<p>Imagine I get into a school like Yale (however difficult that may be). I have an interest in finance, and would like to go into a field like hedge funding, investment banking, venture capital, etc after college. However, after college, I want to live and work in California, not somewhere on the East Coast. How much better off would I be going to a school on the West Coast than attending Yale? I love everything about Yale (except the weather), and it is a perfect fit for me academically and socially. In other words, do those West Coast financial companies just recruit from Stanford and other such schools, or do they also come to the East Coast?</p>
<p>I went to Yale U back in the 1990s and my current job has me involved in hiring process for my company. I would say location makes a big difference. A lot of investment banks came to recruit at Yale back when I was there because of the quality of students but also because of location. Likewise, my company which related to finance and based out of NYC recruits mainly in the East Coast. I would venture to say that if you want a career in finance, your best bet would be NYU and not any of the Ivies. If you want to work and live in CA I would think that a CA school like Stanford might be better.</p>
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<p>Maybe Stanford would be better if you were certain of wanting a job in CA but probably not a school “like Stanford” (ie. Berkeley, UCLA, Claremont, etc.). Investment Banks are very “brand conscious” for their training programs and this is one of the fields where an Ivy League education really pays off compared to a top state u. honors program. FWIW, many choose to start their finance careers in NY even if they ultimately relocate elsewhere.</p>