Brigham Young University Investment Banking

I'm considering an undergrad degree at BYU, and I already know that IB is my goal, specifically M&A or FIG. Last relevant post about BYU was years ago...how is their IB pipeline? And how is their reputation on the Street? Thanks in advance!

 

@Devotedbanker The BYU brand gets stronger every year. BYU isn't a "target school", but it's DEFINITELY respected across the street.

Incidentally, I spoke with a VP a few weeks ago who said he "likes BYU kids because they work like hell and know how to hustle".

Spoke with an MD at a different bank (but also BB) who said that most recruiters look at BYU and say "okay, this kid could have gone anywhere, but chose to go to BYU b/c he's a Mormon" (No idea if you're Mormon or not). Bottom line, the brand will only help you. It will never hurt you.

 

Thanks so much for the quick feedback!

Definitely leaning towards BYU. I was accepted into a number of schools, including a target and another semi-target, but not sure if I want to take out tons of debt for a job I could get coming from BYU with no debt.

Plus I've heard great things about the finance program at the Marriott School. Skiing isn't bad either.

 

@Devotedbanker, good questions. I know that we like to hire as many BYU bankers as possible here at Goldman. They tend to be very scrappy, and not as entitled or cocky as we get from a lot of other places. Shocker, though--they're actually not all Mormons either. But universally hard workers and pretty dedicated group of people.

I'd disagree with @saynototheuniform in that BYU isn't a "target school." If it's not already, I'd say it's becoming one, especially since we built a huge office in SLC near BYU.

 
@Devotedbanker, good questions. I know that we like to hire as many BYU bankers as possible here at Goldman. They tend to be very scrappy, and not as entitled or cocky as we get from a lot of other places. Shocker, though--they're actually not all Mormons either. But universally hard workers and pretty dedicated group of people.

I'd disagree with @saynototheuniform in that BYU isn't a "target school." If it's not already, I'd say it's becoming one, especially since we built a huge office in SLC near BYU.

BYU places pretty good for a "non target" but this post is misleading. 99.999% of BYU is Mormon. If you are Mormon, that's great, if you aren't look elsewhere

 

@Devotedbanker honestly no one is going to consider your BYU resume next to a Harvard kid's. At least that's my first reaction. Like I guess we've hired a few of them at a couple of our locations, but unless you've had a really good internship and already know your technicals really well, it's probably not going to happen.

 

BYU is a target for our office (BB in the Bay Area), and we do turn down Stanford kid for BYU kid purely based on performance in the interview. However, I would still recommend Harvard / Stanford or other top elite schools if you have offers from them. School brand goes a long way in your life so don't make decision only based on banking offer rate.

 

If you like bigotry, I guess that you will find BYU amazing.

After all, it has limitations placed upon "expression with students or in public that: (1) contradicts or opposes, rather than analyzes or discusses, fundamental Church doctrine or policy; (2) deliberately attacks or derides the Church or its general leaders; or (3) violates the Honor Code because the expression is dishonest, illegal, unchaste, profane, or unduly disrespectful of others.

Oh, also: they tell you how to cut your hair.

Amazing school. Must get laid quite often!

 

If you really consider sacrificing your life and career in the name of religion, I would go for BYU. Drexel being on the East Coast won't help much with recruiting. I reckon it should be difficult as a BYU grad too, but you will still have better professional prospects overall.

 

As I understand it, BYU has fantastic recruiting. I'm absolutely opposed to Mormon doctrine, but Mormons are very friendly, law abiding, helpful, respectful, polite, and overall great citizens. And again, BYU has great recruiting and a fantastic reputation. I just don't understand why a non-Mormon, non-athlete would choose to go to BYU...

Array
 

Thanks for your replies,

It's because I'm an international and I have limited fund for my education. Therefore, BYU's cheap tuition is appealing. I'm getting a full scholarship at my current college, but it's such in business. I'm not a mormon, but I'm fine with religious circumstances.

How about MBA feeding? Do you know anyone at the top MBAs that went to BYU?

 

Wharton loves BYU

"Cowards die a thousand deaths, but the brave only one," Bill Shakespeare

Ace all your PE interview questions with the WSO Private Equity Prep Pack: http://www.wallstreetoasis.com/guide/private-equity-interview-prep-questions
 

@tybbal08: it's $8000 a year for non-Mormon. Still cheaper than most place. I also think they will try to convert me to Mormon but I've lived long enough to know what I believe in.

Does anyone knows about BYU's Finance? Business Week include GS in the top hiring firms for BYU grads, but I doubt it.

 
Sojourner:
You'd be surprised how many Mormons go to HBS/Stanford/Wharton.

I have a few colleagues in my firms who went to BYU and are mormons. They're nice people, and great to hang out or work with... I remember my career center showed us the rankings for "best career centers" in 2009, and they were so proud to come in 3rd. BYU was first.

anyway, i think it is one of the best return on investment for your education. Only problem might be you're not getting the US college experience you came for (you said you were international).

 

And lets face it... do you really think the majority of international students really get the American college experience? I've always noticed that a lot of international students (I'm thinking of asians) tend to be very cliquey and keep to their own. They don't strike me as the partying type. I'm not being racist here, but this does seem to be a cultural thing.

 
BretEastonEllis:
And lets face it... do you really think the majority of international students really get the American college experience? I've always noticed that a lot of international students (I'm thinking of asians) tend to be very cliquey and keep to their own. They don't strike me as the partying type. I'm not being racist here, but this does seem to be a cultural thing.

I an international student, and I definitely agree with this. I guess it's the same for international students of any country that you find people you're comfortable with, and can connect well with. Coming to the US is a daunting feat, away from home and everything, plus some are not that fluent in english as opposed to their native language.

I'm asian as well, so i definitely understand where you're coming from. However, it's up to the individual to go out and meet people and get out of his/her comfort zone. It's a cultural and a language thing, and I guess that's the same reason expats (british, americans, etc...) tend to hang out with themselves instead of the locals too... doesn't mean they don't get the experience...

 

From what I know, Brigam Young has the best accounting program and are reknowned for their ethics. Many of them have served these two-year missions for their church, giving them above average communication skills and extracurriculars.

As for firms, I've heard most BB firms either come to their campus or hire students when they fly out. Not sure if this answers your ?, but just what I know. As for those I have met from the university, they have seemed to be more than prepared and highly qualified.

 

Mormans are likely to pick BYU over Harvard. BYU, given its rank in USNEWs, places very well into top grad programs (law for one).

BYU into Harvard law: 29 last year Michigan: 23 Amherst: 19 Williams: 17 Dartmouth: 35 Georgetown: 32 MIT: 13 UVA: 19 NYU: 20

Obiviously there is a good number of very smart people at BYU.

 
sleepyguyb:
Mormans are likely to pick BYU over Harvard. BYU, given its rank in USNEWs, places very well into top grad programs (law for one).

BYU into Harvard law: 29 last year Michigan: 23 Amherst: 19 Williams: 17 Dartmouth: 35 Georgetown: 32 MIT: 13 UVA: 19 NYU: 20

Obiviously there is a good number of very smart people at BYU.

Because they're always reading that book of theirs. I'm telling you, they will give you a free copy.

 

Is there a correlation between lack of partying/sex that contributes to their ability to study hard and get into top grad programs.

Nonetheless, 29 placement into Harvard Law is very impressive.

 
das82:
Is there a correlation between lack of partying/sex that contributes to their ability to study hard and get into top grad programs.

Nonetheless, 29 placement into Harvard Law is very impressive.

yes, and no booze too
 

I personally know several people that could've gone, and did later for grad school, to any Ivy, yet they chose BYU for u-grad. The accounting program is always ranked top 2 or 3 (along with UT-Austin and UI), and their students are usually more mature (due to age) and focused on academics since there is no partying. The school stresses ethics and humility so generally they make great employees. You might not see many in IB or top tier finance because the family is also more important to them than career. Of the few that I knew who wanted to do IB, most of them are at places like Goldman, Lehman, or UBS.

 

The reason BYU has such high marks is because a lot of guys who COULD get into Harvard and other top schools for undergrad choose to go to BYU because BYU has people with their own standards. Also, these same people want to go their to find girls to date who they could eventually marry (sounds a little hokie, I know). I'm not one of those really smart guys, unfortunately, but I know several who are. My brother went to Wharton for undergrad but switched over to BYU because the people at BYU had the same standards he did (please don't take this in some sort of "holier than thou" type of way). My sister got a letter from Harvard when she was in high school, inviting her to apply for Harvard. She went to BYU and majored in accounting.

Also, many of graduates are older and went on two-year missions. I went on one and they are BRUTAL. You get up at 6:30 am EVERY day, study in the mornings and proselyte from 9:30am to 9:30 pm. You do this every day for two years (except one day per week when you spend from 9:30 am to 6 pm doing laundry, buying groceries, cleaning the apartment, etc.) If you do have time left after doing these things, you may relax and do whatever you like). You only have Christmas and Thanksgiving off. You can only call your parents twice a year (Christmas and Mother's day). You get rejected ALL of the time. It's not like you're selling pest control. You're selling your beliefs - something that's so much more a part of you than any product. Thus, when people reject you, it hurts a lot more. However, you just pick yourself up and move on. This type of experience really forces you to grow up. Also, missionaries are sent to places where they learn different languages. The CIA and FBI love recruiting at BYU because SOO many people know different languages. BYU has one of the top (at least, I've heard this - I need to research this out still) linguistics program in the US. This makes BYU students very marketable for international business.

I REALLY, REALLY hope that I didn't come across in any type of self-righteous or pious way. I really didn't mean to. This is just what I know and heard. Hopefully, this helps a bit.

 

BYU is fiercely competitive amongst students. Their undergraduate business program is what it's cracked up to be. I personally know BYU grads who have attended law school at Columbia, Chicago, b-school at Harvard (I know three of them), Columbia, Chicago and Wharton. Not surprisingly, these people as well as other BYU business grads I know have worked or do work for BCG, Bain, Bain Capital, Deloitte, Merrill Lynch, KPMG, McKinsey, Mercer Mgt. Consulting, Accenture, Skadden, and one that lives near me started his own private equity firm in Texas.

Like others had mentioned, their accounting program (both undergraduate and graduate) is consistently ranked 2nd or 3rd by the Public Accounting Report.

The students are usually a couple of years older, like others had mentioned, and are generally hard working and great communicators. BYU undergraduates get into many, if not most, top graduate programs around the world.

Not to mention, the cost of tuition is much, much cheaper than even most state schools. It is subsidized by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (both members and non-member alike get this discounted tuition). It is a very conservative school though, with stricter rules, which drives away many who are not members of the school's mother institution.

 

You're right, members of the Church get the cheapest tuition rates, but non-members really don't pay that much more and the rate they pay is still far below what you'd pay at most top-50 schools.

Was the original question about their b-school? Their undergrad b-school? or their graduate programs in general (MAcc, etc.)?

I have a lot of respect for their MBA program, but my guess is that in order to get into the more prestigious IB and mgt. consulting firms you'd have to do a lot of your won leg work. I.e., they most likely won't be coming to campus for BYU MBA students, though many big firms do recruit their undergrad students from the b-school.

 

Non animi nesciunt laboriosam quia. Laborum cum eligendi nostrum aliquid quod. Consequatur pariatur iste sequi voluptatem.

Eum quidem et ut libero. Molestiae aut molestiae temporibus non consectetur qui.

Et blanditiis perferendis officiis. Consequuntur laborum earum et eos qui sed tenetur. Sit dolorem nisi delectus corporis eum voluptatibus. Soluta alias ratione sit iure voluptatem odio. Ab adipisci quidem aperiam doloremque totam minima ipsa velit. Distinctio id eaque omnis itaque aspernatur et. Quis rerum eum veritatis.

Veniam et nostrum voluptatum maxime temporibus voluptatem necessitatibus est. Impedit natus totam voluptas deserunt sed. Id fugiat sint rerum excepturi ut ex quam in. Voluptatum qui eligendi nostrum autem officiis.

 

Hic earum temporibus laboriosam suscipit. Et ea eaque eius. Esse amet dolorum nesciunt quam.

Nobis sunt quis id vero. Corrupti necessitatibus voluptatibus at rerum sit. Aperiam vitae a nemo consequatur tenetur.

Assumenda dolores quod excepturi natus incidunt. Iste maiores quisquam saepe nostrum tempore quibusdam unde. Voluptate dolores provident eos voluptatem molestiae.

Sapiente eos suscipit porro voluptatem quae ut. Laborum sed error eum fugit facilis et molestiae.

I'm an AI bot trained on the most helpful WSO content across 17+ years.

Career Advancement Opportunities

March 2024 Investment Banking

  • Jefferies & Company 02 99.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 19 98.8%
  • Harris Williams & Co. (++) 98.3%
  • Lazard Freres 02 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 03 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

March 2024 Investment Banking

  • Harris Williams & Co. 18 99.4%
  • JPMorgan Chase 10 98.8%
  • Lazard Freres 05 98.3%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.7%
  • William Blair 03 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

March 2024 Investment Banking

  • Lazard Freres 01 99.4%
  • Jefferies & Company 02 98.8%
  • Goldman Sachs 17 98.3%
  • Moelis & Company 07 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 05 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

March 2024 Investment Banking

  • Director/MD (5) $648
  • Vice President (19) $385
  • Associates (86) $261
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (13) $181
  • Intern/Summer Associate (33) $170
  • 2nd Year Analyst (66) $168
  • 1st Year Analyst (202) $159
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (144) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
3
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
99.0
4
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
5
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
6
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
7
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
8
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
9
kanon's picture
kanon
98.9
10
numi's picture
numi
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”