The field of investment banking is one that requires more than an undergraduate degree. To be able to enter the field it is necessary to have a particular GPA, an in-depth understanding and a strong network. Many prospective financial professionals are interested in which schools can be the most beneficial to the pursuit of their dream job.
Bulge bracket investment banks usually recruit for their analyst and associate positions from a small group of universities. They are also known as “target schools.” If you’re looking to get an entry-level job at an investment bank, it’s essential to attend one of these schools.
The top investment banking schools are those that consistently send an impressive number of grads to the biggest investment banks and have impressive undergrad placement numbers. Some of these schools have extracurricular activities or student groups that allow students to gain exposure to the industry including the Stern Finance Society and Booth’s famous finance course.
This year, Cornell is the best investment banking school, followed by MIT and Columbia. All three schools are Ivy League and have a tradition of sending their graduates to Wall Street. The University of Texas at Austin is a different school that made the cut. The McCombs School of Business offers the option of a finance track as well as a finance major.
It is much more difficult to gain access to an investment bank that is top-of-the-line when you don’t go to an accredited school. The most feasible option for non-target students is to sign up with an organization that is a regional middle market and then slowly lateral to an incline bracket.
