How true is this

i would say very true...if non-target, you need to network.

that sucks, I looked thru the alumni network for the school, and the only people who listed themselves as mentors working in IB, worked at Bear Stears and Citigroup the 2 that are already recruiting on campus. + from talking to all the analysts from the school that came back to do presentations, they all had a 3.97, and were a Pres or VP of the investment banking club.

Well atleast you have two banks recruiting at your school. You don't need to have a 3.97 to get a job (hopefully you have a decent GPA though). If you have enough to get a 1st round interview, which should be easier if they come to your school, then you can impress them with interpersonal/soft skills.

I submitted tons of applications through BB websites and never got a single answer, even with a 4.0 GPA. I assume they're just not looked at. When I submitted through the school's career network, I got lots of interviews.

How about if you submit your resume directly to a recruiter from the bank by e-mail/mail, to their personal e-mail. Assuming, none of them is an alumni of the school you go to (and most likely there is not even 1 person in the bank from that school), would they just throw away/delete your e-mail or would they at least look at it (scan your resume)? And you don't go to a target school, just a mediocre state school.

if they don't know you, then they will probably just toss it.

it is very difficult to get noticed if you go to a non-target school. ibanks have set up channels at each school they recruit at and they tend not to deviate. for them, its just about filling up the analyst class with acceptable candidates.

i cant stress this enough, if you go to a non-target you MUST NETWORK (with alums or anybody else you can manage to have a convo with).

do you guys think its easier to get in from a non target to a Middle Market bank/Boutiques?

also I know its easier to get the interview if they recruit at my school...but Citigroup for example had a Site visit session this week, and in order to go there you needed a 3.5 gpa...250 people showed up from my school, now my guess is that half of them want to do IB, so thats 125 people competing for 12 or so interview spots.

oh yeah my gpa is 3.5 but major gpa is 3.8. Some ECs, and leadership experience, but no summer internships because I've had to take summer classes every summer.