“My mentoring session with Andre was extremely valuable and gave me the clarity and direction I needed at an important stage of my application journey. He was kind, approachable, and generous with his time, creating an atmosphere in which I felt comfortable sharing my experiences, asking questions, and discussing my doubts openly.
One of the most helpful aspects of our conversation was his guidance on how to organize and communicate my personal story. Andre helped me understand how to connect different experiences into a coherent narrative, identify the elements that matter most, and explain their significance more clearly. His perspective was fundamental in helping me see how to present my background with greater confidence, purpose, and authenticity.
I particularly appreciated his advice on what to avoid. He helped me recognize that including every detail does not necessarily make a story stronger, and that being selective can make a message much more effective. Our discussion gave me a clearer understanding of how to avoid unnecessary repetition, keep my narrative focused, and ensure that each part contributes something meaningful to the overall application.
Andre also provided valuable guidance on how to organize the application process itself. He helped me think more clearly about priorities, how to approach the different components, and how to make the work feel more manageable. Having a clearer structure has made a difference to my mindset: instead of seeing the applications as one overwhelming task, I now feel better equipped to approach them through specific, achievable steps.
Another important takeaway was his advice on how to use the coming days effectively. Our conversation helped me understand where to focus my energy, which tasks deserve immediate attention, and how to establish a realistic plan. I left the session with a stronger sense of direction and a better understanding of how to balance thoughtful preparation with consistent progress.
What made the experience positive was the combination of practical guidance and encouragement. Andre offered suggestions in a considerate and constructive way, helping me reflect on my choices while also making me feel supported. His kindness made it easier to engage honestly with the process and to see areas for improvement as opportunities to strengthen my applications.
Overall, this session was fundamental in helping me understand both what I want to communicate and how to move forward. I now have a clearer approach to telling my story, organizing my applications, avoiding common mistakes, and planning the next few days with intention.
I am very grateful for Andre’s support and for the care he brought to our conversation. His advice gave me useful tools, renewed confidence, and a more focused approach to the work ahead. I would highly recommend a session with him to anyone seeking thoughtful guidance, practical direction, and a supportive space to develop their application narrative. The session helped me turn uncertainty into a clearer plan, and I feel much more prepared to make the most of the time ahead and present my experiences in a meaningful and convincing way.”
Get an offer first.
I'm pretty sure apollo doesn't have an analyst program. Nice try though.
You should rank them in terms of which one gave you an offer oh wait....
I'd rank all three as hard as fuck for anyone, let alone an undergrad.
I interviewed for Blackstone PE as well as for TPG PE as an undergrad. Blackstone had a totally standard recruiting system and training program just like you'd see at a BB for an IBD position. I'd say they have the best known analyst program in PE and it might be the single best place to start for a PE guy... it seemed like the job would have been totally sick, and the pay was very solid too. TPG doesn't typically take analysts, so the people didn't really know what kinds of questions to ask me and where literally borderline afraid of me (they feared I was some sort of super-connected big shot and I might end their career with a text message to daddy). That was a strange interview. The primary question the 2 associates asked me was "how did you get an interview?"
Anyways. From what I've heard Apollo doesn't have an analyst program... and I'd agree with everyone that you ought to at least get an interview somewhere first before deciding which "offer" to accept.
So...how'd you get an interview with TPG?
The only way you can in college (or I think the only way you can)... my dad asked a very senior MD if it was okay if I interviewed and then that guy said yes, as a favor to my dad. I went into it knowing I wasn't going to get a job though... but I figured it was worth going for practice, if nothing else... I was surprised I did well enough on the phonecall to get a live interview - that seemed like a victory at the time.
The MD at TPG had worked with my dad many years ago so they had a good relationship.
Nice...how did the interview go? Were they not planning on taking an analyst and interviewed your because of the connection, or was there a chance you could have gotten it?
I really don't know if I ever had a chance, but I'm guessing i had a TINY chance - like just incase I somehow blew them away... when they called me on the phone it a more senior-ish person, like a VP i believe, who spoke to me for a while about my interests, why I was interested in PE, etc... then he asked me to do a few long, broad case-study type questions... stuff about, for example, what types of follow-on acquisitions I might make after purchasing an industrial/manufacturing conglomerate in the farm equipment industry... etc. I was a humanities major in UG, but I knew a lot more about business / strategy / operations than he was expecting (my dad ran/owned/sold manufacturing companies... and i had been drilled on business stuff since birth - literally). I guess I surprised him a bit and then I got invited to NYC for interviews. I got screwed once the technical finance questions started coming (about valuation, modeling etc.)... I knew absolutely zero about all that at the time.
int. pymp;
would you care to re-create an example of how the valuation modelling questions are asked? I suppose I am looking to get an idea of what kind of information needs to be a reflect and to what depth knowledge should be expected? I have applied to a few roles where the questions were simple: i.e. how do you calculate wacc, what's in a pitch book, etc etc. that would be hugely appreciated..
I know a junior in W who dropped for Apollo's summer analyst program on their on campus recruiting website... he's an undergrad, so I guess they do recruit undergrads?
He also mentioned that a senior had a full-time for Apollo PE from W.
^Yes, Apollo does recruit undergrads. At least for Wharton they do
The questions they asked me were RELATIVELY simple as far as finance tech questions go... but at the time I didn't really know how to answer them. The reality was that I knew a lot about business, so I felt cocky, and despite the fact that I knew nothing about finance I thought I could use my "business acumen" to figure anything out.
They asked me some finance question that required knowledge of business/economics and I got those correct.... stuff like "why might you choose to hedge your exposure to raw materials more in X___X manufacturing company than you would at Y____Y company... even though they are both exposed to price fluxuations? How else might this company hedge against other risks, knowing what you do about it's operations, etc..."
Sadly enough, the things they asked me that I didn't know were simple questions about calculating WACC, what happens to the accounting statements in X scenario, etc.... I just figured they wanted to know that I was smart, but didn't care I hadn't taken accounting, etc.... I kind of learned my lesson from the TPG interview, and studied a bit for Blackstone, but I still got dinged because of tech questions there too - had I only known how big an opportunity that was at the time I'd have studied a lot more. Anyways - I was young and reckless : P
thanks for all the SB's on this thread gentleman... I got KILLED with 30+ monkey shits on another one earlier...
Autem repellendus porro velit tenetur magnam. Officiis voluptates consequatur quia qui suscipit voluptas rerum omnis. Magni magnam repellat et est. Natus explicabo incidunt quasi odio odit rerum placeat.
Tempore ex alias nisi in quo non. Vel quaerat voluptates perferendis fugit dolores quidem quia.
Nulla odit quae magnam recusandae laboriosam. Voluptas provident omnis qui impedit autem eligendi. Alias et neque saepe ut delectus aliquid ut ex.
Et nesciunt corporis quae necessitatibus sit modi. Error velit recusandae vero quibusdam. Necessitatibus qui nam est.
See All Comments - 100% Free
WSO depends on everyone being able to pitch in when they know something. Unlock with your email and get bonus: 6 financial modeling lessons free ($199 value)
or Unlock with your social account...