PE or IB for HF route?

Hypothetical here, but may end up having the opportunity to end up at PE for FT out of undergrad, as well as IB. Ultimate goal is to have a role at a HF a few years down the line. Is one side looked at more favorably for this route? From what I’ve read many do a 2 in IB 2 in PE and make the transition. Does this accelerate by going straight to PE?

8 Comments
 
Most Helpful

You'll have better direct exits into HFs if you're in a top PE analyst program, but after that would be top BB/EB banking. If you're serious about hedge funds though, you should target P72 or Citadel full-time.

 

Understood. Just applied to P72's academy. For more context i'm from a non-target and its unlikely I receive interviews for any HF roles, hence why I am looking to take the PE/IB route first to gain some footing. On the note of PE analyst program, it would be at a UMM PE, would that still be considered a preferable starting point?

 

Wouldn't let being a non-target program deter you. If anything, P72's program is probably the most accepting of non-targets out of any top-tier grad program from what I've seen. And yes any UMM program would be good. 

 

Just wanted to update you here. Think you were correct, made it past the initial screening so something to be proud of so far haha. Working on case study currently.

 

Quaerat quibusdam facilis sint fugiat rerum ipsum. Error aut placeat omnis nesciunt saepe. Quis sunt recusandae voluptas.

Vel ut expedita et odio. Perspiciatis sequi necessitatibus soluta aut suscipit voluptate qui corrupti. Veritatis molestias pariatur voluptatibus atque quia a. Consequatur cumque dolores rerum repellat et sed. Similique deserunt ullam soluta adipisci aliquam vel impedit.

Aperiam consequuntur doloremque reprehenderit sint nihil ipsum. Rerum facere modi placeat autem dolor. Quisquam quasi dolorum voluptate quibusdam.

Career Advancement Opportunities

August 2026 Hedge Fund

  • Point72 99.0%
  • D.E. Shaw 98.0%
  • Citadel Investment Group 97.0%
  • AQR Capital Management 96.0%
  • Magnetar Capital 95.0%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

August 2026 Hedge Fund

  • Magnetar Capital 99.0%
  • D.E. Shaw 98.0%
  • Blackstone Group 97.0%
  • Citadel Investment Group 96.0%
  • Two Sigma Investments 94.9%

Professional Growth Opportunities

August 2026 Hedge Fund

  • AQR Capital Management 99.0%
  • Point72 98.0%
  • D.E. Shaw 97.1%
  • Citadel Investment Group 96.1%
  • Magnetar Capital 95.1%

Total Avg Compensation

August 2026 Hedge Fund

  • Portfolio Manager (9) $1,648
  • Vice President (27) $464
  • Director/MD (11) $372
  • NA (9) $320
  • Engineer/Quant (83) $287
  • 3rd+ Year Associate (26) $284
  • Manager (4) $282
  • 2nd Year Associate (32) $253
  • 1st Year Associate (76) $193
  • Analysts (234) $178
  • Intern/Summer Associate (29) $145
  • Junior Trader (5) $102
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (276) $95
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
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
5
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
6
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
7
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
8
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
9
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
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...”