I’m a rising sophomore who is wondering how hard the diversity programs are to get into at the BBs. I’m completely clueless about how it works, so anything would help. Do you interview for them, and if so how would I practice for them.
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They all tend to lead to accelerated interview processes
Some have phone screens (e.g. Barclay’s Springboard program), some don’t (e.g. Citi Early ID)
You should check their websites periodically to see when their applications open and apply directly through there.
thanks a lot. Have you ever gone through the process or have you just heard from others?
Went through a couple at BBs and EBs for sa2021 recruiting and have a couple coming up
Forgot to mention that you should practice for them by ironing out your answers to behavioral questions (I.e. why banking, tell me about a time when...) and to questions about deals you’re following
Are there any technicals? also if they don’t have pre-screens then are you guaranteed a first round interview or do they still choose who to interview?
the GS undergrad camp had an acceptance rate of 3% a few years back. Would assume it’s historically been around that number.
this was for the NY office btw.
oh wow, any clue what the acceptance rate for the other banks are?
seems low
Attended a few during my undergrad, all were through online applications only (didn’t have to network for a spot). It’s mainly for underrepresented individuals in finance, specifically POC and/or LGBTQ+ groups. 50% of those diversity events led to an expedited superday within a month or so. And by expedited I mean they generally accept these underrepresented students before their regular recruiting cycle, so make sure you have all your interview prep done if you get accepted.
I'm a POC and I qualify for the programs, i'm worried because I've heard that they're pretty hard to get into in the first place and I go to a super non target school. Guess I'll apply when they open up and see what happens
Alot harder to get in the normal way for any white or asian.
...
It's not "easy" but it's significantly higher acceptance rate than general pool
Source: diversity talent committee at my BB
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facts
you still need to be qualified but your chances of being lost in some application black hole is way lower
Wrong. The bar is way lower, by design (and explicit instruction from HR) — that’s kind of the point. Different debate if you agree with decision or not.
Source: Interviewed for ~3 years at “top” bank, diversity and general pool.
What are my chances if I go to community college. I’m going to CC for 2 years due to money issues I’m planning to transfer to a target or semi target in 2021 but I’m scared I won’t be taken seriously just because I go to CC
As someone who was involved in recruiting, this is patently false.
I knew a smart friend in my college who was in the program. The dude was lazy and slacked off hard in his classes, but really smart. The program guaranteed him an interview, and he ended up interning and then getting a ft offer for BX in one of their internal strategy/product groups with a 3.0 gpa lol His classmates were all ivy leaguers with high GPAs.
If you can perform well in an interview, you're set.
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if you’re a diversity case, pretty easy. if not, nearly impossible.
Much easier than the normal processes. If you can't manage to get an offer in an easier and accelerated process where HR is telling bankers that they need to hire X amount of POC etc, you truly don't deserve a spot at all.
I mean I agree to an extent. At the same time there are only so many spots available for diversity, so some people won’t get selected. That doesn’t mean they don’t deserve a spot though. If someone works hard, networks harder and studies interview guides then they definitely deserve a chance
Experience going through diversity at an EB: ~150 applicants —> 20 invited to event/automatic first rounds —> 5 invited to a super day —> 2 offers
This is just one data point, still competitive but I’d say as diversity it is definitely easier to get that first round with no connections
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