<p>I am a rising sophomore in Wharton who just applied for transfer into M&T as per my plan. In case I get rejected from M&T I indicated on my application that I would like to be considered for a regular dual degree b/w Penn & Wharton. FYI in Engineering I intend to pursue a Bachelor of Applied Science in Computer Science. My GPA at the end of freshman year is 3.71. Now I am pretty sure that I am going to be rejected from M&T(to my knowledge any Penn student who has successfully transferred into M&T had 3.85+). But I am equally sure that I will be accepted into the regular dual degree program ( my research has yielded that 3.6+ is safe for Wharton students).</p>
<p>My question is does being in regular dual degree make you lose out on recruitment, prestige, market value, salary etc. versus M&T? Or are they both equally prestigious? I mean they should be because both give you the same two degrees- the difference is just that one is coordinated and the other is not. (FYI that makes no difference to me because double counting ensures that I will do the same number of credits whether M&T or regular). But there could be a potential diff in prestige because M&T is well advertised on campus whereas I hardly hear mention (indeed I have never met) a regular dual degree student in W & SEAS. It could also be that the M&T alumni and internship network is stronger. What is your opinion?</p>
<p>I concede that this question may be viewed as splitting hairs by some because the fact is that an engineering + wharton degree is ultra prestigious regardless and judging by previous years' salary statistics it will put in the bracket of the best earning Penn grads.</p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>Fact is M&T and Huntsman are in a league of their own when it comes to recruitment. The M&T alumni are, on average, more successful, and more well-connected to M&T students than regular Wharton undergrads/regular Wharton alumni. I know that some firms that don’t recruit at Stanford, usually only recruit M&T and Huntsman students.</p>
<p>Beyond that, others who go to your college can advise you better. I’m only well-versed with recruitment.</p>
<p>M&T students are viewed as smarter guys. Dual Engineering & Wharton students are viewed as harder workers. </p>
<p>As PrincetonDreams said, M&T people have an edge. It’s unfair given that that dual-degree students have to take more credits, but that’s the way it works.</p>
<p>ok so M&T > Regular IYO. Is it atleast true that Regular>Wharton Single Degree Finance in terms of recruitment and job opportunities? I intend to work in business related fields like IB, Consulting, Trading, etc.</p>
<p>If you mean in terms of greater avenues open, I could see it being easier to land some of the quant-intensive jobs with the dual-degree.</p>
<p>Assuming equivalent GPA’s, dual-degree engineering & Wharton is more respected than single-degree Wharton. That said, it won’t make up for a lower GPA, so you should have that as a big question mark in your decision. Engineering is a big time-sink and you should make sure you understand the risk to your GPA you take with the added load.</p>
<p>What do you think a good GPA would be for single degree and dual degree respectively?</p>
<p>I am curious to hear more about the GPA situation as well. Would it be wrong to list a Wharton GPA and an engineering GPA on a resume?</p>
<p>I assume you mean “good” GPA in the context of recruiting for finance jobs. It’s really a function of the economy what a GPA that is “good enough” is.</p>
<p>For single-degree, you want 3.7 or higher. I was a single-degree and lower but I managed to skate by through intensive networking. You don’t want to repeat how I did it.</p>
<p>For dual-degree, maybe another point lower, so 3.6 is where you want your GPA to clear.</p>
<p>No, if it’s advantageous for you to do so, you should.</p>
<p>Advisor Prime if you dont mind me asking- do you work at a BB? Because another student once told me it takes 3.8 to get a bulge bracket without networking. Also I aspire to go to grad school like HBS, Stanford etc for an MBA. Will anything less than 3.8 do?</p>
<p>GPA “cutoffs” for finance jobs are subjective and each person will tell you a different number based on their personal experience. Plus, GPA only matters for landing the first round interview. I know kids with 3.9+ dual degrees who got plenty of interviews but few offers, because once you are at the table, you aren’t a number; you are a person.</p>
<p>That being said, here are guideline GPAs for LANDING INTERVIEWS for types of firms. dual degrees MIGHT lower by 0.1. This is purely from my peers from Class of 2012</p>
<p>Hedge Funds & Top prop shops (AQR, DE Shaw, Citadel, Fortress) : 3.7+, dual degrees do help for the most part, must have quantitative background</p>
<p>PE/VC firms: 3.8+, dual degrees may help, previous IB experience trumps GPA, comp sci knowledge helpful for VC.</p>
<p>Elite Boutiques (LAZ, Greenhill, etc) : 3.7+</p>
<p>Top BB (GS, MS, JPM): 3.6+, networking trumps all</p>
<p>Lower tier BB: 3.5+</p>
<p>Mid market banks: 3.3+</p>
<p>Did you get in to M&T?? I’m thinking about applying to transfer to the M&T program next year (I’ll be a freshman in Wharton in the fall). I have a strong affinity for computer science but I’m not sure if it’s worth a regular dual degree if I don’t get in. Perhaps a minor would have the same effect.</p>