COLLEGE STUDENT
Hello Everyone:
I am a 20 year old college student. I just finished up at a Community College, and will be transferring to a 4 year school this fall. I am a student athlete (baseball), and am going where I get the most scholarship money offered. Hence the reason why I will not be attending an elite school. Now, I know the deal with BB's seeking top students from top schools. Although I know it is not impossible to get into, if not a BB, atleast a reputable bank, where I would make good enough money and have the chance to move up and grow. I like following the market and learning as much as I can about it. I know some about investment banking, but after seeing some of the posts on this site, I definitely know that right now I don't know enough. Basicly, what I would like to know is, being that I will not be coming from an elite school, how should I approach the situation for my specific case? I figured I would network my ass off, and since I live in NYC, harrass the banks until I land some interviews. Although at this point I am not polished enough to be an I-Banker, I truly feel that it is something i like alot, and can see myself growing into. I am naturally very competitive, team oriented, eager to learn, and trainable. And I love fast paced enviorenments. I mean I've been playing baseball since I was 5 years old. How much is who I know going to influence whether or not I "get in". Should I start studying for my GMAT's? Buying books and materials on how to prepare for interviews? How tough are these interviews, and what kind of questions do they ask by the way? What should I REALLY be doing at this point in time, to best prepare for hopefully a career in I-Banking?
Why would you want to prepare for your GMAT. Are you already planning for an MBA?
Well I've heard the GMAT is good for 5 years. I figured I might as well take it while things are fresh in my head. If i go into I-Banking or decide to go for my MBA ill be prepared.
It seems like you are taking your GMAT so as to get into banking. If that is the case don't worry about your GMAT for banking, you don't need it. But yea, if you plan on doing an MBA might as well prepare now for the GMAT while you have time.
don't harass the banks (bc you dont have anything to offer them)..harass your career center first. get to know everyone in there and make sure you know how to use their tools (online recruiting systems and job manuals in the office). is your school a business school? if so, they must have some kind of career programs for students. if they do, then are very selective. also, what will be your status when u enter the 4 year? sophomore, junior? your very first thing is to get that 4.0 gpa at the end of your first semester. then apply for internships.
i wouldn't worry about a gmat right now. if you do poorly it'll go on your record
I will enter as junior, but grades won't transfer from the 2 year school. I've heard applications for internships have to be filled in Sept.- Oct. I won't have any grades at the 4 year school at that time... so what do I do? try to get my hands on ANY firm just for the experience?
YES. do you have a decent grade from the comm college? if so, put that in for now. right now, just try to get any internship..one of those unpaid ones. but try to get in one of the BBs.
it's really hard for you to do a summer internnship right now since you're entering a 4 yr as a junior. i mean right now you don't even have a GPA.
Also, are you a minority? if so, look into SEO www.seo-usa.org. bust your ass the first semsetser and get 4.0. if you REALLY REALLY want to do a summer, then try to remain ur stat as a junior meaning taking less credits. if this is the case, then you would have to remain a junior for three semesters.
Fall - Junior (no gpa) Spring - junior (4.0, now we're talking) Fall 07 - upper junior (apply)
that's your choice.
oh yea i forgot. once you have a gpa, still apply around january - feb. you might get something./
You need to only do enough credits junior year to allow yourself to still be a junior come next fall, as in: 12 per semester...so you can interview as a junior in 15 months...
Good luck.
BB internships are applied for in the December/January time frame so you should have one semeseter of grades (Full time recruiting is in September/October).
Good Luck.
cackmenimble, i dont understand what you mean...take less credits to stay a junior when I am really supposed to be a senior? And, BJR.... I read on GS, ML and other BB's sites that the time to apply for the internships is Sept.- Oct.
You can do it if you try. Use your alumni network from the new school. Best of luck to you.
What about taking I-Banking courses, or microsoft office certifications? Would any of it matter or help me prepare?
greenbullets, so if i need 90 credits to be a jr... and i have 87 for fall 08.. technically i can apply as a junior? But, then again I will just make up those 3 credits and still graduate in 09...
*Ironically i'm in a similar situation - I just finished Community College and I will be attending Baruch in the Fall.
*I've been working in IB for 2 years - I've got my 7 & 63. *The dealbreaker for me thus far has been 1)Experience 2)My work ethic 3)The contacts i've made.
*Relationships are most important. I used to think that my GPA and work ethic alone would open doors, but when it comes to doing serious business and creating real opportunities; it's all about the people. - This is a Contact Sport; the more contacts you have, the more opportunities you can creat for yourself.
*You need to: 1)Get a job/internship and keep it throughout the rest of school. 2)Do your best to get sponsored for at least your Series 7 & 63. 3)Graduate with the best grades possible to compensate for not coming from an "Elite" school. 4)Keep and open mind and work your ass off - Figure out Specifically what aspect of finance you want to pursue and focus on that. -"HARD WORK CREATES LUCK"
Feel free to contact me directly at any time if you want to talk some more. If you're in NYC - I may be of help.
Facere laborum fugit ratione laudantium. Explicabo enim provident cumque distinctio consequatur voluptas odit. Eos vel itaque maiores eos. Illo porro eum beatae autem culpa sit. Quia culpa nihil quaerat in ab.
See All Comments - 100% Free
WSO depends on everyone being able to pitch in when they know something. Unlock with your email and get bonus: 6 financial modeling lessons free ($199 value)
or Unlock with your social account...