Columbia VIP Chances

Curious to hear if anyone is familiar with typical profiles of those admitted to Columbia’s Value Investing Program (VIP). It’s unfortunate that you need to commit to attending CBS prior to knowing if you can join the organization which greatly improves prospects of making it into a “T1” HF. Outside of strong stock pitch quality in the interview, what are typical profiles of those 40 students who get in (e.g., prior PE experience, gmat score, etc.)?

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Honestly, I don't think background matters a ton. It's much more about the pitch and interviewing than anything else. I know a couple guys whose backgrounds are nothing you'd expect for a program like that who got in. PE/IB/AM-exp prior is most definitely not a pre-req. 

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I was in it. It’s not hard to get in to if you are committed to working on the buy side and schmooze with the woman who gatekeeps the program. There are a few “check the box” things you need to do for your application that any 2Y can tell you when you go. 

FWIW the additional courses and network of your classmates through the VIP are what make it valuable, the access it gives to elite HFs is overstated; if you have the right background those will be available regardless, or like another poster said many only hire from HBS/GSB. Also, I had multiple friends who intentionally didn’t join the VIP because of the workload who wound up at good funds regardless. 

 

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