What’s the general consensus around non-targets with “prestigious” Investment Banking/high finance clubs? Take, for example, South Carolina Finance Scholars or Ohio State Fisher Futures. Do they matter at all in the long-run (like during PE recruiting or other exit opps), or will recruiters only judge based on the school name?
| +168 | Piper Sandler in talks to acquire PWP | 72 | 3h |
| +163 | Just One More Year | 11 | 4d |
| +122 | UBS Appears to be Exploring Sale | 19 | 22h |
| +86 | Paradise Is Paradise | 6 | 21h |
| +81 | Bringing Deals as a Vice President | 25 | 1d |
| +61 | Drunk VP. How to manage? | 23 | 2h |
| +38 | Q&A | Investment Banking Analyst, UBS | 2 years in investment banking | 11 | 3d |
| +37 | Lazard US Views 2026/2027 | 10 | 3h |
| +34 | How do I take my foot off the gas? (AN1) | 3 | 5h |
| +32 | M&A is Paradise | 1 | 3d |
Career Resources
Get instant access to lessons taught by experienced private equity pros and bulge bracket investment bankers including financial statement modeling, DCF, M&A, LBO, Comps and Excel Modeling.
nobody gonna care about an undergrad club when your a 28 year old man
bump
First off, congrats on South Carolina.
Recruiters typically will see your university as a data point, and it would hurt your chances if your school isn't known for alumni. OSU is a solid low-semi these days, and their Fisher Futures program seems to send lots of kids into banking every year (especially since they have a Ducera pipeline sending ~3 kids a year). I'd argue that it is similar to other school programs like FSU Noles on Wall Street, Kelley IBW, Rutgers, etc.
If you decide to exit into PE, then it is a toss-up as to whether being at a non-target matters compared to a top semi-target like Vanderbilt, Rice, Notre Dame, etc. If you want to be in banking that bad, then study technicals and network earlier than at target schools and earn your spot.
Curious to hear: are you between schools? If so, which ones, if you don't mind me asking?
Mollitia consequatur illo inventore voluptatibus. Nulla accusamus amet ad consequatur qui vero officiis. Dolorum nostrum exercitationem consequuntur incidunt. Tenetur esse eum dolorem quis velit.
See All Comments - 100% Free
WSO depends on everyone being able to pitch in when they know something. Unlock with your email and get bonus: 6 financial modeling lessons free ($199 value)
or Unlock with your social account...