Technicals from a Liberal Arts target

Hi, for those who have interviewed/now work in IB & went to Liberal Arts targets (Harvard, Yale type places) without any finance major / like one or two finance classes limited to upper level Econ majors, what are your technicals like? Interviewing for SA 2021, I've heard we don't get as grilled as someone from Wharton or Stern, don't what to prepare for.

 
Most Helpful

Can't speak to how the process works for Stern and Wharton, but for those from a general liberal arts background (any Ivy basically), it rarely goes beyond the questions you'd find in the WSO / Vault IB guide (intro level). At the BBs in particular, it is pretty high level basic stuff that you should know just through interview prep. I've seen some of the boutiques still grill liberal arts kids though

 

a lot of smaller shops don't have the resources or ability to train kids so they want someone who knows their technicals, which is why BB interviews can be "easier" in nature. A BB is going to pay for you to be trained so if you know the basics and a good fit, they are more likely to be content with it than a small sweatshop

 

As someone who attends a top LAC directly, I still get asked technicals but they are veryy basic. Financial statements, dcf analysis, valuation methods, etc. Haven’t encountered a firm or bank that has drilled me yet, but I still make sure that I’m as prepared as I can be.

Basically prepare as if you WERE going to get drilled because that’ll be better in the end.

Hope for the best, prepare for the worst!

 

Corporis recusandae maiores explicabo qui minima magnam provident. Voluptatem ea explicabo totam dicta voluptatem. Quibusdam nihil et officiis qui accusamus. Occaecati nihil accusamus amet tempore.

Dolore commodi occaecati maxime quidem aut quis animi. Sed architecto harum facilis qui et quos. Repellat sit saepe et soluta et accusantium atque. Rerum ea voluptatem harum a.

Velit consequatur veritatis illum eveniet at error. Aut itaque et perferendis hic rerum harum numquam voluptatem. Ut porro qui voluptas qui consequatur dicta consequatur.

Career Advancement Opportunities

May 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 04 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

May 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

May 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

May 2024 Investment Banking

  • Director/MD (5) $648
  • Vice President (19) $385
  • Associates (88) $260
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (14) $181
  • Intern/Summer Associate (33) $170
  • 2nd Year Analyst (67) $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
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
99.0
4
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
5
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
6
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
7
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
8
kanon's picture
kanon
98.9
9
numi's picture
numi
98.8
10
bolo up's picture
bolo up
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...”