<p>I am now choosing between Penn/Dartmouth (would honestly be happy to go to either school) and Rutgers, the state college of New Jersey. Rutgers is offering me a full ride whereas Dartmouth and Penn are asking for 30,000 per year.</p>
<p>My family is middle class, maybe upper middle class-combined annual income of around 120,000. </p>
<p>I want to enter finance, Wall Street, etc. and I was wondering if spending the 30,000 per year for an Ivy was worth it. Many people have told me an ivy offers invaluable opportunities to network, contact big companies, etc.</p>
<p>So, here's what it boils down to:</p>
<p>1) Should I do Rutgers undergrad instead of Penn/Dartmouth and
2) If I do an Ivy, should I choose Penn CAS or Dartmouth</p>
<p>I guess it comes down to what you ultimately want from college. Whether your main and single consideration is Wall St job placement or if the actual college experience at the different colleges options is a factor, topped off with the different financial situations you’d face in each. For internship opportunities/job placement I’d go with Dartmouth over Penn unless you’re at Penn Econ/Wharton, and both Dartmouth and Penn over Rutgers by a long stretch.</p>
<p>Your situation was almost identical to my own situation, right down to the 30K per year cost/choosing between Penn and Rutgers/even the family income. Not going into details but ultimately I chose Penn because a) family found out it would affordable over all four years and b) and it really did have its opportunities that Rutgers didn’t have.</p>
<p>I love Rutgers, will always root for the Scarlet Knights in sports events, and, unlike what I’ve heard that is said about it in Penn, will never talk negatively about the school. Ultimately, Penn is the better choice if you’re going into finance, especially Wall Street. The experiences you can get from an Ivy renowned for its business opportunities is unmatched.</p>
<p>I presume you got into rutgers honors program ?
[Honors</a> Programs at Rutgers?New Brunswick | Rutgers?New Brunswick](<a href=“http://nb.rutgers.edu/academics/honors-programs]Honors”>Undergraduate Studies | Rutgers-New Brunswick)
Ultimately it is your call, no one can predict the future.
But if you graduate tops in Rutgers and avail of all opportunities, you will be well positioned either way. It is a personal choice. it is like choosing to be a big fish in a big pond or small fish in a big pond…?</p>
<p>I see seniors here posting about working in Wall street and I-banking and all that jargon, but honestly go where you can avail of internships, have a great GPA and get involved in your school (clubs etc). Careers will follow.</p>
<p>I would really visit all the schools before deciding.</p>