Post Secondary Virgin
Hello WallStreetOasis, this will be my first post on this forums.
I'm currently a senior in an Ontario high school. My dream alike most people on this forums is to eventually break into Investment Banking.
With most of you having already graduated from a post secondary institute or are currently attending one, I was hoping you guys could give me some insightful advice in regards to what choices to make coming out of high school or in my current senior year.
The notable schools that I have in my area are Ivey, Queens, Rotman and Laurier. At the current moment, I don't have to grades nor ECs to get into any of these - would it be worth it to take a victory lap in highschool to get the marks and ECs apply for Ivey AEO status at Western? Or would going to a no name school like Ryerson or McMaster and then transferring in my 3rd year to Ivey be a better option?
Also what kind of ECs to get involved with in University to catch recruiter's attention (if they even care to begin with)?
Also what is the best time to get your MBA?
I realize you need some industry experience, but if you are able to attain this during your internships would it be a good idea to pursue an MBA coming right out of an undergrad program? Canadian or U.S. school?
I'm dreaming of landing a job on Wallstreet much like a young boy dreams of playing in the NHL (in Canada anyways) though I'd be about as happy on Bay Street.
Any insight to influence the choices I make for the next few years of my life will be very helpful, and I appreciate all responses.
Not from Canada so I can't comment on Canadian schools or "victory lap"
As for what EC, do a search on this site. MBA-with 3-5 years of work experience After undergrad--ABSOLUTELY NOT.
In stewardess (Robin Williams as the Genie) voice: "Thank you for visiting WallStreetOasis. Please direct all other questions you may have to the search bar located on the upper right side of the screen. Failure to do so may result in inordinate amounts of shit being piled on top of you. Thank you and have a nice day."
I thought MBA right out of undergrad was the new thing. I saw a piece on it in the WSJ as an emerging trend this cycle. Are people with MBAs right out of undergrad not getting jobs or so green they trip over their own dicks? If not, I could see why starting out on the MBA track 5 years earlier could boost lifetime earnings by a significant margin.
Not trying to harsh on you. Serious inquiry.
I thought "post secondary virgin" was going in a whole different direction...
liking the answers so far, anymore insights?
well Elitist Jerk, here is some advice. I suggest AGAINST the victory lap.
On a bright note, here is my plan for you:
You have one advantage over a lot of other students your age and that is you actually know (or am I being presumptuous?) you have some interest in finance. Quiet a few only find out about I-banking well into their college careers (including me -- I stumbled upon IB 1.5 years before graduation). Use this. Get into the best uni you can -- did you look at some of the other schools, including McGill in Montreal? Even if you were to end up at a lesser known school, here is what you do...
Year 1: Work your ass off (Im talking getting as close as possible to 4.0 GPA). Network from day 1. Try to get a decent finance related internship (even if its PWM) either during the school year or during your first summer -- would be even better if you did both. Sprinkle in some finance ECs here and there and really try to get a leadership role... almost every school has an investment club, but if yours doesnt, even better. Start one!
Year 2: Repeat all you did in Year 1 and more...plus now (assuming you did all of the above) you have a pretty decent shot at getting into a respectable SA program, networking will be key though. Also prep for transferring to a better school. Try to buddy up with some of your professors, they might be able to give you some very good letter of recs.
That should be enough to get you into Ivey. And if you continue along the same path, you might be one of the few who can jump from there to Wall Street.
Good luck.
Thanks for this post, I found it very helpful - though is there any specific reason as to why you are against the victory lap? Wouldn't it be easier (both financially and academically) to take a government paid victory lap to achieve Western BMOS acceptance with guaranteed entrance to Ivey granted I can maintain AEO status rather than going to a low key (we're talking very low key here, I'll be sitting in the low 80s due to a personal problem that greatly effected my grades) university and HOPING that I can achieve enough to transfer to Ivey in my third year?
But if it was me, I probably wouldn't want to delay my life by a year.
PM me if you want to discuss further.
if your a virgin dont get into IB, you ll never get laid
Completely agree with Mx. Sure it would be nice if you got into Ivey or Queens, but the top students from non-targets with enough dedication to IB break in every year as well.
work your ass off at a lower tier school while doing internships and transfer to ivey
Thanks for the answers so far guys, any ideas on how to pursue IB internships as a 1st year undergrad? Also the most effective way to network?
Just called up a bunch of volunteer places to get the ECs rolling for my supplementary form for AEO status.. Anyone know if extensive volunteer experiences will be good enough for my ECs?
As someone who went to a Canadian school, and interviewed for all those dreams you have there bud.
I will first off disagree with other posters on here, Canada unlike the US is whole other ballgame. Ryerson is like close to a community college when it comes to finance recruiting, it is far far non-target. Mcmaster is a good school and some do it make out alive to where they want, but again it will be very very tough.
Victory lap is your best, if you are so sure and know what you now. You will go in there kickass get 90s, nail the ECs and have list of Canadian targets to choose from. I have met kids from Queen's/UBC/McGill/Ivey who all did victory laps and then turned on the edge. Some people just find themselves a bit later than others.
As for ECs, focus on what your passionate about. That is what Queen's/Ivey looks for, quality and true passion so they can get some diversity and find the true talent. If your passion is sports, finance, music whatever find it and do it well. That is what stands out.
MBA, forget this come back to that thought in 6 years minimum. Your focus now should be kicking ass day in-day out.
The biggest issue you will find as a Canadian, is Canada is alot alot alot smaller. There is not hosts of MM and small shops. So all the same people interview for all the same firms/jobs. Bay Street in general is alot smaller.
Mx, if OP's options are Ryerson or so. I am sorry but he has no shot at McGill.
Thanks for the replies guys I'm really stressing about the extra curricular activities to put on my AEO application.. I'm not really involved in any right now, I called up like 10 volunteer places today and have my family asking around for something I can participate in... Any advice on what kind of ECs to get involved in to stand out? Will just a bunch of community service be good enough?
No find something your passionate about. Is it really that hard?
goto studentawards.com if you need examples of AEO accepted people.
Is there any essay in regards to my leadership qualities required for the AEO application?
^ OP - it's been awhile, so I can't recall what the application questions were. But it was 3 questions, 250-300 word limit for each. I think there were - 'why Ivey/what can you contribute or learn from others, personal traits... and I think 'what are your career goals'. I don't know, I'm too far removed from the process now, I'm sure they must have updated the application since.
But there's a section to summarize all your ECs and your specific contributions to them under different categories - Work Exp, Arts/Theatre/Music, Sports, Politics/Govt/Student, and something else. By that regard, they will have a chance to see what your leadership qualities are.
Is it possible to kind of bullshit your way through this process? Or do they really look into it
Qui sint a saepe molestias aut amet. Libero at ipsam minus ex eos et maiores. Optio consequatur et aut. Ut reprehenderit aut alias sunt doloremque ullam unde. Error dolorum nobis est excepturi illum. Laudantium est harum dolorem velit magni ipsam et. Dignissimos adipisci illo culpa quis.
Ea minus voluptates facilis laudantium corrupti accusantium quaerat. Unde enim suscipit sed qui nam voluptas. Ut occaecati culpa aut odit quo harum.
Id iusto quia porro eum. Sequi et commodi debitis officiis fugit fuga. Quas quam recusandae labore suscipit voluptas. Excepturi qui non ut similique. Eligendi ut consequatur accusantium. Suscipit officia id autem eius ut totam.
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...
Facere dolorum voluptatem voluptates id sit. Cupiditate sed dicta similique excepturi omnis. Quia maxime at et sit. Odio vero nam mollitia accusantium corrupti. In occaecati rerum voluptas accusantium. Libero aperiam ut vel consequuntur ut.
Autem dolore ratione nihil. Ea et sit qui nulla ut. Magnam dolorum voluptatem amet aspernatur reiciendis. Repellat nihil at dolor aut iure rem provident possimus. Quae doloremque animi non ipsam. Reiciendis vel sunt quisquam saepe sed.
Est quisquam maiores accusamus et fugit. Consequuntur accusantium hic error quo eveniet. Vel voluptate quibusdam ut sit vero odit a. In alias at beatae vitae vel. Voluptatem consequuntur modi illo temporibus dolorem at. Sunt at adipisci quis recusandae laboriosam.
Maxime ad nisi libero. Repudiandae quia aut exercitationem enim. Facilis id voluptates optio numquam eius exercitationem. Maiores numquam ad voluptas eos consequatur libero corrupti.