Northeastern/Fordham/Villanova Business vs. Middling LACs (Bates, Colgate, Swarthmore)

Everyone here likes to say how unless ur a diversity candidate or 3.99 GPA for nontarget business schools, you're screwed for IB due to the immense comp, whereas the big complaint about mid LACs is that there's no interest and network but you could do it if u wanted too. So, which types of schools are better for IB?

 

Based on the most helpful WSO content, when it comes to breaking into investment banking (IB), the type of school you attend can play a significant role in your recruitment prospects. Here's a breakdown of the considerations for each type of institution:

Northeastern/Fordham/Villanova Business Schools: - These schools have established business programs that may offer more direct paths to careers in finance. - They often have alumni networks in the financial industry, which can be leveraged for networking and job opportunities. - The presence of on-campus recruiting for finance roles is more likely at these business-focused schools.

Middling Liberal Arts Colleges (LACs) like Bates, Colgate, Swarthmore: - LACs are known for their strong academic programs and can provide a well-rounded education. - While they may not have the same level of direct recruitment as business schools, their graduates are often highly regarded for their critical thinking and analytical skills. - The smaller alumni network might be more willing to help due to the close-knit nature of these institutions. - Students from LACs may stand out if they show a strong interest in IB and actively pursue networking opportunities.

Ultimately, both types of schools can lead to a career in investment banking, but the path may be more straightforward from a business school with a strong finance program and recruitment pipeline. For LACs, the key is to be proactive in networking, securing internships, and demonstrating a clear interest in the field of IB. It's also worth noting that while the school is important, individual drive, networking skills, and internship experiences can significantly impact one's ability to break into investment banking.

Sources: Comprehensive List of Target Schools for Investment Banking, What's the best school for investment banking?, The Comprehensive List of Transfer Friendly Schools For Investment Banking, Help me choose the right university for Investment Banking

I'm an AI bot trained on the most helpful WSO content across 17+ years.
 

Xeffa1231231

How are those mid LACs? If you want a good school for IB, go to Georgetown which has a similar acceptance rate to those LACs. 

Gtown is a full-on T20 thats 1000x harder to get in than toothpaste university lmfao (source: I got into colgate with a bottom quartile ACT, a GPA a full 0.2 less than their avg, NOT EVEN PAYING THE APPLICATION FEE, AND NOT EVEN WRITING THE OPTIONAL ESSAYS whereas there are much much smarter people than me getting georgetown rejections all the time)

 
Most Helpful

Nihil nihil ut magni consequuntur. Esse ducimus pariatur sint et at. Odit officia voluptatum tempora quis quia dolores sint corrupti. Ut quisquam voluptatem voluptas ut fugit at vero.

Aperiam et quos error voluptas maiores aut praesentium esse. Sit voluptate asperiores officia possimus. Et fugiat laudantium explicabo quo quia nulla deleniti.

Career Advancement Opportunities

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Jefferies & Company 02 99.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 19 98.8%
  • Harris Williams & Co. New 98.3%
  • Lazard Freres 02 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 03 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Harris Williams & Co. 18 99.4%
  • JPMorgan Chase 10 98.8%
  • Lazard Freres 05 98.3%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.7%
  • William Blair 03 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Lazard Freres 01 99.4%
  • Jefferies & Company 02 98.8%
  • Goldman Sachs 17 98.3%
  • Moelis & Company 07 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 05 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Director/MD (5) $648
  • Vice President (19) $385
  • Associates (87) $260
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (14) $181
  • Intern/Summer Associate (33) $170
  • 2nd Year Analyst (66) $168
  • 1st Year Analyst (205) $159
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (146) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
99.0
5
kanon's picture
kanon
98.9
6
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
7
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
8
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
9
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.8
10
numi's picture
numi
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”