I’m currently in the college decision process and I’m seeking opinions and insights to help me decide between the business schools at UNC, Notre Dame, Georgetown, and UMich. I’m looking to study finance with the goal of getting into investment banking in New York. I am a low income student. Here is where I’m currently at with schools:
UNC - I’m an Assured Admit into the Kenan-Flagler Business School and I’ve been awarded the Morehead-Cain Scholarship (full 4-year merit scholarship/leadership program). I really like the summer experiences and unique opportunities that Morehead-Cain provides. I’m unsure how well KF places into IB firms in NY.
ND - I have been guaranteed admission into Mendoza. My first year is fully funded (will have to apply for aid every year and hopefully receive a similar aid package). So for all intents and purposes my cost will be the same as UNC. I really like ND’s social/dorm life and their strong alumni network. I think ND has decent placement with NY IB firms.
Georgetown - I’m waiting to hear from them on April 1st. Hoping for a good aid package if I get in. GT meets 100% need so I’m expecting a similar aid package as ND. I hear GT/McDonough places really well into investment banking firms in NY.
UMich - Admitted into Ross. But it will cost me 25k a year more than UNC/ND. This would be a financial hardship so it’s hard to justify $100k for Ross over my other options.
Any thoughts about employment outcomes, curriculum, social/dorm life, etc. at these schools would be greatly appreciated. Feel free to include your opinion/ranking about which school I should choose.
I agree that Morehead-Cain scholarship status at UNC is the safest choice among your options.
Michigan is too expensive & your aid package from Georgetown has not been received yet.
Why limit your options to Investment Banking ? The Morehead-Cain scholarship & mentoring at UNC may open your eyes to other opportunities. The summer experiences can provide valuable mentoring, insight, & connections.
If determined to focus on IB, Keenan-Flagler grads do well in the real world.
Morehead-Cain trumps everything else. Its opportunities are incredible.
I could see hesitating with a free ride from Notre Dame. In terms of prestige it’s the same as UNC with Morehead-Cain. The difference will not be placement (both will place well) but rather fit. If you’re Catholic ND would offer a very Catholic environment for instance.
I’d personally still pick UNC for everything that comes with Morehead-Cain though.
(I wouldn’t pick G’town over these at this point, in part because you’d have priority for everything with the MC and G’town is exceedingly competitive for everything, even clubs, and you’d be at the bottom of the totem pole).
With these two choices, you can’t go wrong, congratulations.
I’ve worked with several Morehead-Cain graduates over the years and every one has been an impressive individual. That is one hell of a program, and I’d have a hard time encouraging anyone to forsake it.
Definitely consider the Morehead-Cain! My D graduated from KF in 2017 (not a Morehead Cain) and works in IB in Charlotte (we live in Charlotte and she loves our city). She has many KF classmates who were placed in jobs in NYC (although, after COVID, almost all have relocated to cheaper cities since everyone is remote). With a degree from KF, I’m sure you can work in whatever city you want!
This site (Top Feeders to Wall Street) has information on top feeder schools to Investment banking. Congrats on your acceptances - you have excellent choices to pick from !!
Morehead Cain is one of the truly elite scholarships on par with The Jefferson Scholars program. It will open up doors simply not available (as they are literally reserved for Morehead Scholars.) Their alum go on to best in class banking, consulting, think tanks, gov’t, law, start ups, etc. The network alone is incredibly valuable and the programming will provide lifetime memories. Would be a shame to pass that up over a singular focus on banking (which may change as it does for many). And it will open banking doors at top firms anyway.
I’d like to ask a question to the commenters on this thread, since many of you are very familiar with the Morehead Cain at UNC. Would you choose the Morehead Cain over Harvard (no aid) for a pre-med, possible neuroscience major student? She’s worked very hard, and we want to do right by her. Thank you so much for your time.
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