Hi everyone, I’m an international student applying to the class of 2029. I’ve already secured a spot at Columbia School of General Studies but am debating where to apply early. My ultimate goal is to work in finance, specifically investment banking or buy-side roles.
Dartmouth
I’m drawn to Dartmouth because of its strong reputation with IB firms and solid placement stats. I also really like the New England backdrop, enjoy the outdoors, and find the social scene lively and interesting. Applying ED would likely maximize my chances of getting in. However, my concern is its international prestige—especially if I return to Singapore after graduation. I’m unsure if Dartmouth has enough name recognition there to help me secure top finance jobs. I’ve heard great things about Dartmouth’s alumni network, but I don’t know how extensive it is in Singapore, given the school’s smaller size.
Harvard
Harvard has unparalleled global prestige and stronger placement rates for finance roles, both locally and internationally. The name alone opens doors, especially in Singapore. However, my concern is the opportunity cost of applying early here. There’s a real possibility that if I go for Harvard and get rejected, I might also miss out on Dartmouth RD, whereas if I had applied ED to Dartmouth, I might have had a much better shot at securing a spot. In short, applying early to Harvard is a high-risk, high-reward strategy—I could potentially miss out on both schools if things don’t go as planned.
Given that I already have a spot at Columbia, I’m conflicted about where to apply early.
Feel free to ask any questions or share your thoughts—I’d really appreciate any advice!
Columbia School of General Studies is typically for non-traditional college students…does that describe you?
I can’t help you decide between Harvard and Dartmouth, but they are quite different. Are both schools affordable?
Do plan on returning to Singapore after graduation, it is difficult for non-citizens to secure an IB role in the US. See post from catcherinthetoast here:
Columbia School of General Studies is not meant for normal undergrad students. It is targeted to adults who are continuing their education later. Don’t make the mistake of thinking that you got into Columbia. It’s not the same thing.
I also can’t help with the Dartmouth vs Harvard. It seems you like Dartmouth more but are worried about the name recognition in Singapore. Maybe ask your parents and their friends if they have heard of Dartmouth.
Ask Dartmouth’s career office for a list of alums - and what they do - in Singapore to see if it’s a match for your needs. You might even reach out to some and ask.
Why did you apply to Columbia School of General Studies? Did you think this was the same as Columbia University. It’s NOT…at all. As noted this is not the path usually for students directly out of high school.
You do NOT really have a “spot at Columbia”. Please understand that.
Without knowing anything about your academics, etc. It’s impossible to say whether Harvard or Dartmouth is a better choice.
Why not just apply regular decision to both…if you are indeed a strong enough student to be considered at these two schools, and if they are affordable.
For some clarification, I am a non-trad student. I graduated in the class of 2023 and took two gap years to fulfill my mandatory army service. I applied for CGS in may for fall 2024. and have since deferred my spot to enter in fall 2025.
I don’t believe you would be considered a non-traditional student if your time after graduation was used to meet mandatory service requirements. Tagging @MYOS1634 who may know.
Ok, but what I’m saying is that I don’t think Harvard and Dartmouth would consider you non-traditional, and you can get a regular undergraduate experience there (which is different than what Columbia SGS would provide). I’m echoing what others are saying about SGS: “It is targeted to adults who are continuing their education later” and " Did you think this was the same as Columbia University. It’s NOT…at all."
You are comparing two regular Ivy League possibilities to the Columbia College of General Studies. You are comparing apples to acorns here. These are very different programs.
Did you think you were applying to Columbia University when you got accepted to their college of general studies?
Did you apply to any other colleges during your last year if high school, and if so, what were the outcomes?
You definitely meet the CGS requirements, and you’ve been admitted which is great.
Even though some will diss Columbia GS, the reality is that the vast majority of classes are taught by the same Columbia profs, the majors are basically the same as in CC, most classes are during the day, students can take classes at Barnard, and have full access to Columbia clubs and orgs. Many grads’ resumes will say they have a BA degree from Columbia. No reason to put GS on your resume same as many wouldn’t put they have a BA from CC or a BS from SEAS (IMO most would write Columbia BA or BS in X major.)
Some CGS students don’t really hang with the traditional undergrads though, because the average CGS age is 26…makes sense.
I expect CGS students also have full use of the career center (you can confirm), but again as an international student your career choices in the US will be limited…and that’s the case regardless the school you attend.
To clarify: I’m not dissing CGS. Rather, I’m saying it won’t be seen the same way (for IB) as Harvard and Dartmouth. In my many years on Wall Street I don’t recall working with any CGS grads in IB, but @Catcherinthetoast will know better.
I will let catcher answer, but an international student like OP isn’t likely going to work in US IB from any of those schools (based on catcher’s earlier posts.)
It would be good for OP to get placement data from CGS too, with international student detail if possible.
OP infers they are planning to go back home after school. They seem to prefer Dartmouth but are concerned with Dartmouth’s prestige in Singapore. When you are spending four years somewhere, day after day, find the right somewhere for you.
A 20 year old first year may qualify as non traditional but I agree isn’t.
Best of luck to OP but for every school of interest contact the placement office and ask about alums in Singapore.
Note some connections might be made in US operations to assist the hiring in Singapore.
You have selected the polar opposites of the Ivy League - the two schools couldn’t be more different from each other, in terms of size, setting, culture, graduate schools, etc. I’m not sure how it works in Singapore, but in the US, where you received your MBA (or whether you have one) could matter just as much as (if not more than) where you got your undergraduate degree. The people drawn to Dartmouth are primarily interested in a strong liberal arts education. If you are interested in a top notch undergraduate business program, why not also look at Wharton (Penn)? That is as prestigious as it gets when it comes to that particular focus.
If you have already secured a spot at Columbia general studies, are you even eligible to apply REA or ED to any other college? Restrictive early action means that you can only apply early action to Harvard, and not to any other private college - and you’re already in at Columbia. You can only ED to one college, and then you are committed to go there - and you’re already holding a spot admitted to Columbia.
Be careful. You could wind up losing that spot at Columbia general studies, if you’re applying REA and ED to other schools.
Does this apply to the Columbia College of General Studies? @Mwfan1921
Regardless…the student deferred enrollment and needs to check to see if they are allowed to apply out during this deferred enrollment period. Call Columbia College of General Studies…and ask.