Non-target freshman looking at IB, how does it look for me
I'm wrapping up my applications to transfer into a target right now. I have a good GPA, involved in IB club workshops, coffee chatting business students at my school, but no relevant finance experience at all.
My current plan: submit transfer apps into target -> learn technical/interview skills in current IB club workshop -> regional boutique IB internship during summer -> start recruiting for 2028 summer analyst positions at target
Is it realistic to look for regional boutique non-paid IB intern positions right now for this summer, or is it too late? Especially since I'm non-target. If I can't, I'm definitely looking towards a search fund internship, but I heard it can be difficult to get any practice doing pitches/modeling/research beyond cold-emailing and busy work at most firms. I don't care about the prestige of my summer internship, I just want something substantial I can talk about during interviews by the time summer analyst positions for Summer 2028 open up.
Del
You don’t need to transfer. In fact I’d suggest against it. I’m at a non target as well and just wrapped up SA27 recruiting. Landed at CVP/GS/EVR.
This cycle was the most meritocratic of the last few years, especially because of DEI rollbacks. Tons of non targets are placing rly well, just open up LinkedIn. I don’t even think school is a major determinant atp (unless you have like 20> alums). It’s a function of grit/effort + EQ + slightly above average IQ + GPA + networking.
If you do transfer, it could do more harm than good. Most of these targets have big club culture that have become major pipelines. You won’t be able to/it’ll be hard to get into those clubs as a Soph transfer. You won’t have access to upperclassman bc you don’t know anyone. And most importantly, you’ll be in a new city, new system, new friends, etc during the MOST IMPORTANT semester of ur college career. Of course, there are soph transfer success stories, but by no means is it necessary to transfer.
And yes try and get a legitimate IB or buyside internship now or for summer. Just cold email. Happy to chat further, shoot me a PM
Thanks for the reply. I'd love to PM now but I'm a new user and I'll have to wait 2 days before anything.
I would say transfer still matters and if you can then I would. Your ceiling isn’t changed by transferring (can still place at any bank) but your floor increases significantly and with a good enough resume, a good school can get you 1rs off cold apps. Also transferred from non target feel free to pm.
Targets aren’t getting in the door cold anymore. Or at least to the same extent, to my knowledge
def not to the same extent but i got 2 1r at strong ebs no networking. we also have school team at 1. also school name helps for insight programs since they are increasingly beckoning more non div.
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