Worth transferring? (OSU to UMich)
Hello WSO!
I made a post about this about 7 months ago, but things have changed and I am in dire need of advice.
I am a rising sophomore at Ohio State in the business school looking to go into consulting, while also looking at IB.
I am considering transferring to Michigan. I understand that Ross at Michigan has much more OCR and name-brand prestige, but my only routes to Ross are from external transfer (which I hear is MBB/BB IB, but if LSA Econ makes it that much easier for me, then I would prefer that route.
My fear is that by transferring, I will lose all of the leadership experience I have on my resume (a lot), as well as the network I've built up in Columbus.
(Money is not a factor, but there is a reason that I am looking specifically at UMich that would probably dox me)
Thank you all!
bump
I think it worth
Potentially worth it for OCR, but given the intense football rivalry prepare to be mocked by your peers for transferring - both at OSU and at UM.
But you gotta decide whats best for you and watch out for #1
Stay the course, you're already in the lead of your program and you have built relationships. Going to Michigan could make you a small fish in their pond. I understand the strategic optionality of leaving, but your internship, and recommendations from OSU can get you an interview and confidence in yourself can finish the job. Then you can level up when the MBA comes around. I wouldn't abandon ship just yet and I had this conversation recently with a semi target MBA family member who was mentoring me about making similar considerations. I transferred schools in undergrad and I totally regret the choice. I went from a small private school to a larger state U, only to realize years later that the private school under new management has risen in rankings dramatically and the state school has fallen dramatically. My GPA started over at the new school post transfer and I was on the Deans List at the old private U. Until this day I regret making that switch. My situation at the Private University would have propelled me into a better graduate program because of the GPA and the support of the instructors. At the larger program I was in a sea of people and had less ability to get those key personal relationships on the same level. I had a Boss with a Ross MBA and I have had a Boss from OSU undergrad who interned at JP Morgan and went to Semi Target MBA and I think the latter had more skills and a leg up. This wasn't consulting but chasing programs is a loser strategy IMO. You can get an interview from OSU, I know it, they may not be MBA business schools ">M7, but I am pretty sure interviewers know who they are. Coming out with a high GPA and some professors who will cosign and some interview prep should get you there. I am not in hiring so it's a grain of salt opinion. If a senior consultant here says different I will eat this post and my pride and say listen to the person who is currently managing the system.
PS My Grandfather got his PHD from OSU he ended up teaching at Harvard. I have a bias!
If you transfer, be prepared to have a fake as hell "why did you transfer" answer. I can't imagine in an MBB/BB interview saying you transferred solely to get into a good consulting or IB firm would go well
Honestly IMO, the juice isn't worth the squeeze. OSU alumni base is one of the best. I'd suggest you reach out to alums (via university alumni directories or LinkedIn). At the very least, you can set up conversations or coffee chats with your Buckeyes. Best case scenario, if you end up connecting well with someone, you may end up with a mentor.
And I wholeheartedly agree with Pershing ROI, you always have a second shot at this via your MBA. Distinguish yourself post-grad for 2-3 years, crush your GMAT and apply to b-schools.
I'm an OSU grad and work in Consulting for one of the Big 4 firms. I would say I see limited Buckeye alumnus in strategy consulting and far more Michigan grads. In addition, I believe my firm doesn't recruit at Fisher undergrad anymore (they took ~1 FT a year previously), while they have a strong presence at Ross. If you are already doing well at OSU, then you could stick it out and get a top F500 rotational program or MM IB gig (and re-brand with a MBA business schools ">M7 MBA down the road), however I know there are a lot of opportunities at Ross whereas Fisher doesn't offer the same.
My two cents.
I agree with this. I’m in B4 consulting and very rarely meet a OSU alumn. There’s plenty of UMich alumns though. If you can xfer and maintain the gpa, I would do so. UMich alumns really do help each other out. At my firm in Chicago, there are active NW, UChicago, Purdue, Indiana, UIUC, ND, and UMich recruiting groups.I didn’t attend any of these schools but got in, but I feel I’m a very rare case
Are those UMich alums Econ majors who got in Big 4 consulting out of undergrads?
Worth transfering? (OSU to UMich) (Originally Posted: 08/07/2017)
Hello WSO!
I made a post about this about 7 months ago, but things have changed and I am in dire need of advice.
I am a rising sophomore at Ohio State in the business school looking to go into consulting, while also looking at IB.
I am considering transferring to Michigan. I understand that Ross at Michigan has much more OCR and name-brand prestige, but my only routes to Ross are from external transfer (which I hear is MBB/BB IB, but if LSA Econ makes it that much easier for me, then I would prefer that route.
My fear is that by transferring, I will lose all of the leadership experience I have on my resume (a lot), as well as the network I've built up in Columbus.
(Money is not a factor, but there is a reason that I am looking specifically at UMich that would probably dox me)
Thank you all!
I'm not sure what OSU recruiting is like, so cannot comment on that part. I do say though, UofM LSA does provide the opportunity to at least interview at banks. In addition, when I was at school I had friends who did not gain admission to Ross following freshman year and reapplied to Ross after sophomore year and got in (did a 5 year stint). You could plausibly apply following next year and they would still consider you.
(UofM Ross grad here - best of luck with whatever you do. HMU if you have any questions!)
Yes the school ranking a lot higher unfortunately. OSU is regional and UM is national/global in ranks
easy yes
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f*** yeah man!
f** yeah man! I'm at a nontarget rn and work as an intern at a BB. Any general advice for a nontarget guy as I finish up at school?
I agree the nontarget grind will pay off in the long run!
Congrats man! Making the tough decision that the grass isn't always greener, especially as an 18/19-year old, is an accomplishment in itself. That level of maturity obviously showed up in the classroom and on-site during your internship(s).
Best of luck as you begin your career and, most importantly, enjoy your senior year - the hard part's over!
Congrats on your offer! I am in the exact same situation you were in, and I can't convince myself if transferring is worth the money. Would be awesome if you can share some insights! PMed you.
Congrats - just sent PM
How dare you consider transferring to a rival solely for the sake of money
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