Any thing to help me get in to IB or business school?

I may be overthinking this...

I am 14 and recently discovered investment banking. I've done basic research and I find it very interesting. I know that it is a very competitive field, and so I have been trying to do some research to try to see what can help me get in. Is there anything that I could do while in high school to better my chances of getting into business school? The #1 IB school in Canada only has a 8% acceptance rate and now I am quite concerned.

Thanks!!!!

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Oh my, you are so young! It is so good that you are thinking so far ahead.

There are two main ways you can get into investment banking:

1) Right after undergrad: While you are in college, you will start applying for internships in investment banks. If you complete one of these internships and the bank is satisfied with your work, they will offer a full-time analyst position, to start right after graduation,

2) Right after business school: While in business school, you will start applying for internships and if you get one and you are successful, you will start as a full-time associate.

The single best way to improve your chances at your age is grades. Get good grades, not for your parents but for yourself. Challenge yourself. Can you get a slightly better grade this year than what you got last year? How about you start competing in math competitions? Start observing the high achievers in your class. Why this classmate of yours has a better grade than you? Is he smarter? I doubt so. Is he more organized? Aha, how about I take notes of everything and copy his organization methods. Become a better version of yourself every day.

Also, reduce the use of video games if you play. I spent countless hours in video games and honestly, they don't give you anything back. Don't stop them completely because you want to be able to talk to your friends about something.

In addition, start reading one book a month. Don't become a boring bookworm. Just start reading for yourself. To improve yourself. You are old enough to understand some books such as liar's pokers, barbarians at the gate, the big short and the smartest guys in the room. These are some classic finance books. 

Lastly, start talking to people about their jobs. Do you have any banker in your extended family? Talk to him. Do you have an uncle that is super successful? Talk to him and ask him everything. Become a sponge. Observe others and absorb knowledge.

In conclusion, forget about the expectations of others on you. Instead, set your own expectations. Work on yourself everyday. Invest on yourself by reading, studying, and absorbing knowledge like no one else. If you do these things, I can guarantee you that either you will get into IB or you will be so far ahead that you won't need to go to IB.

 

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