Is SMU Underrated?
I know SMU has historically been a houston pipeline, but these kids are placing like crazy in NYC last ~3 years. Any insight on this? Are the kids legit?
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Historically, SMU primarily placed incredibly well in Houston Energy/O&G groups. More recently, kids have placed in some excellent shops in NYC (CVP, GS, LAZ, PJT, etc.) The business school is incredibly strong and continues to receive massive funding from donors.
SMU’s business program is incredibly career oriented. Post-COVID after strings of weak Analyst classes, I think there’s been a shift of people focusing on schools that will churn out decent Analysts who spent 4 years making PPTX slides / models for their classes over target liberal arts kids that are far more at risk of being actually clueless. Add on top of that the sheer amount of effort SMU school invests in making sure its students are well equipped to recruit (vs. again top liberal arts kids schools forcing kids to be on their own), you get improved results as recruiting moves earlier and earlier and aggressive hand holding becomes more important.
Dont go there, know some smart ppl who chose SMU over East coast target, got fuhhed in recruiting. If this is your best option or youre serious about O&G banking, makes sense; if not, go to the tried and tested east/west coast target. Assuming SMU isn't going to be cheaper in any way either and if youre paying that much (or slightly lesser), would recc choosing actual established targets.
SMU alum are a different type of loyal
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