<p>Would an undergraduate degree from Yale in Economics & Math or a dual degree in Economics and Math from Georgia Tech plus a master’s degree (from an Ivy) be better perceptually?</p>
<p>I am looking to get into investment banking and eventually run my own hedge fund.</p>
<p>I am currently 16 and attend a lesser university (Valdosta State University) as part of a program that allows me to receive high school and college credit (at universities that will accept it–probably not Yale) virtually free of cost. I originally intended to attend VSU for one year, and then, without officially graduating from high school, move to GT under a program that would allow me to bypass my senior year. If I chose GT, I would be able to get a master’s degree by the time I am 22. At the moment, however, I am strongly considering Yale. If I chose Yale, though, I would lose the credit that I am gaining at VSU and would only be able to graduate by the time I am 21. I would also have in excess of $100,000 in debt since my college fund does not have the quarter million that I would need to attend Yale: my parents’ income is too high for me to receive financial aid.</p>
<p>Yale: $100,000 Debt
Ivy League
Top 5
Social Life
Better Girls
Languages (all of the languages that I want to learn are offered)</p>
<p>Georgia Tech plus Master’s:
$0 Debt
Top 50
Master’s Degree</p>
<p>Check Yale’s financial aid policies. Even families that make 250k get some aid. They’re very generous with financial aid, and you’ll definitely get something.</p>
<p>If you’re parents earn “too much”, why will you have 100k debt? Are they not willing to contribute at all to your education expenses other than what’s in the fund?</p>
<p>Don’t take this the wrong way, but why exactly do you have the rest of your life planned out? I’ve never met anyone with a “passion” for i-banking, let alone a 16 year old who loves i-banking. You can be in it for the money, but I seriously think you should reconsider your priorities. </p>
<p>A masters degree is not going to help much in i-banking because you will still be an entry level analyst. </p>
<p>I think Yale is much better for i-banking because of the connections you’ll make here, but I don’t think 100k debt is worth it. It’s incredibly difficult to pass up on Yale but GT is a great school and no debt is extremely attractive. Just a personal opinion.</p>
<p>And lastly, you still need to get accepted to these schools first. Figure out what you really like to do and follow that path. Your whole plan is useless if you don’t like i-banking, and I don’t think you have enough of a background to even know if you like investing or not.</p>
<p>Yes, I am attracted to the earnings, but I have a legitimate interest in investing. I also see investment banking as a gateway to my wildest dreams.</p>
<p>My parents are against paying $50,000 a year for me to go to college when I can go to GT for free. </p>
<p>I expect to start as an analyst whether I have a Master’s or not. I am concerned with the public’s perception of my options. Your degrees are only as good as the money they can earn you, as far as I am concerned. I want to know who you would rather hire: Yale or GT plus Master’s.</p>
<p>Lastly, how likely do you think my acceptance is considering that I scored a 34 on the ACT (Math:36, Science:36, English:35, Reading:29) and a 2090 on the SAT (CR:690, Math:710, Writing:690)? I would also like to know if there are any specific extracurricular activities that I could participate in that would raise my odds. Currently, I can claim that I am an Eagle Scout, the vice president of the chess club, and a former member of Model UN.</p>
<p>Then Yale is not the place for you. A lot of graduates from here go on to lucrative positions, but I have yet to meet a student who chose Yale only to have great exit options. </p>
<p>If you don’t get any aid, however, then you’re in a dilemma. GT is not a target school for i-banking. This thread kind of sums it up:</p>
<p>You can still go into i-banking from GT, but it’ll be tougher. Considerably tougher. As for who I’d hire, I have no clue. There is an entire section on investment banking on CC that you can read and get more info about.</p>
<p>I don’t “chance” people but if your essay reflects what you’ve shown of your personality so far, I highly doubt Yale will take you. I’m sure you’re a fine kid but Yale offers a liberal arts education. If you won’t take advantage of that, then they won’t take you.</p>