Incoming freshman at Harvard—how do I prepare for club applications this summer?
Hey y'all,
I'm a senior at a prep school (Andover/Exeter), and my actual finance exposure is pretty limited (leadership in school investment club, fin lit comp win) since I applied as a history major. I don't have prior banking experience, but I know that some people show up to campus with technical knowledge and a few internships. This summer, I'm trying to get exposure at a small advisory firm, but regardless of whether that works out, I want to build skills that will both help me in the long run and in landing some finance clubs on campus.
What kind of prep do y'all recommend before freshman fall?
For club recruiting, what technical knowledge was assumed versus taught?
How do people realistically differentiate themselves in club applications when experience is limited?
Appreciate any insight. Thanks.
Bro stop studying technicals and go study women's anatomy. Live your fucking life.
You're already late to the game. Shoulda gone to Trinity/Dalton/Horace Mann or another target middle school
Jesus, dude. Kudos to you but I can't imagine doing all that prior to freshman year of college, let alone prior to even graduating high school. You'll place very well once you recruit, but try and go have fun.. and get laid as per above commenter lol
Thanks man. Just trying to get ahead because the competition for recruitment seems unreal.
Good thinking - currently recruiting for SA 27 so I can attest to that. My cycle is hell, can't even imagine what yours will be like. Regardless of that, try to make time for yourself and enjoy your senior year.
That's because most people aren't from fucking Harvard.
Coming from a top prep school you’ll probably be okay. I went to a large public school in Texas and I’m doing fine myself.
Maybe study technicals here and there but don’t stress yourself out. The vast majority of people here are coming with no finance background whatsoever. I think it’s best if you enjoy the rest of your spring semester and travel the world for this summer.
When you’re here you can aim for one or two top clubs like Black Diamond, HFAC Board, CRGF, etc.
Sounds good, thanks for the feedback.
Has recruiting really become that competitive that even an exeter/harvard kid needs to crash out like this? I'd assume the school makes it super easy to land ib. I've never seen another school pump out so many gs tmt analyts in my life.
I don't mean to seem like I'm tweaking or anything—just figured that if I have 3 months of free time now that I'm admitted to college, I might as well be productive.
Heres some realistic advice:
- Read through all the BIWS guides...takes about a week
- Go through a modeling course...takes about two weeks
- Start networking with Harvard alumni just to get a feel for the industry + make connections. The earlier you make contact, the less it'll seem like you just want a SA role/the more they'll pull for you later on.
- Leverage any family connections you have. Half the placements at top firms seems to come from nepotism these days... Can use these to get an internship for the summer before starting uni. Try going for brand name if you can i.e. MF/UMM/EB/BB etc.
-Lastly, become an interesting, charismatic, and grounded person. God knows we need more of that in this industry these days lmao
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