BMO 2024 Diversity Scholarship Thread
Just received an email for a first round. Anyone have knowledge/experience with this program and can shed some light?
Just received an email for a first round. Anyone have knowledge/experience with this program and can shed some light?
Career Resources
BMO Capital Markets' Diversity Scholarship is a solid opportunity for students with underrepresented backgrounds.From what I've heard, the process for that includes 2 interviews (in-person or online, depending on school). At least one of your interviewers will be MDs.Questions range from basic behavioral (why BMO, why IB, why school, why [major], strengths and weaknesses, a time when you failed, leadership etc.) to simple technicals about DCF/Trading Comps/Transaction Comps, case study questions about hypothetical companies (comparing EBIT/EBITDA, debt-equity ratios), accounting ($10 depreciation, walk through, know the line items, etc.).They've likely already begun to extend offers for those who have applied to it.BMO either accepts you as a Diversity Candidate and grants you a SA position, or if you perform well (but the firm doesn't want to give you the scholarship) they can accelerate your interview process (which may lead to further interviews) and give you a standard SA offer.I'd advise just applying to both, to avoid any cognitive or subconscious biases that may be attributed to diversity candidates.From what I've heard, culture at the bank varies (from sweatshop culture at Metals & Mining to solid MM deal flow in NY/Chicago). Take this last point with a grain of salt, since culture is highly dependent on group.