I am currently a freshman at the University of Michigan studying Economics. I want to go into Finance. However, I would like to be part of a more prestigious program, one that will significantly improve my chances at landing a job at top financial firms. A few schools I will be definitely applying to will be UPENN Wharton and UMICH Ross. I would like suggestions for other schools to apply to. Thanks.
UMich is plenty prestigious. Seriously. Do your best in your program and get excellent grades. UMich can get you where you want to go.
Perhaps to set your mind at ease, step over to your Career Services office and begin working with them. The will be able to help you–
- prepare your resume for your intended job
- guide you in what classes you should take
- help you find appropriate internships and/or work study on campus that will support your ambitions
- introduce you to their resources such as alumni databases, recruitment lunches and events, handshake for internships/ jobs, etc.
- practice interview skills with you.
And more.
Starting now, you should be well prepared to land that finance job in a top firm upon graduation.
@Dustyfeathers I understand that UMICH is a prestigious school but I am still very interested in transferring out to a school that is not as large and is also more prestigious. I’m specifically looking at top-tier business schools and other top Economic programs. I will definitely consider what you stated above if my transfer efforts prove futile after this year.
Schools like Penn Wharton are able to spot those seeking prestige. They will want to know what they offer that your current school does not. Coming from Michigan Ross that will be hard for you to do.
FYI – At our PE firm, we prefer to hire graduates from top tier schools (including UMich) that have majored in hard sciences or economics (versus business and finance majors). Our folks then go on to get MBAs. Not a preference for undergraduate business/finance majors
@TomSrOfBoston Unfortunately, I am not in the Ross School of Business right now. I am in LSA right now.
Take as much math as you can handle and stay where you are. Its not going to be much better at Penn, and really the pressure is higher at Penn. Are you aiming for New York City jobs? In which sector? Math is key for getting a job in some areas, but management consulting firms are looking for some history majors as well as economics majors and math majors , and its a matter of networking. Michigan has a good alumni network. Use it. I don’t honestly know what it gains you to transfer over to Ross , what do you think you will gain by doing that? I think networking is key and if you start to learn to network now with Michigan alumni, that will pay off better than transferring. Good luck! Penn is over ranked and a pressure cooker in a pretty gritty city. Penn students are less relaxed. Relaxation is key to life. Ann Arbor will serve you well, I think.
The idea that Arts and Sciences is a less strong education than Ross may actually be wrong! I mean look
at requirements and understand what you are getting in a liberal arts education.
Focus on getting into Ross. Take all their BBA pre-reqs, get involved in business clubs & activities, look for summer internships for related experience, network with Ross alumni etc.
UMichigan’s Ross is a POWERHOUSE business school – easily possessing a top 10 MBA program with all the strong alumni network it affords. There is no company you’d have heard of that would be swayed by an Ivy brand-name over Ross. Stay put at Ross for your undergrad and you can always go Wharton for an MBA.