<p>I'm currently a college freshman thinking about transferring and just wanted some input from all of you. I'm considering investment banking or private equity (possibly consulting) as a long-term career. How good of a target is Stanford in this regard? I've heard mixed signals on this. If you can, can you compare Stanford to the other schools I'm considering applying as a transfer student to:</p>
<p>Harvard
Columbia
Penn-Wharton
UChicago
Dartmouth
Duke
(maybe) Brown</p>
<p>bump any suggestions?</p>
<p>My kids both are working in this field–one graduated from one of the schools on your list a few years ago and the other currently attends a different one. Judging from the other interns and interviewees they’ve met along the way at IB boot-camps and super days and on the job, Brown does not have much prominence. Brown seems far stronger in non-profit management and finance. Interestingly, S and D have run into practically no Penn-Wharton people in the mix for entry level IB positions. They have met Penn MBA’s, who were being looked at for different positions. Harvard is probably the strongest choice on your list, but you can get very good exposure at all the other schools too and my kids know econ. majors who are or were at all of them except Duke. I don’t know much about Duke, but would assume it’s good due to proximity to banking companies in Charlotte. I would also consider NYU, Cornell, and Washington & Lee if I were you. Not too long ago W&L had the best placement of any school at Goldman Sachs. NYU kids have great access to internships during the academic year.</p>
<p>Here is a relevant article. Discusses the decline of Wharton’s presence on Wall Street, and confirms Stanford and Harvard’s dominance, at least for undegrad: </p>
<p>[Wharton</a> Applications Drop 12% Over Four Years - WSJ.com](<a href=“Wharton Applications Drop 12% Over Four Years - WSJ”>Wharton Applications Drop 12% Over Four Years - WSJ)</p>
<p>Transfer to Stanford would be extremely hard. There were 29 students this year and 6 of them were affiliated with the military.</p>
<p>^^
</p>
<p>That article from WSJ speaks volumes about the zeitgeist and the “winds” that are blowing in favor of Stanford…for today…and into the future…</p>
<p>Yes. Stanford is definitely on the rise in the popular consciousness. In other news, Stanford has formed a venture capital company to be run by students which will invest in student or alumni start-ups. So a budding Wall Streeter can gain valuable experience right on campus too. [Stanford</a> University Is Going To Invest In Student Startups Like A VC Firm | TechCrunch](<a href=“http://techcrunch.com/2013/09/04/stanford-university-is-going-to-invest-in-student-startups-like-a-vc-firm/]Stanford”>Stanford University Is Going To Invest In Student Startups Like A VC Firm | TechCrunch)</p>