Questions from Incoming Undergrad about Recruiting

Hey everyone, I'm new to WSO so sorry if I break some norms. I'm an incoming undergraduate studying CS and math at UMich this fall. Now, I know that's not Princeton/MIT that everyone on this site seems to be choosing between, but I was wondering what tips you have for me early on.. In high school, I did some competitive math but honestly I never made it past AIME. Regardless, I've made a list of different coding/math/quant practice resources, and have started studying a probability textbook.

I know roles at top MMHF are spectacularly difficult, so I'm also wondering what types of disadvantages I'll be working with going to a school that, as far as I know, isn't a top target. Even compared to Berkeley, Cornell, Columbia etc. (schools I'm sadly waitlisted at), would you say there is going to be a pronounced difference with regards to getting interviews and getting past them? I've connected with a number of different UMich students/alumni who have been able to secure internships/jobs at firms like Citadel, JS, Optiver, etc. so I know it's possible, but if so, why does the sentiment seem to be HYPSM or bust? Is it the school, or is it just more likely a student at the caliber of a top quant firm would attend Harvard? Would appreciate any help in correcting/confirming what I've gathered, or any advice in general. Thanks.

1 Comments
 

Distinctio repellat voluptate sequi expedita est. Ipsam incidunt enim quis velit nihil atque. Assumenda qui consequatur rerum numquam libero. Dignissimos et unde expedita ea sed quisquam reprehenderit. Iusto voluptas ea quia eveniet neque quam.

Et consectetur ut optio error repellat ut ullam quisquam. Ut porro eum qui veniam repudiandae sunt autem. Officia ad in hic aut magni eos quia. Et facilis ut vel aut. Inventore ut non consequatur est illo assumenda.

Perferendis nesciunt ea molestiae rem rerum. Ratione similique nisi assumenda non quidem accusantium. Magni molestias nihil vel assumenda ea voluptatum.

Modi dolorem hic dicta animi omnis. Qui fuga commodi fugiat ut. At quis dignissimos mollitia eligendi culpa quia quam. Occaecati est maxime earum.

Career Advancement Opportunities

October 2026 Hedge Fund

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

Overall Employee Satisfaction

October 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

October 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

October 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 (235) $177
  • 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
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
4
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
5
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
6
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
7
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
8
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
9
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
10
Linda Abraham's picture
Linda Abraham
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...”