I am a R2 admit for UCLA, and am trying to evaluate some questions I have regarding the program. Does anyone know UCLA's placement for finance internships/careers (i.e. banking) in the Northeast/Midwest? Do firms from these markets recruit on campus, or are the opportunities mostly self-sourced? Obviously, UCLA has a phenomenal reputation for its finance program, but I'm wondering if it is mostly confined to the west coast. I am from the eastern part of the country and would like to return after graduation.
The employment report shows that only about 7-8% of grads go to these markets, and I'm concerned that making this transition would be quite difficult.

Any feedback from current students or alums would be greatly appreciated!

I'm not a student, but I think it's to be expected in a tighter economy that local industries will recruit from fewer schools nationally, and will fall back more on their local "feeder" schools to fill jobs and internships. That would be the advantage, I think, of an East Coast school if you're determined to move back there.

My advice would be to try to talk head-on to career services at UCLA about this very point, or reach out to recent UCLA alumni in the finance sector back east or in the midwest to find out just how much career services played a role in their placement.

And don't rule out falling in love with LA....

Thanks for the input!