Hi everyone! I’m in my final year of high school and really struggling to pick between two universities. I want to work in investment banking or private equity after graduation but I’m not sure which school gives me better chances.
My situation:
- Living in the US but don’t have citizenship yet
- Want to work in finance (specifically IB or PE) in America
- Cost isn’t a problem for my family
- Fluent in English, comfortable with international settings
Option 1: Rotterdam Business School (Netherlands)
- 3 year bachelor’s + 1 year master’s program
- Really well known in Europe for finance and economics
- Would graduate with master’s degree by age 22
- Great international reputation and connections
Option 2: University of Texas at Dallas
- Traditional 4 year finance degree
- Not considered a top target school for banking
- But I’d stay in the US for networking and internships
- Easier access to American finance companies
My main worries:
If I go to Europe, will US banks even consider me? I know it’s already super competitive to get into investment banking, and being an international student without a green card makes it even harder. But the European school has much better reputation globally.
If I stay at UTD, I’m worried it’s not prestigious enough for the top finance jobs I want. But maybe being physically here for internships and networking events would help more?
What I’m hoping to find out:
- Does anyone know if European finance degrees work well for US banking jobs?
- Is it realistic to aim for American IB/PE without US work authorization?
- Would staying in Texas give me better long term career opportunities?
- Does the faster European program outweigh the location benefits of staying in America?
Thanks so much for any advice! Really appreciate insights from anyone who’s been through similar decisions or works in finance.
The visa situation complicates everything no matter which school you pick. But Rotterdam Business School has some real advantages you shouldn’t ignore. European finance programs usually give you stronger quant skills and global perspectives that US banks actually want now. Plus you’ll graduate faster and start working with better credentials.
For breaking into US markets - major investment banks do recruit from top European schools, especially for London offices where you can transfer internally later. Your international background might actually help you stand out in a global industry.
That said, networking is huge. The relationships you build through finance clubs, alumni networks, and internships matter more than school rankings sometimes. UTD being close to Dallas finance gives you real advantages for making those connections.
Here’s what I’d do: finish your European degree to max out your credentials and global experience, then go after US opportunities through networking and maybe an MBA from a target school later.
Stay in the US if you want IB. My cousin faced this exact choice - he’s Canadian and picked a decent state school here over UofT (way better reputation). Even with Rotterdam’s solid rep, you’ll hit the visa wall that makes everything 10x harder. Bulge brackets already hate sponsoring, and recruiting from overseas is brutal. You’ll miss networking events, coffee chats, and random connections that actually land jobs. UTD isn’t target, but being there for internships and connecting with Dallas/Houston finance alumni beats having a fancier degree that needs sponsorship.
Timing is huge here. Investment banking recruiting starts sophomore year for junior summer internships - that’s just how it works. Rotterdam’s accelerated timeline will actually hurt you since European recruiting doesn’t match US banking schedules at all. At UTD, you’d hit the proper timing for sophomore networking events and junior year recruiting that leads to full-time offers. Dallas has a solid finance presence too - Highland Capital, regional offices of major banks. Sure, UTD isn’t a target school, but being close to these opportunities plus following the standard US recruiting timeline could make up for the prestige difference. Your visa situation will be tough either way, but at least you’d be competing on the same timeline as everyone else.
neither option will magically open doors to goldman sachs. rotterdam might sound fancy, but us banks barely know european schools exist unless you’re talking oxbridge or insead. and utd? that’s not even close to target territory.
if you’re dead set on ib, you should’ve applied to ivies or at least rice/ut austin. without citizenship, you’re already fighting uphill - most banks won’t sponsor visas for random undergrads anymore.
maybe consider community college then transfer to a real target school if money isn’t an issue?
honestly, if ur not a citizen yet, i’d stay in the us. visa sponsorship for investment banking is getting really tough - most bulge brackets won’t bother unless you’re coming from wharton or similar. utd might not be a target school, but u can still land summer internships at regional banks or boutiques, which is huge for breaking in. plus, it’s way easier to network when ur actually here.
Great questions! Rotterdam gets you into the job market a year earlier with solid credentials. That head start could make a huge difference for your career.
