Second year Community College student looking to transfer to business school

Hey everybody new here and looking to get some insight and recommendations for continuing my education and getting the best job placement possible. (In whatever sector I ultimately end up in)
Currently entering my second year at a community college located in Central NJ. I am currently studying "Liberal Arts Business", which is a general business education curriculum created to transition well to a 4 year business school. (Specifically Rutgers New Brunswick) I currently have many different career aspirations, specifically in corporate finance or banking. I have always been very interested in financial modeling, money creation and the banking system as a whole, but also find a career in corporate finance interesting. I currently work at a mid sized accounting firm and have been working there since I was 17. (Currently 19) I work with firm administration and accounting staff in order to support day to day operations, such as overseeing renovations, managing the office supplies and billing clients. Recently have begun doing basic accounting work (tax and audit), have pretty much been told I have an accounting job upon graduation but am not really interested in accounting. I am going to begin applying to programs after this upcoming fall semester and would like to gain further insight and advice in order to get the job of my dreams. I recognize that there is a club of schools that investment banks prefer to hire from but am afraid most programs are not transfer friendly.
I will be looking to graduate with around a 3.8-3.9 GPA, have won multiple business related awards, have strong work experience working multiple jobs full time while attending school full time and am glad to say that I have a good network of professionals close to me on the street. I went to community college in order to save money, because I decided if I did not get into a top 10 program coming out of high school, trying to transfer from a community college may give me the opportunity to get into a better program. Probably was a mistake, but I will have 0 college debt with 60 credits. I would like to study economics, finance or accounting. (Although I do not desire to be an accountant, things change and that way I could pursue my CPA if I decided to, otherwise I will be able to comprehend a balance sheet well)
P.S., originally from Highland Park, IL and would consider working in Chicago as well
Options (or pipe dreams) are to follow-

Pretty much guaranteed admission in state-
Rutgers New Brunswick Business school- Study ACC or Finance, Graduate with no debt paid in full
Yes, I know Rutgers is a non target school but I do know multiple alum that have landed FO at a few NYC BBs, but you have to graduate top of your class and be persistent. This option would give me good placement in accounting, a good starting point for corporate finance but a bit of a stretch for IB.

TCNJ- Not really interested in attending but can pay in cash as well, similar to Rutgers but smaller alumni network.

Schools I may actually be able to transfer into- Michigan (Multiple family alumni), Northwestern, Vandy, Wisco Madison, IU and Cornell.

Super unlikely but worth a shot- NYU Stern, Cal- Berkley, Princeton (Recently started taking transfer applications, chances are very slim but 15 minute commute to an IVY would be a dream), and all the other target schools that I know chances are pretty much non existent but might as well try.

Interested in hearing suggestions for schools I should attempt to transfer in to along with how I should identify what career path is correct for me. I thoroughly enjoy working, and I am willing to invest 100 hours a week if necessary because professional achievement is something I take pride in. I am confident that wherever I end up going I will be able to achieve great things, but I desire to get into the program that will give me the best oppurtunity to get into an IB. I also find hedge funds interesting, and know a hotel and lodging exec that has good connections to multiple Chicago and NYC funds.

 

Getting ready to send apps after this Fall semester. Any advice on other schools I should apply to? Really starting to think going to RU for undergrad paid in full and trying to do a MBA afterwords might be the move.

 
Best Response

Mostly in regards to IB: IU is a good one for IB (has an IB club that is nearly a guaranteed internship or FT offer). You should get GA acceptance with ease. You can work your way into Kelley, I have many friends that have done it. It isn't easy though, and one bad grade in ANY class will ding you. Ross is of course solid, I don't know how IB recruitment works there. Should not have a problem for interning/working at F500 companies in finance or most financial positions though. Northwestern is growing and I would consider a strong semi, I know an intern who goes there and many of her friends are interviewing for solid MM or BB positions. Wouldn't recommend Wisconsin at all. Cornell and your long-shot schools are a reach, I agree you should apply because it cannot hurt. To my knowledge, those schools require a 4.0 for a transfer in most situations, but I could be wrong. Unsure on Vandy's recruitment IB wise but I wouldn't expect a ton, but for Corp finance and/or PWM you should be fine at all of those schools. Hard to offer more advice, and keep in mind this is just one persons opinion.

 

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