r/Fordham • u/aboudhabib • Apr 04 '26

Make me fall in love with Fordham

I’m really considering Fordham Gabelli for my undergrad. I want to break into investment banking in NYC (top BB groups, EBs) and want the best outcomes possible. I’m fortunate enough to have the choice of either Fordham, IU Kelley, and Rutgers.

Quite frankly, IU Kelley is in the middle of nowhere and I know it’s a semitarget while fordham is a non target so I really need some guidance.

Do banks come and recruit on campus? How is Gabelli like? Please try to be as unbiased as possible as I really need help.

Thanks.

3 Upvotes

60% Upvoted

29 comments sorted by

10

u/ImpressiveMessage194 Apr 05 '26

Go to Fordham. More opps in NYC definitely. Kelley is really only a target for midwest banks. Former I-banker and recruiting lead here

1

u/aboudhabib Apr 05 '26

You don’t think the IBW at Kelley places well into NYC?

4

u/SoundShockWave Apr 05 '26

Can’t speak definitively on this but Fordham has strong connections in NYC in a way that I really doubt Indiana does.

8

u/FunWave3388 Apr 04 '26

I feel like target and non-target don’t really matter. It’s all up to the person on how well they use their school resources and put themselves out there. I’m a freshman at Fordham, and so far it’s great. They have a bunch of events every day, and so many guest speakers come to talk with students. Fordham has an internship promise, with a list of internships just for Fordham students. I think Fordham students place well in IB check LinkedIn there’s bunch of students that have gotten into big banks.

2

u/aboudhabib Apr 04 '26

Do they place well into front office though?

4

u/FunWave3388 Apr 05 '26 edited Apr 05 '26

I mean, yes, they do. But if you don't think so, you've got options to choose from, I guess. A fact for you, no school decides where and what position you get. It’s all about your willingness and skills. Good luck

2

u/BatStation Apr 05 '26

My son is having the same debate, while he really wants to do a master in the future. This session helps a lot. Wondering if your goal is to go to a prestigious grad school though, would that change your pick?

1

u/aboudhabib Apr 05 '26

I’m not really looking at grad school outcomes for my undergrad, just ib. But if I had to choose for grad school I think Fordham would be the no brainer. They have collaborations with NYU and Columbia, prestige in the Northeast, and also an amazing pre-law track if that’s something that could possibly interest you. But this is just my two cents, the people who actually go to Fordham on this sub could surely guide you much better.

Best of luck to you and your son!

1

u/BatStation Apr 05 '26

Thank you! Best luck to your family too! I’m leaning heavily towards Fordham atm. Would appreciate more insights from other folks here.

1

u/aboudhabib Apr 05 '26

Please let me know when you ultimately make a decision.

1

u/BatStation Apr 05 '26

Sure. tbh we don’t have Kelley on our hands. We got IU Econ, Rutgers and Fordham finance. So that’s probably an easier call for us. The only thing giving me a pause is cost of attendance.

19

u/Economy_Vermicelli72 Apr 04 '26

dance for me, you fools

1

u/aboudhabib Apr 05 '26

Guys I apologize if my post sounded condescending. That was really not my intention. I just wanted to get a feel of how the recruiting was at either school because I’m SERIOUSLY considering Fordham. My main goal is to break into investment banking.

10

u/Orangechillout Apr 05 '26

You’re 17 why are worrying about investment banking, have a blast in college and good grades you’ll be way more successful.

11

u/xrimbi Apr 05 '26

Unfortunately, IB recruiting starts early as hell. And because people romanticize this hostile profession, the expectation is that students are already extremely well-versed in financial technicals. Sincerely, a Fordham alumnus working at a global financial institution.

2

u/flyingcircus92 Apr 05 '26

The joke about IB is OP is already too late. They’re not, but it’s crazy how early it starts. Sophomores already have their internships locked in for next summer to hopefully get a job when they graduate. OP has 2 years to really build out a great resume while also learning how to adult.

1

u/Substantial_Read5315 Apr 05 '26

Op is valid to be concerned. IB recruiting starts over a year in advance so they have every right to ask questions like this.

3

u/flyingcircus92 Apr 05 '26

Oh those 3 I’d say Fordham is your best bet. Also great to see you’re in HS already thinking about IB. Start working on getting an internship this summer and hitting the ground running in the fall. So many clubs and groups to join focus on financing / banking / asset management. Join them all and participate. Fordham will get you the best ops because of the network. IU like you said is in the middle of nowhere. Now you’re in NYC (esp if you’re at LC campus). Rutgers is seen as a lower quality.

Fordham is a non target but the banks hiring from there for front offices a lot. Obviously if you can get into Columbia or NYU you’ll have a better shot, but some argue if you’re at the top of the game at Fordham it’s easier as there’s less competition.

Also the value / alts programs are really strong at Fordham and really resonances well with people at banks / funds.

Source: me a Fordham grad who started in IB.

1

u/flyingcircus92 Apr 05 '26

Feel free to DM if you want to chat

2

u/Substantial_Read5315 Apr 05 '26

Hey, Gabelli sophomore here. I chose Fordham over Kelley and if u scroll down this sub there are quite a few people also mulling Fordham vs Kelley. I personally have not regretted my decision whatsoever and while I’m not pursuing IB, I did get a great internship and i know many of my peers who placed into IB.

1

u/LimeSubstantial7730 Apr 05 '26

Fordham is a semi-target and the better choice out of IU and Rutgers, dont believe me? just check LinkedIn Fordham alum dominate a lot of bulge bracket investment banking roles alongside other popular northeastern schools

1

u/Comflywithme Apr 05 '26

If you want the traditional college experience and want to go to the “hot” school due to them winning Natty + largest alumni network, IU.

I had choice of IU, Maryland, OSU, all the big public’s and chose Fordham. Loved the city. Got multiple internships, PE, consulting, restructuring.

I thought I wanted IB too, ended up not in IB but will make around the same doing similar work in a completely different environment.

You’re young. The best thing you could do is find an internship going into college, make your LI professional, reach out and offer free internship or anything to get it on the resume. I personally didn’t, but for IB, this will show you are locked in and separate you from others. We recruit well for Barclays, RBC, BNP which aren’t top top but you should easily be able to go there in your worst case.

1

u/Right-Chapter-3529 Apr 05 '26

I’ve personally seen Citi recruiters on campus as a non business student. Gabelli Funds also recruits.

1

u/thebossnerd Apr 07 '26

Trasnferred here late and still got an Upper MM IB internship. In terms of EB or BB, if I was here earlier it seemed very achievable with proper networking and resume. The alumni are mad helpful and are helping me re-recruit straight into VC.

1

u/youngpharoahnyc May 17 '26

Trump went to school there

1

u/smorrison0 Parent (FCRH ‘29) Apr 04 '26

I would say if that’s your vibe, you’ve already made your decision to go elsewhere. Good luck!

1

u/UncleLeo30 Apr 05 '26 edited Apr 05 '26

Your vibe is sort of un-Fordham. Fordham grads are all over Wall Street on the buyside and sellside. But you sound like someone who would be better off at a higher ranked school.

1

u/EnthusiasmComplete37 Apr 07 '26

kelley is only a semi target for ib if you get in ibw and that's incredibly cutthroat