IU Kelley for Investment Banking - transfer student? (also Fordham)

Dear WSO family! Hope you are doing well. I deeply appreciate every minute of your time dedicated to helping me. I apologize for my post that long; however, after trying to find out as much as I can for the past 2 weeks, I still couldn't find a few answers, so I was genuinely hoping that someone could help me.

I recently had the pleasure of being admitted to IU as a pre-business student (international) with an intended major in Finance. The admissions office told me that I would be able to find out how many credits of mine will transfer only after I accept the offer, so with the given uncertainty I will have to guess that I am an incoming sophomore/junior.

I am passionate about investment banking and hope to see myself deeply immersed in the field. I was wondering if anyone with any helpful experience/knowledge could help me answer a few questions about IU/IBW, as I acknowledge the rigor of the competition for IB and want to make sure I understand my potential future at IU.

Based on what I've read from multiple sources, the Investment Banking Workshop at IU plays pretty much the biggest role in recruitment. I know that it is selective and admission is not guaranteed. So, knowing your plan and thorough preparation would be critical for me.

Based on the IBW website, in order to be able to apply, I would need: all core courses completed, min 3.5 GPA (4.0 in reality), 30 credits, and be admitted to Kelley. On top of that, "Only second-year students admitted to BUS-F 210 in the fall semester are eligible to apply".

So, here are a few questions of mine:

1) Because I am entering as not a freshman, does that mean that I would be already at a disadvantage in regard to time? I know people start networking with members early upfront, as they also hold weight in admission decision-making + I still need to fulfill all the requirements.

2) Let's say I will enter as a sophomore (guess if I am a junior I'm done), it will take me one year just to get into Kelley. Does that mean that IBW is pretty much out of my reach? Or do they mean "second-year" since my start at IU?

Maybe there is something wrong with my understanding. I was wondering if anyone who is related/familiar with the IU IBW and has any experience as a transfer student could help me understand that. I acknowledge that there are a lot of threads about it and I apologize if some of the questions are trivial or incorrectly worded. I guess me being a transfer student makes everything more complicated.

Here are a few stats about me to offer a better insight into my candidacy:

  • 4.0 GPA
  • 1500 SAT
  • Previous school involvement:
    • Director at a National Honorary
    • VP at a student-managed investment fund (~50k assets)
    • Treasurer at the International Business Association
    • Worked as a tutor in business courses (econ, stat, calc 2)
  • Conducted Undergraduate Research
  • Internships (18 years old):
    • Accounting
    • Commercial Real Estate 
    • Had a ~2-year break because a war broke out in my country, so me and my family had to leave and find a new life in a different country
  • Started Wall Street Prep premium modeling package to at least polish my skills before entering the new school (guess at least it won't do bad for me)

I also have Fordham Gabelli - Finance major - as my other option (still waiting for one more school to decide), so if by any chance there's anyone who could educate me on the Investment Banking Society at Rose Hill - it would be a miracle.

I deeply apologize again if there is anything wrong with my post or if it's too long. And, of course, I couldn't be more grateful for any of your comments and advice!!!!

Wish everyone a great summer, best of luck, and successful internships!

 
Most Helpful

IBW is out given transferring as a soph + taking the extra year to get in. Second year is total credits, not since you start - also, you will miss recruiting by the time you get in (recruiting is sophomore winter/spring). You can break in without it but vast majority of their exits come from IBW.

Given that, I would take Fordham. You seem like a hustler and the proximity to NYC means you can have off-cycle internships, hop down for coffees in person etc. I would take that over potentially being marooned with no IBW at IU. The clubs aren't that selective and most of their alums also hustled so they will help you.

Also if you come in as a junior, make a plan to slow down your credits or pick up a minor to be a sophomore. You will be 100% past recruiting if you enter as a junior, even sophomore status you will have to come in and start networking right off the bat.

 

Thank you so much for such an invaluable piece of advice! Currently doing my best to have as few credits transferred as possible of course, Fordham will let me know in a week how much they can help me with that. Thank you again!

 

I'd try to transfer more than less, just do things more slowly or pick up a minor if needed rather than intentionally not transferring credits - if you can be in a situation where you have 12 credits most semesters to leave room for internships + maybe even go part-time senior year so you can enjoy yourself, that would be great. 

You can transfer in technically as a junior and still take 3 years to slowly finish, banks do not care what your current "year" status is with your school as long as you finish the right year.

 

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