Equity Research Summer Analyst

Came from non-target but major public school, with previous internships in corporate finance and investment management. Applied to the program through the CS website, had a phone/skype interview in late November, received super day invitation in mid December, had a super day in the New York office in early January, received an offer the next day and accepted on the spot (otherwise I would have had 2 weeks to consider).

Initial interview was a 30 minute skype interview consisting of basic behavioral questions and asking me to pitch a stock. Super day interviews were largely the same, with 3 different 1-on-1 interviews with both senior and junior members of the ER teams. Seemed like the above all, the quality of your ability to pitch a stock and discuss the finer points of investments mattered.

Definitely come prepared with a contrarian stock pitch (ie. don't pitch Apple on stuff that is already clearly priced in). Be able to talk a little bit about broader markets (ie. where and why you see markets ending this year). If you really want to make a good impression, be able to intelligently discuss a company or two (or the industry) in which your interviewer covers. I wasn't told beforehand who my interviewers were so I couldn't come in with this info, but you should be able to recognize a name or two that the interviewer says he/she covers during your Q&A time.

Overall, I had a phenomenal experience interviewing with the firm, everyone was very relaxed, welcoming, and provided great insight into the quality of the program such that I turned down bulge bracket investment banking offers to join.