USC Marshall Vs. VSB

Hi all,

I'm a senior from Washington and need some advice on where to go for my undergraduate. Unless I get off the waitlist for NYU Stern, my options are USC Marshall and VSB (was rejected from Penn, Northwestern, Stanford). I don't have any distinguishing pros/cons for either school (both are free tuition, in areas I like, and I have family near both campuses), except Villanova's proximity to NYC/USC's large alumni network. I want to work my way into IB or S&T but realize that neither school is a "targets" for these careers.

I feel that I have a decent chance to succeed at both of these schools academically - I come from a moderately competitive high school (3-5 T10s / 15+ T20s a year) and held a 4.0 UW, 13 APs, and valedictorian. Even if I'm academically successful, I'm worried about the placement into these careers on Wall Street after graduation from USC/VSB.

Which of the schools would offer the most resources/opportunities to end up on Wall Street, and, if I don't end up at NYU, would it be in my best interest for future job placement to try and transfer?

*Edit - I figured I should add that I'm waitlisted at UNC-Chapel Hill and accepted to UW-Foster/Penn State

Thanks for any help.

 
Most Helpful

Villanova has an IB club with good placement in NYC. Relatively easy to get into because there's not a lot of students seriously interested in IB. If you're in the IB club and are actually interested in IB, you have a very good change at placing. The IB club is only around ~30 kids per grade.

VSB '20 IB club example placement- Barclays, Goldman, Credit Suisse, Moelis, Allen & Co, Deutsche Bank, BMO, Nomura, Rothschild, Jefferies VSB '21 IB club internship example placement- Barclays, Goldman, PWP, Deutsche Bank, BMO, Nomura, Jefferies, Ducera, Blair, Stifel

 

If you really really really want to end up on Wall Street(NYC) then take Villanova due to its east cost proximity. However, even though USC might not end up placing you on the East Coast, it is a very solid semi-target that will place well across the West Coast. If I were in your shoes, I would definitely choose USC due its higher prestige, relatively better job placements, and amazing lifestyle.

 

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