Im a 25 year old transfer student and military veteran trying to decide between Columbia University Financial Economics and USC Marshall Business Administration. Both are full rides with a monthly stipend.
Short term goal is to try investment banking junior year and gain real finance experience. Long term goal is to hopefully start up a business of my own within 10 years. Plan to stay in Southern California long term where my network, family, and relationships already are.
Columbia is obviously the more prestigious name and has stronger NYC finance recruiting. USC Marshall is well respected on the West Coast with a strong alumni network concentrated exactly where I want to build my life
Main considerations I’m weighing and things ive read:
Columbia Fin Econ is heavily economics and heavy math focused rather than practical business focused (and good god i really am not good at math)
USC Marshall is applied and business oriented which maybe aligns more directly with my goals.
My entire life plan i sorta had in mind is SoCal based. Columbia puts me in NYC for two years building a network in a city I’m not staying in but could be a really amazing experience though i feel like i am romanticizing it too. Maybe the reality would be me struggling in the library with insane math whilst balancing an internship (hopefully) as opposed to actually feeling/experiencing/enjoying the city. I think my strengths are best at Marshall but idk just am overthinking it all, am i foolish to turn down this Ivy? Just feel like i will struggle excessively. What do you think? I appreciate any and all input 🙏.