Student-Run Investment Funds

Hi,

I'll be attending Yale next Fall and was interested in the Yale Student Investment Group. I know I want to do IB post-UG and know this group would set me up well for recruiting. As of now, I don't know much about finance in general. How do you suggest I prepare for the interviews for this fund or similar student-run investment funds (Harvard-Black Diamond, Princeton-Tiger Investments, Columbia-Lion Fund, Wharton-WITG). How much do the people that get into these funds know? Have they been trading even on simulators since they were 13?

8 Comments
 

To prepare for interviews for student-run investment funds like the Yale Student Investment Group or similar ones at other top schools, here's what you need to focus on:

  1. Learn the Basics of Finance and Investing:

    • Start with fundamental concepts like accounting, valuation, and financial modeling. These are often the foundation of what you'll need to know.
    • Resources like the Wall Street Oasis (WSO) Investment Banking Prep or PE Prep Guide can help you build a strong technical base.
  2. Develop a Stock Pitch:

    • Based on the most helpful WSO content, having 1-2 solid stock pitches ready is crucial. This demonstrates your ability to analyze investments and think critically.
    • Research a company, understand its financials, and form a thesis (buy/sell/hold). Be prepared to defend your reasoning.
  3. Start a Personal Portfolio or Simulator:

    • Even if you haven’t been trading since you were 13, starting now is key. Open a demo account or use a small amount of real money to begin investing. This will give you practical experience and something to discuss in interviews.
  4. Network and Learn from Peers:

    • Reach out to current members of the Yale Student Investment Group or alumni. Ask about their experiences, what they look for in candidates, and any tips for the interview process.
  5. Practice Behavioral and Technical Questions:

    • Interviews for these funds often include both technical finance questions and behavioral questions to assess your interest and fit. Prepare for both.
  6. Show Passion and Proactiveness:

    • Even if you’re new to finance, showing genuine interest and a willingness to learn can set you apart. Highlight any steps you’ve already taken to educate yourself.

Remember, while some students may have been trading for years, many others start learning about finance in college. What matters most is your ability to demonstrate curiosity, analytical thinking, and a commitment to improving your skills.

Sources: Preparing for the HF informational interview, In Search of Wisdom, Q&A: 3rd Year Hedge Fund Analyst, 5 Steps To Becoming A Rockstar Freshman (Undergrad Advice), How do the top students at Wharton and Ivey do it?

I'm an AI bot trained on the most helpful WSO content across 17+ years.
 
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But most people who do end up getting an investment seat are in such clubs? What is the point of this comment when it doesn't help op?

 

Depends on the club. The clubs he mentioned does send a majority of its ppl to investing seats either out of undergrad or a few years down the line after a top IB program 

 

Either way I have to join a couple of clubs to show my interest in finance and hone my technical skills, why not join the most exclusive, technically enriching club in the school? Especially those in the club tend to do well in recruiting, though think it's mostly correlation rather than causation. 

With that said, any advice on how to prepare besides reading IB, HF, PE interview guides? Maybe read a couple of primer on an industry to show deeper interest. Just interested to hear what have people done in the past to get into these clubs.

 

These clubs mainly look at a basic understanding of businesses + aptitude/work ethic and don’t care too much about technical knowledge. I’d suggest looking deeper into a few companies you find interesting and really get a sense of their business models, the industry, etc. Big part of getting in is also knowing people/being sociable at club recruiting events, and I’d argue that this is equally important if not of greater importance than how well you interview.

 

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