Target Sophomore Seeking IBD/Hedge Fund in NY for Summer

Hi,
Got the WSO interviewing guide and loved it. Heard great things about the community, figured I'd give it a try.

I'm a sophomore at Wharton (undergrad) with a 3.7+ looking for something in IBD or at a hedge fund in NYC for next summer. Did corporate finance at Bed Bath & Beyond this summer. I am applying to all of the BBs, but most will not take non-URM sophomores (or if they do they take very, very few).

I am already pulling out all of the stops (networking my ass off, doing informational interviews in NY, cold-calling etc.) ANY help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!!!

 
Best Response

You'll have to look at some more uncommon routes- HF might honestly be easier for you for sophomore summer to break into than IB (anyone can feel free to argue with this), but most banks aside from very small boutiques have structured programs for juniors only (or as you mention URM sophomores). Hedge Funds tend to have much less formal, regimented programs and might be much more receptive to cold calling/hearing why you are interested and taking you on for the summer. I would think a lot of this stuff would be unpaid, but who knows, you might be able to negotiate for something- wouldn't worry about that for the time being, though. Utilize any contacts/connections you have. It will be tough but not impossible, particularly with your stats and (what sounds like) a very solid internship under your belt, for a freshman.

 

I know a current GS analyst from my non-target who got her first internship there in IM after her sophomore year. As far as I know she had a nearly perfect GPA, and was already president or a executive member of our business schools lead student organization, sorority treasurer, recommended when GS called the school asking for someone, etc.

 

I feel like current Wharton juniors/seniors would be in a much better position to help you out than 99% of WSOers, given the resources available at your campus. All the advice on this site? It's for people who don't get megafund PE firms doing OCR for analyst positions. Wharton is seriously on another level than just about anywhere else. I can guarantee you that some of your classmates have done hedge fund internships as sophomores at fairly legit places. Hit em up and they can tell you how they did it. Might even be as easy as "oh, the multi-billion AUM funds start posting their listings for sophomores around February. Just drop your resume when they show up, it's no biggie." (I'm joking, but only a little. This is Wharton we're talking about.)

Now, if you don't know any upperclassmen, join some clubs; the network you can develop...ridiculous. You'd be missing out on some incredible opportunities by not taking full advantage of it.

 

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