What are the Strongest Non-Target Schools for Undergrad Recruitment?

I've noticed that there is not a thread exactly like this for prospective monkeys to take a look at. I'm currently an undergrad second year applying to some targets/semi's as a transfer, and this would have been helpful if I didn't know exactly where I wanted to be.

What are some strong non-core universities that students can apply to, whether out of HS or as transfer students?

Some schools that come to my mind are:

  • William & Mary (Dog St. to Wall St. Program)
  • Penn St. (Nittany Lion Fund)
  • Syracuse (Orange Value Fund)
  • UMD (FBIS)

Those of you with experience on the street or with recruiting as an undergrad, what do you think? Throw some recommendations out there!

Mod Note: You can read more about Target Schools here on WSO.

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The below picture, a screen shot from the WSO Investment Banking University Report shows the percentage of the recruiting class that comes from each school. You can find out about the recruitment from various schools in the report.

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131 Comments
 

Also, OP - those are pretty weak schools when discussing IB. There are definitely better "non-target" options such as USC, Georgetown, top LACs, etc.

 

^ agreed. I see many students from Baruch at top IB/EB/PE firms lately. If you're starting out freshman year you definitely have the time to hustle your way in no matter where you come from, just keep the GPA high and get strong offcyle internships.

 

I think there is some confusion between Non-targets and "elite" schools that simply do not place a lot into IB.

The difference is:

1) A Non-target (at least by this forum's standards) is a school that tends to have lower admissions standards and is less academically focused. Students here have a harder time getting into IB as banks don't see these schools as ideal places to recruit.

2) A Good school that simply does not place a lot into IB usually has: good academics, stringent admissions standards, and high-caliber students. However, their students aren't necessarily interested in banking (hard to believe, I know); they are usually pursuing law/medicine/academics/etc. From my observation, I'm sure many would have a good shot at IB if they wanted it, but choose other career paths. It's mostly a matter of self-selection.

An example of a non-target would be Baruch, while LACs (Willams, Bates, etc.) would be good schools that just don't send a lot into banking.

 

I don’t know if this means it’s a “semi-target” or not, but I can vouche for Arizona State. It does have the party school rep and it’s definitely way too much fun, but the b-school (WP Carey) is actually very highly ranked. Me and a handful of people I went to school with landed jobs at BB IBs in NYC, and I imagine we’re not the only ones. So don’t count ASU (or any school with a good b-school) out!

 

I think that's true of any of the large public universities. The top however many students at ASU are going to be of Harvard/MIT caliber by virtue of the school's size. I don't know much about the business school there, but I think most people would take a top performer seriously regardless.

 

so many people don't get this. the top 1% of any university are going to so close when it come to ability

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