<p>I am currently a freshman at UCLA majoring in Business Economics. After a quarter and a half, I am pretty set on pursuing a career in banking. I ultimately want to work on the East Coast (preferably NYC), but I am beginning to understand that I am at a disadvantage since I am on the West Coast - my network with the east is limited. I am considering transferring to a school on the east... is it worth it? Will it be a considerable advantage? Obviously I want to try and get into Wharton, but a more realistic option would be NYU Stern and possibly Georgetown McDonough. My question is, given that I am accepted to those schools, would it be worth my while trying to transfer?</p>
<p>Disclaimer: I understand that transferring is difficult in itself, I am just asking if I should even try.</p>
<p>Idk what you should do as I have little information on ucla bank recruiting. However, ucla is, IMO, a better school academically and socially wise than the two you listed. I have heard problems about social life at nyu and Georgetown (you can definitely have a productive social life, just saying what I’ve heard ). Ucla is awesome and it will not hold you back from Wall Street.</p>
<p>I am currently involved with a business fraternity, and I have learned quite a bit. So banks recruit at our school, but only for LA and SF offices. For those that want to go east, you’re on your own. As for NYU and Georgetown, I am referring to the business schools only. I understand UCLA is awesome, and that is why I won’t be bothered if I do decide to transfer and am unsuccessful. Thanks for the comment anyway.</p>
<p>to OP from what i’ve heard from older friends/cousins in the industry you can get a job at an LA/SF office and then transfer after 1-2 years to a NY office. UCLA is one of the few west coast targets (stanford, berk, usc being the others) so take advantage of that. also, i’ve heard that west coast banking = way more relaxed lifestyle and almost comparable pay scale. some things to consider, best of luck!</p>
<p>Thanks for the response Toofast. I was not aware that transferring between offices was an option. However, is it not competitive to move to the NY office?</p>
<p>eklee. While I see no problem with working in the field of Ibanking on the west coast, if you wish to work on the east coast, I think transferring could be an option. However, I do think that you must show in your essay why you want to work on the east coast rather than the west and how the school you are transferring to can help you achieve the goal.
So may I ask? why east coast? why NYC?
Also, you have to make your decision pretty soon because deadlines are in a week (except Upenn, which is March 15)</p>
<p>Getting the job is the competitive part and then surviving the grueling analyst part is the next challenge. You make it through those two years and you’ve proven you can handle your stuff, you can get an office relocation.</p>
<p>On a completely random note, what happens if you join a fraternity and then transfer? Since you a brother for life, you are automatically another brother of the chapter, right?</p>