Need some advice on planning my route to i-banking!

<p>i'm an international student and i wish to get into i-banking or related fields after college. I would like to focus my study on quant in undergrad in case i cannot get a FO job in i-banking. Although I got into b-schools (washu, cmu), i think i'll focus on mathematics/computer science rather than finance b/c it seems easy to learn finance as a math major but the opposite seems.. pretty tough.. After some experiences in finance/banking, i might continue to work in banking/finance after getting MBA or quit and turn my career into law and become finance/banking-related lawyer (after law school). For this I'd also like to be engaged in social sciences like econ/poli sci. so i'm thinking double major in math/computer and minor in econ (or poli sci.)</p>

<p>And i've also heard that it's hard for international students like me to get a FO job. so i feel i should have some back up plan (back up job or boutique) by having more expertise in quantitative ability. That's why i'm planning to major in math/computer sci, especially because the schools i got into (washu, cmu) are not target schools. so i'll need to put some more effort into it. </p>

<p>As for colleges, I'm stuck between washu and cmu. Washu's b-school, Olin, seems a nice one but i dont think it is outstanding at getting kids to i-banking. On the other hand, I feel I can have great college experierience there, and I also love the easiness to study across several fields and double (even triple) major. Also what worries me is its reputation in the east coast where most of the major i-banking goes on, while CMU has a better reputation on the east coast and it seems like CMU sends more kids to wall st.</p>

<p>I am also wait-listed at Wesleyan.. and I'm interested in its 3+2 program with Columbia SEAS if admitted. I'm considering to write a letter to notify that it's my 1st choice school but i'm hesitant because it may be wiser to go to washu or cmu, then get a M.S. in financial engineering somewhere else, then head to the job market.</p>

<p>so my questions are:</p>

<p>1) what do you think about my career plan? Does it seem realistic?
2) any suggestion on what to study in undergrad?
3) any advice on college choice?
a. washu vs. cmu
b. Does the 3+2 program at wesleyan + columbia SEAS seem better than washu or cmu, if i get off the wait-list at wesleyan?</p>

<p>Please, please give me some advice. Thank you.</p>

<p>Though I cant answer ur first 3 questions, I can answer ur 4th</p>

<p>Be very cautious of the 3-2 program if you want financial aid. While Columbia guarantees aid for US citizens and PR, international student usually get between 10-20k per year for their 2 years there. So if you need substantial fin aid (anything >= tuition), forget about Wesleyan.</p>

<p>Even in that case, it takes a year longer. Olin and CMU are two great schools with great programs. Its really hard to decide between the two as to which is better to get into ibanking (since both are not targets and have equally reputable programs) However, since I have a bias for Wash U, if someone was to put a gun to my face, I will always choose Wash U (because of St Louis, and also since its v easy to double/triple major and minor at Wash U, and a second major can improve your chances for consulting/ibanking (think chinese or sthing like math)</p>

<p>Base the decision on other factors and which campus you feel you will prosper in, since both schools are very close in reputation.</p>

<p>PS The general consensus is that the best major for ibanking is economics hands down (it will be hard to break in through CS, since that is more for a (tech) operations position in an ibank) (read ‘Liars Poker’ if you still don’t buy that)</p>

<p>Let me be frank, a lot of that sounds like a huge waste of time. Now I understand your desire to be seen as having mathematical abilities, but you really need to be asking yourself where you are trying to go. To me it seems like you are aiming for two entirely different paths. On one hand you’re looking at brutal engineering, or at the very least quantitative finance that sets you up as going on to either pursue higher education towards a Quant position or a Sales & Trading role (in which case 3+2 is probably a waste of time).</p>

<p>On the other hand, you are talking about perhaps getting an MBA and/or going to law school. This leads me to believe that you are looking at the advisory side (M&A, product groups… traditional Investment Banking). </p>

<p>A Trader or Quant has little use for a MBA or Law degree unless he is looking to lateral, and likewise an Investment Banker has little use for upper mathematics. If you use calculus you’ll be pushing it (maybe with rates and stuff but that’s about it). </p>

<p>I think you should do a little more research about where you’re looking at ending up career wise, and if you aren’t so sure, don’t do such a specialized program because you think it will look good when applying to a Bank. Its quite possibly one of the worst decisions you could make.</p>

<p>Thanks a lot both of you.</p>

<p>rahimahs:
yea i’m considering washu over cmu! i think i’ll have great college experience there. your advice made me leaning even more to washu. i didnt know about the fin aid and stuff… i should think 3+2 over (60K and one more year of undergrad!) so thanks!</p>

<p>C-Revs:
thanks for reality check!</p>

<p>do you mind if i pm you and ask for some advice in my situation (i cant rly write them here…)?</p>

<p>Feel free to</p>