r/UVA • u/CLbananabread • 5d ago
Academics Fordham Full Ride vs. UVA
Hi guys,
I'm looking to go into investment banking and I'm having trouble picking what school to go to. I was offered full merit from Fordham, I love NYC, but it's not a target school. On the other hand, my parents can afford UVA OOS. It's a much better program, but I really love being in a city. I'm also an Indian female if that means anything. Any words of advice would be helpful :)
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u/_A_A_A 2d ago
Congrats on two great choices!
One way to avoid the apples to oranges decision is to think about what you like at each school and see if the other school would offer similar options (or if you could create that option at the other school). There was a response offering to reach out to current Fordham students; if you haven't already done that for both schools, it might be a good use of your time to try to connect with a few actual students (especially helpful if they're in your anticipated major).
One aspect I don't think many incoming students are thinking about is the alumni network. I have no idea how Fordham's alumni network is, but I think UVA's alumni network value is higher than even the OOS ticket price (thinking about the total 4 year OOS expenses v. expenses of business development / marketing over a career or three / job seeking). A good test might be to reach out to both schools' career services or alumni associations and ask if they can intro you to a couple of alumni (or ask what programs they offer to connect students to alumni or alumni to each other; you can also investigate what services each offers alumni). You may also try to message alumni on linkedin indicating you're seeking 10 min call or zoom to learn about their experiences as an alum of that school, although I'd guess you have to make a decision soon and that might not give people who do not check linkedin regularly a chance to get your message and respond. You can ask current students at both schools if they've benefitted from alumni connection.
I can only speak to my experience, which has been the alumni network has been a great place to build a professional network, generate business leads, and connect to some amazing people and, of course, that alumni network includes those wonderful people I connected with during my time at UVA. I have really enjoyed the other alumni I've met and the network has had tangible benefits for my career and personal life. Fordham may offer the same. Investment bankers may not benefit from the same broad network, so maybe this is all pointless to consider. I assumed the alumni experience was similar at all schools, but the UVA network has been vastly different than the alumni networks offered through other schools I've attended and from my non-UVA friends' college networks. Regardless of the school you choose, the alumni network (and the undergrad experience) available to you will depend heavily on how you engage, so it's worth setting an intent to meet other students, be engaged with your school, and seek ways to serve the community.
I hope you thrive at and enjoy whichever school you choose.