I’m an accepted student who has Lafayette as one of their top choices, and will most likely be a math-econ major. One of the things that’s holding me back from Lafayette are the opportunities after graduation. I’ve also gotten into UIUC Gies, which is top target for Chicago, arguably even above UChicago and NU, and has reasonably good placements everywhere else as well. Assuming one does well obviously, I was wondering how difficult it is to get top finance/business jobs when I graduate. I’ll be an OOS student, so how would finding jobs in NYC and LA be? I’m recovering from recent Achilles and calf injuries right now, but I will definitely join the cross country/track team in my sophomore year (my current times are already enough to walk-on) if not sooner, if being an athlete matters.
Getting internships and jobs will generally be more correlated with your networking and effort in finding opportunities rather than organized recruiting thru a given school. I expect Lafayette econ and math majors place well into finance/business…you might contact their career center for details/data.
I am a big fan of Gies too…but again one needs to make an effort to find internships/jobs. What major will you be in Gies? Seems like your decision might come down to what you most like to major in. I would not say UIUC Gies places better in Finance/business than Chicago or NU. Unless you will be an accounting major at Gies!
Will you join the XCT&F teams at UIUC?
Congrats on two excellent options. I think there are enough differences between the schools that one should stand out as being the right choice for you. Some things to consider:
–I think you really should look through the course catalogues for both programs (should be online)-- there is a big difference in coursework between being a math/econ major and being in a b-school. One path is not better or worse than the other, but they are different.
–Also consider if you prefer a LAC environment or being part of a large university.
–And think about if being on the track team is an important attribute to your college experience. Guessing Laf is easier to walk on compared to UIUC. Being an athlete only matters if it matters to you.
For full disclosure, my D graduated from Laf and had a fantastic four years in every respect.
I’d reach out to the career center and ask for career outcomes in the major.
Here’s their career report but ask them specifically about people in the major and/or who work in the industry of interest.
They should have it.
Many organizations like to recruit athletes - especially those in customer facing jobs - something about confidence or swagger and teamwork for sure!!
I assume at UIUC you’d not be an athlete.
I have no doubt that someone from Lafayette can get the same jobs as someone from UIUC and vice versa.
But I also have no doubt the four year experience at the two will be vastly different - and I’d focus on that.
Good luck.
GatewayAnnualReport_22-23-FinalPassV2.pdf (uconnectlabs.com)
I will be a finance major at Gies, and no, there’s no chance I’ll ever be good enough to join the XC/T&F teams at UIUC.
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Excellent choice of majors with respect to employment opportunities. Math/econ is strong as is finance at Geis. Select based on whether you want a small lac school experience or a large state flagship experience.
Read the Fiske Guide To Colleges for additional insight on each school.