I am just wondering because everyone says LACs have strong alumni directories:
but, the networks are super small especially at my current college (Williams)
Thoughts?
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I go to Bowdoin / Middlebury, and the alumni connections here have changed my life. Sure, there are fewer people to reach out to, but the people you speak with are more willing to talk to you and bat for you. Only at a NESCAC can you casually email billionaire alumni and share a meal or something LMFAO
^^Attend a different NESCAC and similar deal—managed to get a CXO at a firm oft-discussed here to talk to me just through a cold email
guess:
stanley druckenmiller and Bowdoin?
Nope ;)
Williams alumni in IB at some top banks (via LinkedIn):
Not a ton, but enough to make do. Plus, you have the rest of the NESCAC to pull alumni bases from.
This is pretty impressive. Many T30s and T20s don't have representation at top boutiques like Evercore, Centerview, or PJT.
I mean, it's Williams. iykyk
Should be higher no? Williams definitely puts up higher numbers
I’m a student at a LAC. Top 40 ish, so I’m not at Williams or anything but not a total shit school. While the alumni network in finance is smaller the majority of the alumni I’ve connected with have totally gone to bat for me and opened up doors.
I value smaller class sizes and a strong core program a lot. To each is own though. If I could go back and pick any school in the country I’d still go to a liberal arts school, but maybe Williams or something lol
LACs are extremely underrated you'll be fine good luck.
Go to the best college that you can get into. simple.
I went to a small non NESCAC LAC and literally every single alum responded and I cold emailed some incredibly senior people (global heads, CEOs, chairman etc) and they always introduced me to others. I was so clueless but they just care so much about giving back and helping more students from their Alma mater break in to the industry since only ~3-5 recruit each year and knew we would be capable so just gave us offers lol. I probably did 15 networking calls total sophomore year
I went to Amherst and it totally made a difference. I was able to connect with the alumni who were heads / partners of some pretty large PE / Credit / hedge funds and sourced a great sophomore year internship through them which then led to my junior summer banking internship.
Do you have any advice for the sophomore summer search? I'm currently at Amherst, and I've been struggling with getting one set up, which is getting really worrying now given how early SA2026 timelines are (there's a decent chance I'll have to apply with no relevant work experience). Thanks!
DM me
Went to a NESCAC school (not Williams) and have mixed experiences. Think of it as the difference between having a tight-knit group of friends versus a lot of acquaintances.
On one hand, law of small numbers does mean people are a lot more responsive to you and genuinely excited to make the connection. My colleague from Wharton does an exasperated "wow, can you believe it, another kid who wants to speak to me about finance!" every time he gets an email (probably >10x the frequency I do) whereas I will blindly go to bat for most anybody from my school. On the other hand, the network is only so big. When I was looking to get into software growth equity there were maybe ~5 individuals (at any level) from my school who could be helpful.
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