UCLA (with $$$) vs NYU

Question

Hi everyone,

Can I please get your opinion on this. I was admitted to UCLA with about a half tuition scholarship and to NYU with no scholarship. My ultimate goal is to end up in investment management (might have to recruit for equity research out of school). NYU is a better in overall finance, but I hear buy-side opportunities are very limited. UCLA seems to have a great student investment fund with lots of buy-side connections on the west coast, although it will be still really tough to land any without prior investment management experience. there doesn't seem to be many equity research positions on the west coast.

I know a huge factor is if I want to end up living in california vs NYC, but coming from the South, both seem like they'd be great places to live in. I think my personality is a better fit at UCLA, and all the students/alumni absolutely love UCLA, but NYU would naturally offer more finance opportunities being in NY. What do yall think?

Thanks in advance

aerien · Answer

Definitely think hard about where you want to be. Recruiting into Manhattan from UCLA is tough -- yes, you can land great finance jobs from there but you'll likely be in SF or Southern California.

It sounds like you like UCLA better but are looking at NYU because it's the 'right' finance choice. I know where you're coming from for sure but if I were you, I'd visit both campuses during admit weekend and see what the options are. Culturally they're pretty different and you might find you fit with one better over the other.

CobraKai · Answer

Unfortunately this is what it comes down to as UCLA places a huge chunk of their graduates in LA, and NYU naturally places in NYC.

It really depends on what type of finance jobs you're looking at. If you want wall street, NYU is the obvious choice. Otherwise, since you're coming from the south and aren't tied to either area, I'd do research on the two cities, not just the schools.

For instance, LA is very spread out, traffic sucks, but the weather is great, and places like Hermosa Beach, Huntington beach, etc, are a short drive away. New York may be congested, but it's very convenient to get around on foot or subway...even if you live in New Jersey.

Good luck!

asimov · Answer

This is posted in the “Part-Time MBA” forum, so I assume the choice is between the part time programs. My advice is to go to the school closest to you. It will make recruiting much easier, since you can just drop in on the company presentations, and network with the recruiters (as opposed to having to travel just for regular recruiting).

If this is for full time, you should really research a bit more about the opportunities to graduates as it relates to investment management. On appearance, both have similar placement rates Stern at 6% and Anderson at 7%, but it’ll be better to have a deeper understanding into these numbers.

jon757 · Answer

What the heck, I didn't mean to post it in the Part-Time forum. Thanks for the input everyone. I've done a lot of research on opportunities and specific programs in investment management, and I think it'd be really hard to break into from either (edge goes to NY). I've visited both schools and both were really great (edge goes to UCLA). I guess, like you guys said, it comes down to where I want to work afterwards. Going to move this to the full-time forum and get more opinions. Thanks again

CobraKai · Answer

Moved it to the appropriate forum. I figured it was in the wrong place judging by the schools in your profile and people don't usually choose between NYU or UCLA PT.

You've got a great problem on your hands.

codytravers · Answer

Dood, the other people nailed it. Go where you'd like to work after graduation. You'll have to network regardless of which school you go to.

old1442 · Answer

if you do decide on nyu or are really torn by the $. update them on ur accomplishments since applying, let them know they're your top pick, and let them know about the money to ucla. ask them to reevaluate you for merit scholarship.

first, like others said, focus on geography.

UCLA (with $$$) vs NYU

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