I’m currently deliberating between these two schools for my undergraduate education. I am aware that Haas requires you to apply sophomore year, and that not everyone is guaranteed a position in the school.
One of my main concerns is Haas’s job placement in comparison to that of Stern’s. As my brother went to Stern, I am aware of the multitudes of job prospects and internship opportunities abundant in NYC. However, I have less knowledge about Haas, so I’m not as confident in job placement during the school year and post-graduation.
I know that Haas usually sends people to consulting firms, tech firms, and startups while Stern, with a concentration in finance, often sends people to investment banks, accounting firms, and consulting firms including the traditional respective BB’s, Big 4, and Big 3.
I love the weather of California and as an instate student it is less than half the cost of NYU. However, the priority is job placement for my career. Does anyone know in slight detail about how well Haas places its students into the bigger tech/investment banking/consulting firms? Thanks in advance!
Actually, there are tons of Big 4 recruits from Haas–and Cal in general. As you can see from ucbalumnus’s links, the Big 4 seem to like Haas! Then again, you might want to think about where you want to work after college.
NYU Stern is more prestigious than Haas and you got admitted directly to your major, which is a huge plus in comparison to Haas.
I think only Wharton beats Stern in prestige and job opportunities. Plus, NYC is the biggest financial center in the US and probably the world. You’d have more internship opportunities and are more likely to end up with a top job in NYC.
Another difference to consider is that, for NYU, there is not really a traditional college campus. So the social scenes between the two schools are quite different. You will have to find out if you have a preference for one or the other.
The big question is whether your parents can pay for Stern or would you/they would have to take on a ton of debt.
Go to Stern - if you work hard and the economy is doing well you are more or less guaranteed several great job offers
Thanks for all your awesome answers guys (and information from @ucbalumnus)! The general consensus I’m getting is that Stern is the more secure choice although Haas is by no mean’s a bad option, confirming what I believed.
As for the issue of payment that @PurpleTitan brought up, my parents want me to go to Stern themselves, even if it means taking on debt. I’m keeping the option of Cal open just so they wouldn’t have to spend so much, but they said not to worry since, if all goes well and I work hard enough, a career kickstarted by NYU can likely lead to the debt easily being paid off (as demonstrated by family friends). Basically, it’s an investment they’re voluntarily willing to make (and would rather make as well).
I will be visiting Berkeley for Cal Day next weekend and have decided that if I don’t fall in love with the campus and culture, I’ll most likely be attending NYU Stern.
Thank you all again!
Some debt is OK. Get in to the high 5-figures in debt, and it can be onerous or even destroy you (after all, you don’t know if something like the 2008 financial crisis will happen again).