27 Comments
 

Based on the most helpful WSO content, there isn't a direct mention of specific schools that have seen a significant downturn in their IB pipeline from 2021 onward. However, there are some general observations and trends that could provide insight:

  1. Target School Prestige Decline: There has been a growing sentiment that the academic prestige associated with target schools is becoming less impactful. Some WSO users have noted that non-target students with strong work ethics are increasingly competing with and sometimes outperforming target school students.

  2. Exclusive Clubs and Workshops: Certain schools or programs, like the UBS IB workshop mentioned, are highly selective and send most participants to top firms. This exclusivity might indirectly highlight schools or programs that are not as competitive or well-connected.

  3. Systemic Challenges for Non-Targets: Non-target schools often face systemic challenges in IB placement. While some flagship state schools (e.g., UF, UW Madison) are recognized for producing strong candidates, others may struggle due to lack of resources, alumni networks, or awareness of IB opportunities.

If you're looking for specific schools with a downturn in IB placement, this information isn't explicitly available in the WSO dataset. However, the trends suggest that schools not adapting to the competitive and evolving IB recruiting landscape may face challenges.

Sources: https://www.wallstreetoasis.com/forum/investment-banking/systemic-oppression-of-non-target-students?customgpt=1, Declining Analyst Quality - Fact or Myth, Unofficial 2020 Public School Tiers for IB Placement, IBP Institute Announces Investment Banking Professional (IBP) Credential, Declining Analyst Quality - Fact or Myth

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

Cornell has been consistently upgraded on internal target lists over the past five years, notably evercore, centerview, Point72, and is one of the only schools repeatedly sending to Citadel. None of that happened on such a consistent basis 5+ years ago. It places the most to JPM, BofA, and now Evercore of any school in the country, and is top five for GS and MS, with placements expanding every year at each. I'm a senior and have watched recruitment get better every single year I've been here. I wish I was recruiting now from Cornell. You're simply wrong.

 

Am a senior at Cornell going to a top BB and involved with clubs. 18 kids got JPM last year, similar amount this year as well. Just looking at the most recent cycle, big pipeline to EVR, MS, JPM, GS, Citi, WF, BX, list goes on...

 

Went to Princeton, can confirm it's extremely easy to get into any BB/EB IB role though some firms like CVP/GS are still competitive to get even as non-diversity. Will caveat you do require a very basic level of social skill and have to still memorize the guides and talk to some people. The nice thing about Princeton compared to a Wharton or other top finance school is that there is less competition, and everyone still highly respects your school. The reason for relatively lower placement is due to a distinct lack of interest, in IB, and the ones who are go into buyside out of ugrad or quant-related roles.

 

kinda like MIT in a sense

obv a super target but IB is not the main draw for people there who’d prefer tech or quant or ai etc

 

Rather than a specific trend I think there has a been a measurable shift away from target schools across the street this year, targets still placed well but a lot of non-targets have been eating away at traditional target seats 

 

Doubt it - feel like more kids than ever want to do investment banking. Some of the technical targets (Princeton/MIT/etc) have always had a smaller group of ib interested students anyway

 

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