Notre Dame Undergrad Finance

Based on the most helpful WSO content, Notre Dame has evolved into a strong semi-target for investment banking (IB) and private equity (PE) recruiting. Here’s a breakdown of why it stands out:

1. Placement Success:

   • Notre Dame sends approximately 110 students to investment banking roles and 20 to the buyside (PE, VC, HF) annually.
   • Around 50-60 students land BB IB roles each year, with placements in top groups like MS M&A, GS TMT, and others.
   • Elite boutiques (EBs) such as Evercore, Moelis, PJT, Lazard, and Greenhill also recruit from Notre Dame, with consistent placements at PJT RSSG and HL RX.

2. Recruiting Accessibility:

   • The school makes recruiting straightforward and inclusive. Clubs like the Wall Street Club and Student International Business Council (SIBC) provide networking opportunities, career treks, and hands-on projects with firms like GS, Evercore, and JPM.
   • There’s no cutthroat environment or exclusive club gatekeeping, making it accessible for anyone willing to put in the effort.

3. Collaborative Environment:

   • Notre Dame fosters a non-competitive, supportive atmosphere. Students share resources, prep materials, and strategies, ensuring a collaborative recruiting process.
   • The career center actively connects students with alumni and unique opportunities.

4. Geographic Placement:

   • While traditionally seen as a Chicago-focused school, 80%+ of students now head to New York for IB roles, with others staying in Chicago by choice.

5. Buyside Opportunities:

   • Notre Dame graduates secure roles at UMM and MM funds like Vista, Ares, GTCR, Golden Gate, and Stone Point.
   • Although the buyside process is less structured, the school still sends ~5 students annually to VCs and HFs.

6. Business Honors Program:

   • The relatively new Business Honors Program offers additional networking and recruiting advantages, helping students stand out.

In summary, Notre Dame is a solid semi-target for IB and PE. It provides strong placement numbers, a collaborative recruiting environment, and access to top firms. While it may not rival Wharton or Harvard, it competes well with second-tier Ivies and schools like Duke. If you’re motivated and take advantage of the resources, you can land top roles.

Sources: Why you should consider Notre Dame for undergrad, Why you should consider Notre Dame for undergrad, Notre Dame Recruiting, Notre Dame > Georgetown?