Questions from a wannabe non-diversity non-target success story

I'm a freshman at a non-target state school, but I did place into an investment banking development program for 15 students. It's basically IU Kelley's investment banking workshop, but more selective in regards to our school. I have an internship for this summer at a local M&A shop, but I can't help but worry looking at how prestige-heavy recruiting classes are. Before we get started, I do want to emphasize that I'll do whatever it takes on the technical side, I've finished the 400 guide and I'm currently looking at the Rosenbaum. Also, I don't mean to sound full of myself, but I believe my technical knowledge level will be enough to pass most BB interviews and a good amount of EB's, so that's where I'm aiming to place. Here are my questions for prior success stories.

1. Did you have any great sophomore opportunities? If so, what good companies (a step above regional boutiques) would look at a non-diversity non-target student?

2. Is it ever brought up in interviews that you don't attend a selective school, if not, should you address why you chose your school?

3. How did you go about increasing your odds for cold networking for groups and frims where alumni aren't present?

4. Are there any banks with a reputation for taking students that don't fit the diversity or target school mold?

5. If you have any other helpful information please let me know!

Thanks, everyone

5 Comments
 

So i came from a non target now have a BB IB offer in a top group. Also non diverse and don’t come from money. My school was never really brought up in interviews unless it’s about sports. Nothing bad was said about my school. I tried to reach out to ppl that played the same sport as me or even same nationality once u exhaust ur sxhool network. The better convos I had were with ppl I had a shared interest with which is obviously sports or something niche i can find about them. I even tried to connect with ppl who had the same first name with me since i don’t have a popular name. lowkey worked and it was pretty cool. rn i’m in my sophomore summer internship at a local boutique. defenitely not know outside of my area and it’s a relatively small team. prestige for sophomore summer doesn’t matter tbh. as long as ur doing stuff and not just messing around it’s all good. pm me if u want

 

non-target, non-diverse. I got an offer from MS and the technicals and behaviorals were not too difficult.

If you feel solid on technicals focus on behaviorals those will seal your fate during interviews. Being able to show your personality to interviewers are important considering they interview so many people. So having meaningful conversations with each person is crucial even if you have to bullshit interest in their hobbies.

 

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