Ok so I’ve been committed to Virginia Tech for fintech but I recently got into USC off of appeal. I plan to go into fintech or high finance for a career and am wondering what the better choice would be? Yes, USC is expensive but I got no aid from Vtech. I am instate though but tuition is still not cheap. Also USC is like a semi-target from what I’ve heard but I feel like it’s better than Vtech. I got in for spring semester so I’d have to do one semester elsewhere. I don’t know what I should do.
Which USC?
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And what would you plan to study?
Do you have any financial limitations?
Southern California
I by it into the Marshall school of business for business admin but I’m planning on changing to something more finance related if I choose to go. I’m still waiting on the aid package and test 95k a year is a lot and if I get no aid I’d probably not go. But if I get even a little aid that would make it a lot more considerable
I think Va Tech is a lot less per year - in state - the COA is about $40K so without aid, that’s over a $200K savings.
Can your family afford USC?
You might look at Va Tech grads in fintech or IB - yes they exist - to see - if others have followed the path you’re interested in.
USC, on paper, might give you better odds (I’m not sure - you need to research) but then - can your family afford $400K over four years.
My Alabama son had no issue gaining access to Jane Street as an example - they weren’t concerned with which school but could you pass their test.
In Fintech, the b school part may be less important.
Good luck.
Can you be more specific on what you mean by high finance?
I am an investment banker so trying to understand the specificity of your desired end game. For instance if interested in PE or AM type opportunities, firms like Oaktree, TCW, PIMCO, WAMCO or even Pacific Life would be targets that would draw heavily from USC and its regional bias. Traditional IBs would also have a greater alumni network from USC.
VT however would likely have an advantage for some specific Fintech roles or any IT related support area.
Lots of people work at IBs that aren’t bankers and high finance incorporates lots of different types of professions. In general terms USC will likely open more doors in my experience but the devil is in the details of what specifically you pursue and how you perform academically and how you create a network.
In this case it may be worth paying up a little assuming the financial burden is manageable and you and your family are comfortable. It’s a personal consideration that should be discussed with your parents.
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This is a 17-18 year old kid. I wonder what the odds are they understand the field well enough to make these kind of distinctions?
I would agree. When I was that age I had absolutely no clue that these other options existed.
That is why I was leading them to a realization that there are many options without assuming they weren’t aware. I provided the specific names of companies in the hopes they would look them up and avoid the trap of viewing “high finance” as limited to Goldman Sachs.
Hope it helps open OP’s mind to options they might not be aware of juxtaposed against the question of USC vs VT.
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Thank you! I appreciate the help!
I see, that was really insightful actually and I definitely will do more research on everything you listed. Thank you so much for your thoughts!
Examine the IB and finance clubs for each university. Helps if non-competitive to join (open to all finance or business majors).
https://Trojaninvestingsociety.com/overview
Additionally, there are many courses and certificates available online that will help you to better understand the various options & roles in the investment community.
There are also websites devoted exclusively to placement with IB firms.
My suggestion: Attend Virginia Tech & join the FinTech club. Easy to prepare you to become a quant jock if you prefer that type of position, but the FinTech club should expose you to a variety of career options in the field.
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