I'm about to enter college for my finance degree, so have a few months. I want to learn to model. I bought the elite modeling package here, but was wondering if anyone had other ideas, such as case studies to look into. Any advice appreciated.
| +161 | As Lehman people reconvene at UBS, Barclays needs to hire (2023) | 23 | 17h |
| +133 | Is pay at BofA really that bad? | 64 | 3h |
| +90 | Day at Macquarie | 12 | 1d |
| +80 | Worlds Worst MDs Competition (2026 Edition) | 17 | 2h |
| +46 | How bad did I mess up | 10 | 1d |
| +45 | Is the life of a VP at a 'top-bank' really good? | 15 | 4d |
| +31 | Misrepresented Houston IB | 14 | 1d |
| +29 | No BB RO 2026 | 10 | 3d |
| +28 | JPM SMALL CAP or WF/JEF/RBC Coverage group | 13 | 1d |
| +28 | Lindsay Clancy - Thoughts from A2 | 5 | 1h |
Career Resources
Get instant access to lessons taught by experienced private equity pros and bulge bracket investment bankers including financial statement modeling, DCF, M&A, LBO, Comps and Excel Modeling.
You are way too early but If you want to recruit for IB, would much rather spend time learning technicals than modeling. Modeling won’t be tested in interviews
Where should I learn technicals?
BIWS 400 questions is where you start
Modeling helps a lot with technicals because you actually understand the concepts as opposed to absorbing a book of technicals and just vomiting them out in the interview like its a multiple choice exam
That’s what I was thinking
Do SAs even get to model?
Maybe for an intern project or basic updates in the model (i.e. changing the forecasts/assumptions) but SAs aren't out there doing heavy model work, or assumed to come in with any modeling knowledge
OP, look up networking guides on here for where to start. You have a while - see if you can land something finance related after freshman summer, maybe a PWM internship, and start networking early in your sophomore year.
I thought learning it would help me build a broader understanding
How much should I coming SAs be stressing about prepping rn?
thx
Idek man I’m not even incoming lul
Not at all. SAs are expected to have the Excel/modeling knowledge of a kindergartner... in my training, they started with teaching everyone what Ctrl C and Ctrl V were.
Might be good to learn an index match and index match match - that one stumps just about every SA in their first two weeks. Know what "set transparent color" and "align" are on PPT if you want to flex on your intern friends while you align 50 logos. Brush up on any recent deals or news in your coverage for some working knowledge.
Officia facilis temporibus quos sit. Rem nisi qui excepturi reprehenderit.
See All Comments - 100% Free
WSO depends on everyone being able to pitch in when they know something. Unlock with your email and get bonus: 6 financial modeling lessons free ($199 value)
or Unlock with your social account...