Evaluating My Chances

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Being still in undergrad myself, I'd say you have a chance if recruiting is realistic next fall. I don't know what your network is like, and I'd certainly recommend hedging with F500 positions, but you have a decent shot at least at MM

Thanks Drexel. Anyone else with responses?

Don't say MBB as backup - arguably tougher than a top BB, aim for mid level consulting firms if you want a backup, or regional IBs and F500 corp fin roles

on your main point....I go to a midwest, complete non target for banking in nyc/lon/sf or anywhere

your high gpa will help you, as well as the BB name on your resume. while it is MO, try to make the most of it, and recognize why you want to do banking, kick ass at the BB this summer, get an offer, and network like crazy

try to find alums from your school in banking/finance in nyc/sf or wherever...this was the key element for me, and i did my SA at a well known MM (with offer for FT), and am going to a well known boutique in nyc this summer

my stats were not as good as yours either: 1340 SAT, 3.6 gpa, no ECs at all really, but very strong WE my soph/junior year, and pretty good at interviewing. i would say my stats on paper were not as good as my friends at ivies who are at top bbs, but i still scored interviews at all the major BBs, but ultimatley just couldn't cut it past the 2nd or final rounds

alums are your best bet, network like crazy from now and over the summer, bc alums will be your best path to getting the interview....after that, it really doesn't matter if you went to harvard or howard

Agreed. The only way you would know is to go for it. I am the living proof that if you want it bad enough, you'll eventually get it (even if you don't, at least you tried your best). I went to a very non-target, 3.0 GPA in Econ with mediocre ECs. Did not go into banking right after school and had to lateral. Based on my stats, you'd probably think that I had zero chance in getting an analyst position, ever. But the reality is that I successfully lateraled into a top MM bank at a top group, and this was during the time when the subprime mess was unfolding. I had no connections at the bank whatsoever. So how did I do it? It just took a lot of patience, persistence, and trial & error. I networked like crazy and got as much advice as possible on resume writing/interviewing. I also read this forum everyday, practiced all the sample interview questions as often as I can and prepared every interview at least a week in advance. Because I was an experienced hire, I also perfected my financial and modeling knowledge (something that is not required of you but definitely won't hurt). And of course, luck does come into play but that will help only if you have done all your homework.

So good luck to you. If I can do it, you can do it.

Check out the career mentoring website Gotta Mentor... it has a huge library of advice and people to meet! www.gottamentor.com

Your chances for MBB are extremely small, much worse than at a BB.

TheFullMonte before I spend time and money training, getting my resume reviewed, and networking my ass off, I want to know if I have a shot.

Absolutely nobody can answer this for you. A website that evaluate your chances? How about common sense: We're in a recession. Hiring is down. You're from a non-target. Your chances are not good, like the majority of people in your situation. You can sit here and stress about your future or you learn how to use the search button and maybe try and improve your chances.