<p>I was recently accepted ED to Brown University, which I am truly ecstatic about don't get me wrong. I am curious though, I've heard that Brown graduates are not as highly sought after as students from some of its peer institutions like Columbia, Dartmouth, Penn (non-Wharton), Duke, etc which are traditionally known as "target" schools. I think this might be slightly because Brown graduates on the whole are generally more interested in Law/Med/Grad school than I-banking, but I'm just wondering, what are the prospects for somebody who went to a top school, but not necessarily a "target" school? Are we negatively disadvantaged against people who went to similar quality/prestige but IB targeted schools? The question stands for similar cases like Yale grads seemingly being in much lower demand than Harvard/Wharton/Princeton grads, or any other likewise example.</p>
<p>If you are motivated to go this route having gone to Brown will only help you. It’s an ivy league school, and differences in quality among institutions of that calibre are really marginal (despite what some CC junkies might say). Bear in mind that your goals are likely to change during undergrad, so the most important thing is to study someplace that helps open doors to many different career paths. Which Brown obviously does. Congratulations. </p>
<p>For the record if I could go back and choose undergrad from the ‘peers’ you listed, I would definitely choose Brown over U Penn, Columbia, Dartmouth and Duke – in spite of the weaker IB recruiting. It just seems to be that much better of an experience for an individualist, non-jock/fratboy, academically-inclined person.</p>
<p>I might do IB - although I’m also sort of inclined to become more of an entrepreneur (the silicon valley culture seems really cool to me - more fun than IB even thought probably much more risky). I’ve talked to a lot of people about this, my conclusion has been that Brown opens a lot of doors and in no way precludes the IB path - you might just have to look a little harder and get in a little closer. Once you have an internship you’re on the path.</p>
<p>You’ll do fine anywhere from Brown. Go and enjoy!!</p>
<p>Brown is definitely a target school. It’s an Ivy, after all. If you do well there, you’ll have no problem getting a top banking job.</p>
<p>Brown is a great school and the reason why it is not championed around with Columbia and others is because Brown graduates don’t choose IB nearly as often as graduates from those other schools, not because IB doesn’t ever want to choose Brown. Brown is a great school and you will have more than ample opportunity through reputation, intellect and alumni support. Make the most of it and congratulations. </p>
<p>IBanker</p>
<p>Also going to Brown next year and am remotely interested in banking. What are the best concentrations for IB at Brown? I really don’t want to just do economics, but I am afraid I wouldn’t be able to get an internship without that or something similar. Can I concentrate in something like Development Studies (kind of like econ and anthropology mixed), History, Literature, Philosophy (lots of logic classes), or International Relations? Or do I need to do something like Economics or Applied math?</p>
<p>Definitely don’t do econ if you don’t want to. In fact, you should major in whatever interests you. Success (and happiness) is much more important than having the “right” major.</p>
<p>Would banking or consulting be possible coming from Brown without Econ and or a plethora of math classes be possible?</p>
<p>Yes, it absolutely would be. Once your school is on the radar of BB banks (in other words, targets or even some semi-targets outside of those semis for business - such as Stern), banks don’t really care about your specific major. In other words, you don’t have to major in finance, accounting, or econ, you can major in whatever interests you. That said, be prepared to answer why banking, how your major is applicable (or the skills necessary to succeed in your major) to IB and, perhaps most importantly, why that major - what about that major was interesting to you and given your interest in that major, how’d you end up interested in IB. As a general suggestion, I would also recommend that you join any finance/IB school clubs if available (even perhaps look towards an officer position) to further bolster your interest in the field, and, of course, utilize your alumni network. </p>
<p>As long as you can explain your interest in your major, tie in skill sets (for example, attention to detail, problem solving, seeing the big picture, etc) necessary to the major applicable to IB and be able to deliver an articulate response to why IB, you will be fine. </p>
<p>PM me if you have any other questions.</p>
<p>IBanker</p>
<p>Thanks for the reassurance. I’m definitely very happy with my choice and excited to spend four incredible years at Brown, I was just a little naggingly insecure about my choice; I had very good reason to believe I could have gotten into Columbia if I had wanted (lots of legacy, connections etc), but I chose Brown over it for more social reasons (I’ve lived next door to Columbia all my life, wanted to get away, etc) so I can’t help feeling like I might have handicapped myself for stupid reasons if I decide down the line I want to work on Wall Street. Regardless though, you guys are definitely right, and I’m sure if IBanking is ultimately what I want to do when I graduate, having gone to Brown over Columbia will be negligible.</p>