<p>How good is Albany's financial analyst program? If you've completed the program or in the process of completing it, how are the recruiting opportunities? Also, if you have the ability to compare and contrast Binghamton's Finance program versus Albany's finance program please do so!</p>
<p>bump, also curious about this…</p>
<p>Arthos/Hanno10,</p>
<p>I am a current junior double major in the FA program and Economics. I can honestly say that the FA program is one of the best programs in the country. I firmly believe that all of the top students within the business school can compete with the likes of Wharton and Harvard students, the only difference is the lack of funding and the long-running reputation that those school hold. From day one, they teach you to be a professional. They make you wake up early, give you a ton of work, and put you in extra program to really hone your excel skills and overall business acumen. It’s a tough workload, but if you really put in the work, it will pay off: I guarantee it! The number of students going into full-time front office positions at BB firms is increasing by the year; note that this doesn’t include the number of students already with full time offers at consulting firms, trading desks, boutique-mid brackets, and back office. Talks within the program and the investment group (I am in both) suggest that we will start being looked at more, and potentially be a radar school (semi target) within the next 10 years. Our alumni are some of the most dedicated, and they know that we work harder than any other group of kids that come into their firms. They reach out to all students, and offer any advice because they want to see the number of Albany grads increase over time. I can’t remember the statistics off the top of my head, but we have an alum who is one of the top MD of Fixed Income and Commodities at Morgan Stanley, executive directors at MS; 2 out of 72 Blackstone directors are from Albany; people at Goldman in every position (3rd highest represented school at GS). Just astounding numbers, and ones you do not expect, but those are facts. A current senior will soon graduate being known as one of the hardest-working students in FA with a full time offer at GS Investment Banking, having beat out every other intern, except one who got hired as well (he was the only public school intern, all else were from IVY’s and semi-target schools). It is a great school, with an accelerated program that demands attention. This program is not for everyone. We started my class with 34 students, and now there is 31 left after 1 semester. Last year’s FA students started around the same and ended with 18. </p>
<p>If you put in the blood, sweat and tears, I promise you will not regret your decision. Plus, the school is a good time! There’s plenty of on-campus clubs, and off-campus parties to go to. If you don’t like to go out, there’s a group of students you can meet who feel the same, but there is also a community of people who like to go out, especially freshmen with the “van wilder college” mind-set.</p>
<p>Last words of advice: Don’t stress too much! You are still in HS, have fun and make sure you end the year off well, apologize to the people you’ve argued with, keep in touch with your friends, and just have fun! </p>
<p>Best of luck in your decisions, and I hope you make the right one.</p>