<p>I got a likely to Dartmouth and am now waiting on HYP and Penn (Applied to CAS since Wharton is absolutely ridiculous to even attempt and I don't have a huge business-based profile). I hope to study econ and finance and hopefully enter investment management0 or fund management while pursuing a Wall Street career.</p>
<p>Until I got my likely, Dartmouth was always a TAD lower in my mind compared to HYP and Penn-However, recently, I've been learning that Dartmouth is 2nd to none in finance and is even called "Goldman Sachs" on Wall Street. The percentage of finance jobs they send and the alumni network they have is amazing.</p>
<p>I don't think I'll get into HYP or Penn. But going to Dartmouth, could I rightly tell myself that my undergrad education and the opportunities I'll have are no less than those I'd have at HYP or Penn? If so, why is Dartmouth never mentioned in the "big mix" of HYPPC?</p>
<p>As much as my education is important, I want a big paycheck, as would most of you-does going to HYP vs Dartmouth confer a significant advantage in this regard?</p>
It may be because the graduate school at Dartmouth is not as well known. Even the professional schools at Dartmouth are not as well known as those at HYPSC.</p>
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You do seem to have the practical mindset that fits that career path. LOL. At some other schools, many students may be, relatively speaking, too much into other activities during UG years that have little to do with a big paycheck. (PhD/research track, or “worse”, social actism or music/art where there is no money in it.)</p>
<p>BTW, I heard that to get into that career path, although the alumni network is useful, the familial connection is even more effective. For many students at many top private schools, their parents are successful professionals whose connections are even more amazing than the alumni network. It helps come the application time (for applying to both the all important intern job and the job after graduation.)</p>
<p>I am a Yalie who has worked in finance going on 20 years. Whether you got to HYP or Dartmouth will have zero effect on your ability to secure a position in Finance post-graduation. The Street, hedge funds, etc. are filled with Dartmouth grads (as they are with HYP grads) and the Dartmouth degree is equally respected among finance professionals. If anything, Dartmouth alumni network is really strong and Big Green grads go to great lengths to help each other. Dartmouth, along with Williams and Colgate, really punch above their weight when it comes to Wall Street recruiting.</p>
<p>I love Yale immensely but I have also harbored a secret affection for Dartmouth. Go where you feel most at home – a happy student will mean a more productive college experience, better grades, and a better likelihood of securing your dream position.</p>
<p>But how would this have “zero effect”? Finance companies (top ones) often recruit from the top schools, so I was wondering if it was worth getting a dartmouth degree with 80 k of student debt rather than going to a local college for much less money, or a less reputed college like Rutgers?</p>
<p>Is it also necessary to have a grad degree for a top b-school to make it big in the finance world and reel in a big paycheck?</p>
<p>Dartmouth is one of the top 5 feeders into finance, its in no way below Yale in this regard. Its going to be almost impossible to get into a top banking job from a non-feeder school like Rutgers. There is a big cliff when it comes to finance recruiting, you need to go to a “feeder” school. Also you need to have the 2-3 year post undergrad analyst experience to “make it big”, so if you miss the boat for a feeder undergrad its hard/ impossible to get into high finance even with a top MBA later on.</p>