Community College to Investment Banking
Hello Everyone,
I am currently a sophomore about to transfer from community college to a four-year college. My goal is to break into investment banking preferably a BB Bank or EB Bank. Most of the target schools for IB require me to transfer in as a sophomore or freshman rather than a Junior, so I will most likely end up at a low-semi target such as UIUC, UF, or UW Madison.
Here is where I am currently at:
Major: Finance and Accounting
Minor: Computer Science
Internships while at CC College: Vita Tax Assistant - Spring 2023, Data Analytics Intern (Boutique Consulting Firm) - Summer 2023, Baker Tilly Audit Intern - Spring 2024, KPMG Embark Scholars Intern - Summer 2024
Clubs/Orgs: Accounting Club (President), PTK Honors Society (Vice President), Business Club (Vice President), Computer Science Club (Committee Member), Forensics Team (Speech and Debate)
Activities/Interests: Rock Climbing, Marathon Running, lifting, chess, and reading
GPA: 4.0
Questions: Are there any other transfer schools that I should consider? How can I network without an alumni network? When the application process opens before I have my transfer school in the spring for summer of 2025, how should I state my education on my resume? Is completing courses on Wall Street Prep enough to pass and help with technical interviews? How can I make myself a more marketable candidate? Any suggestions or criticisms on things I can do better?
I’d broaden your search outside of “Tier 1 BB or EB” coming from a community college. If you bust your ass you can land an IB role, but don’t chase perceived prestige.
I have a list of 100 investment banks on a spreadsheet right now with links to their internship page. My priority is definitely breaking in over prestige. My follow up question for you is more of how can I improve on what I am currently doing and make myself more marketable?
Nice, that’s a good start. My biggest piece of advice would be to have a logical story or “resume walk” that you’ve nailed down to 90 seconds to two minutes, it’ll be crucial in every call and interview. Also, ask genuine questions when networking — I’ve seen so many people shoot themselves in the foot by asking bankers about deals, etc. and just look stupid. You’re going about it the right way.
You didn’t include are you diverse or not?
if you’re diverse I suggest looking into SEO MLT all the programs u can and apply ASAP. Try to get a decent sophomore summer gig (which u can thru SEO) apparently there is a CC kid going to PJT rssg (he is allegedly diverse) so definitely possible.
unfortunately if your nondiverse, you should keep grinding but honesty the best thing you could do is get in the best school possible and when u arrive to campus extend ur graduation. That way you can network as a sophomore and then have solid experience as well. I know someone who did this and ended up at MF credit (he was non diverse he was a monster)
Honestly it sucks but maybe try ur best in undergrad and shoot for an MBA and u can try again.
the shittiest part about finance is no interns are value add to the firm, so usually the seats are filled on factors that aren’t applicable at all. Good luck u got this I’m supporting you!!
If I can get directly into UIUC business school as a Junior or go to UMich Ross but start as a sophomore. Which would you choose?
Umich as a sophomore. Uiuc isn't the best school for finance. Umich is a target on the other hand and good alumni.
If you go to Umich as a sophomore (assuming you keep grinding, getting good GPA and relevant experience) you will have a realistic shot at your "T1" EB/BB
I have a similar background and I would say the big advantage of transferring in as a sophomore is you actually have time to leverage your target school contacts in recruiting. When you transfer in as a junior you will have likely missed the opportunity to recruit with firms that start hiring in the spring, which is many of the EB's and BB's.
I have currently been reaching out to people who work in the industry via LinkedIn. I look up the company and my potential Non target transfer school which is UIUC and reach out to alumni saying I’m planning on transferring there since I have a high chance of getting in. Do you think this is a good strategy I could use to get an interview or potential internship at a middle market bank for summer 2025? I would also love to hear what helped you break in.
If you’re diversity just use SEO and you’ll land where ever you want. If you’re not diversity candidate you’re going to have to bust your ass off. I transferred to a non target state school and I was lucky to land 2 remote internship during the semester and 2 summer internships which gave me enough experience to recruit in July - October to some of the MM / LM IB firms still recruiting. Just a warning I was averaging about 50 emails a day and was non stop grinding. If you don’t care about your social life then you can make it work.
If you’re diversity just use SEO and you’ll land where ever you want. If you’re not diversity candidate you’re going to have to bust your ass off. I transferred to a non target state school and I was lucky to land 2 remote internship during the semester and 2 summer internships which gave me enough experience to recruit in July - October to some of the MM / LM IB forks still recruiting. Just a warning I was averaging about 50 emails a day and was non stop grinding. If you don’t care about your social life then you can make it work.
If you’re diversity just use SEO and you’ll land where ever you want. If you’re not diversity candidate you’re going to have to bust your ass off. I transferred to a non target state school and I was lucky to land 2 remote internship during the semester and 2 summer internships which gave me enough experience to recruit in July - October to some of the MM / LM IB forks still recruiting. Just a warning I was averaging about 50 emails a day and was non stop grinding. If you don’t care about your social life then you can make it work.
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