My son is interested in pursuing a career in Finance. He wants to do a finance program as an undergrad. He is OOS for both his options. He did not get honors at either institution unfortunately.
His first option is University of Florida (UF). He would go to Warrington. The thing that is making this really attractive is he got a pretty good scholarship that makes it virtually zero to attend UF.
His second option is Ohio State University (OSU). He would go to the Fisher school which he has been admitted to. He got some sort of scholars program but it’s not honors. He also got a scholarship from OSU based on academics but it is still more expensive than UF.
He is hoping to work in the NYC area so I am curious what people on here think about the two. Finance is not my area at all so I don’t know if one would hold a significant benefit over the other.
He is also open to transferring to another institution after his first year so that is another factor we are considering.
It is my area. No, neither holds a significant advantage over the other.
You mentioned working in NYC. Getting a job in NYC can happen from any school. If he is targeting IB, it is very difficult to be an actual Investment Banker from either institution. You could be a Financial Analyst working for an investment bank from either school.
Don’t worry about Honors and / or scholars program. You can’t put them on an online app. Yes, you can bring them up in an interview if you get one but few will likely care.
Wow, especially if you have affordability issues, that’s a huge win.
There’s also a 5 year MSF with Warrington which supposedly has a 100% track record with top banks.
There has been concern listed about UF lectures - that they are taped or that gets don’t attend in person. Someone said you can attend but kids don’t and professors are often lecturing to a camera. I don’t know what OSU is like.
I would suspect UF would have a better track record to Wall Street than OSU but neither are targets for investment banking, which I assume is what you mean be finance.
If it’s just general corporate finance, both will be OUTSTANDING.
As for transferring - just stop right there - they are about to enter the first year. You don’t go in with one foot out the door. You won’t make friends, establish relationships, etc. and it’s likely not to be a great year. And no where can assure you a job in investment banking - if that’s what you hope. Not even the target schools.
But if he just seeks a finance job, you can go anywhere - these two and anywhere else and still end up in the NYC area. btw - many finance jobs have left and are leaving NYC - places like Nashville, Dallas, Charlotte, Atlanta, etc.
Thanks! He isn’t targeting investment banking. He is interested in corporate finance, wealth management, fintech. So that’s good to hear. Neither option would require him to go into debt but he would have a good amount of money left if he goes to UF.
Well that is good to hear. We looked into the online lectures it looks like it’s more hybrid style. And yeah he’s not interested in investment banking so it sounds like it won’t be that bad at all.
The main con of business at UF is that the business core classes are online (even pre-Covid), which IMO is a disincentive, especially for those paying huge sums from OOS. However if the experience would be near-free, go unless you get into one of the name brand schools (Wharton, Ross, Haas etc.)
Contrary to most others who contribute to this website, I do not see any problem with entering one school with plans to transfer after a year or two because this should be reflected in the student’s seriousness of purpose regarding academics.
I think it’s more the social aspect - and if you aren’t engaging, will you make friends? And if you aren’t making friends, will you be happy? And if you’re not happy, will you do well in class?, etc. - that sort of thing. And then if you decide to stay but you didn’t partake in things, are you that much further behind?
Agree that a very serious student is likely to make friends with a different group/different type than would one who is more focused on social activities.
While neither of these schools are targets at top-tier banks, better students who are hard working and directed can become IB analysts or financial analysts at banks. My contact at Lazard just mentioned each of these schools as sleepers so take the UF deal that is preferred and see you u in NYC!