Selecting the right Business school (undergrad)

Student Lounge International Students
1

Hi,

I have been offered admission into the following business schools (undergrad) and I would really like some advice on choosing the right one for me.

  1. Indiana University - Kelley
  2. UIUC - Gies
  3. Northeastern - D'Amore McKim
  4. Wisconsin Madison - School of Business
  5. Purdue - Krannert
  6. UMass - Amherst Isenberg
  7. Penn State - Smeal
  8. U of Toronto - Rotman (Canada)
  9. Queens - Smith (Canada)
  10. UBC - Sauder (Canada)

Cost is not a deciding factor, as fortunately my Dad is funding my education completely :slight_smile:

I am an International student (Indian citizen) and would like to pursue a career in US after completing my graduation. I am primarily interested in Investment Banking & Financial Consulting. Therefore, a major deciding factor for me is access to good internship opportunities (& campus placement assistance) in IBs and top consulting companies. The number of International students and college vibe could also be important considerations.

I have gone through Poetsandquants for undergrads… but any kind of additional information in this regard would be really appreciated.

2

The reality is that getting into IB or top consulting (MBB) is going to be very difficult. As an international student you can not assume that you will be able to work in the US. Also, the schools you have listed are not really target schools. Not saying it is impossible, but it would likely require a lot of side hustle.

3

Of all the schools you mentioned here - the schools that I know where some investment banks have recruited are:
Indiana University - Kelley
Northeastern - D’Amore McKim
Do not know about the schools in Canada.

I rememeber seeing a sub site that had Kelley Students in Banking - I think its their college web site - try looking it up.

4

It would be easier to get permanent resident status in Canada with a Canadian degree than to get it in the US with an American degree.

5

OP: Consider placing the three Canadian schools (Toronto, UBC, and Queen’s) at the top of your list.

6

Don’t limit yourself with business in undergrad. You’ll have to get an MBA with a business major as well.

7

Not sure that I agree with the statement regarding the necessity of undergrad business majors pursuing an MBA.

Many opt for one year specialty masters degrees instead of an MBA, while others can advance without leaving full-time employment by earning professional certifications.

8

I don’t agree either. MBAs and Masters degrees in business are on a downward trajectory. They may be valuable if you have a non-business undergrad and want to get into a business focused career.

9

OP: If you earn an undergraduate degree in Canada, it is fairly easy to obtain the required status to live & work in Canada.

If, after earning an undergraduate degree in Canada, you want to live & work in the US, then consider earning a STEM certified graduate degree–which should enable you, as an international student, to remain in the US to work for at least 3 years instead of just one year.

10

For the general student experience I’d pick from 1-2-3 and of your goal truly is to stay 8-9-10.

11

If there are no changes in the OPT rules, with a bachelor degree in business you will be able to remain here and work for 12 months after graduation - assuming of course that you can find an employer who will hire you for that time period. Many students don’t. After your OPT time is up, you will have to leave unless you somehow magically find an employer who can get you one of the nearly impossibly rare H1B work visas.

So, if you are hell-bent on studying in the US, contact the international student offices at the places on your list and ask where international students with your major have been successfully placed for their OPT. If they can’t tell you that, cross them off your list.

Otherwise, ditch all of the options that aren’t Canadian.

12

Thank you for your responses… they have been very helpful. I am actually considering a dual major : Business and a STEM subject… which I believe will allow me to stay in US for 3 years instead of 12 months after graduation.

13

If you’re in the business school, it can be very difficult to major in a science subject in another college and impossible to major in Engineering.

14

To qualify for the OPT STEM extension, you don’t just need a STEM major, you job has to be related to that STEM major. You can make that argument as a statistics major working in investment banking, but not as a biology major working in accounting.