors all know who I am. Outstanding by definition.
"Interesting ECs" meaning prior to this year, not necessarily related to financial career trajectories, but relatively interesting nonetheless.
Would you mind elaborating upon "retaining interest"?
Given that list, I'd say stick with PSU. Have you seen the placement that guys are getting from there?
Have I seen the placement that we are getting from PSU? Maybe. In terms of bulge bracket recruiting, my understanding is that it's direly competitive.
If you could shed a positive light on this place, by all means do so! I'll be the first to concede that my faith in this university's finance major placement is getting weaker by the day.
Here's what you should see: http://wallst.smeal.psu.edu/nittany-lion-fund/penn-state-investment-ass…
You guys got a great alumni base as well which will be especially helpful.
I would stay at PSU and do your best to join the NLF. If you can't get in then try applying for summer, it's easier to get in that way. Join PSIA and get advice from fund managers, a lot of them end up at BB's.
Already in PSIA, already seeking advice from fund managers! Solid all-around plan.
I think the hangup is with mental; NLF is highly competitive and fund managers are brilliant and elite. I go to them and there is this sense of "What do you bring to the table? If we give you advice, what can you give back?"
After one or tow years in college, no one gonna care about your SAT. Even if they do, I think you score is sufficient (mine is a tard worse) depending on the break-down.
I would argue that PSU is already very good, especially their Smeal Business College (sorry if I'm wrong with the name). Therefore I don't really see why you should transfer if not for fin-aid or scholarship. All of your schools are good to great in term of reputation but also not entirely business-oriented but more LAC like. The benefits seem to be equal to the costs if you ask me.
At the end of the day, if you don't stand out at Penn State, what makes you think you will at the other schools you mention?
You can never think like that. Factually and statistically, I do stand out. Psychologically, after a while, of course I feel like I'm fucked. But what's the cure to that disease of a thought train? You go out there and do stuff--get good grades, meet cool people, network, discover, et cetera.
I've listed what I quantifiably have. Qualitatively, I do get discouraged; the philosophical question is whether that is a byproduct of the environment or of me. Until then, I will assume environment. Until then, I will continue to strive for the receptive "yes." And then, when I get the "yes," whether it's from PSU or another school, I'll start over.
He won't. But the whole point of getting to a target is that you don't have to be outstanding to get a banking job.
Pretty much my thoughts.
It is a big challenge and intimidating, however, if you really go for it and dedicate a lot of time to studying for the NLF interviews it can be done. The Fund managers are typically helpful with the process, just reach out to them if you have questions or need help.
Also, the Nittany Lion Fund internship and full-time placement this year was incredible. 100% of them placed in S&T or IB internships and they all got offers for full time.
Definitely a tough choice though because as you said it is very tough to get IB or S&T at PSU if you aren't in the fund. I would suggest joining Wall Street Bootcamp if you can at Penn State. Very good for networking with Penn State alumni on Wall Street.
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