what banks/boutiques are the hardest for non-targets to get into?

I have been networking with a few banks/boutiques and looking at analyst profiles on linkedin and it seems like some only hire within top 10 business schools and Ivy's. Are there some that are very elitist and not worth trying to network into? My school has no alumni, so getting someone to pull some strings will not happen at these top schools.

On the other hand, I have had some good success with some of the lower BBs and MM boutiques.

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Bhapre

From what I've seen, I'd say Blackstone (M&A, R&R, PE). Centerview is also chock-full of Ivies, though I'd say they are less impressive than the kids at Lazard or GHL, both of which have plenty of "semi-target" kids (Emory, Queens in Canada, Texas, etc.).

I networked with a hotshot at BX who's an alum from my school and he told me straight up that there wasn't even a shot at being considered lol. I knew it too, that's when you cut your loss and head over to the next bank. You will find the process to be very random as I was able to land interviews with ms, gs, barcap, ubs, and db but couldn't land an interview with macquarie, rbc, and even duff and phelps lol. Just keep at it man.

 
ogofnyc Bhapre:

From what I've seen, I'd say Blackstone (M&A, R&R, PE). Centerview is also chock-full of Ivies, though I'd say they are less impressive than the kids at Lazard or GHL, both of which have plenty of "semi-target" kids (Emory, Queens in Canada, Texas, etc.).

I networked with a hotshot at BX who's an alum from my school and he told me straight up that there wasn't even a shot at being considered lol. I knew it too, that's when you cut your loss and head over to the next bank. .

I probably just would've just pressed the issue and told him that if he could get in then I could too. It was probably more of his way of saying "It will be unbelievably hard and unlikely for you to get a shot - it's not impossible, but saying you have no shot is the easiest way for me to get you to leave me alone".
 

Most of the elite boutiques (EVR / CEN / GHL) tend to stick with their target schools.

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Elite boutiques are significantly harder to network into. They are much more cautious when it comes to hiring because they want someone who already knows the ropes.

Evercore/Lazard/moelis/Quatalyst as examples would unlikely hire a non-target.

They have too much to lose by hiring a non-target who does not perform, at a BB there are so many hires that it is okay to have a few bad ones, you give them the garbage work and churn + burn them.

This is why people who actually work in the industry are adament about not getting into prestige whoring contests, because in reality, the work you do will determine your future. Eg: spending 2 years at MS spreading comps all day is not as impressive as a person at Evercore who completed 2 M&A transactions

 
WallStreetPlayboys

Elite boutiques are significantly harder to network into. They are much more cautious when it comes to hiring because they want someone who already knows the ropes.

Evercore/Lazard/moelis/Quatalyst as examples would unlikely hire a non-target.

They have too much to lose by hiring a non-target who does not perform, at a BB there are so many hires that it is okay to have a few bad ones, you give them the garbage work and churn + burn them.

This is why people who actually work in the industry are adament about not getting into prestige whoring contests, because in reality, the work you do will determine your future. Eg: spending 2 years at MS spreading comps all day is not as impressive as a person at Evercore who completed 2 M&A transactions

Off-topic but just saw your website referenced on wheninwallstreet haha.

Awesome page bro....hahaha

 

Just go to a target if you can. There's nothing about a non-target that you can't get at a target, but there's a lot you can get at a target that won't be at a non-target. I am content with my undergrad non-target because it was an experience that was appropriate for me at the time. But there's no reason to be on WSO and in HS and still not go to a target school.

 

Just to clarify, you guys do realize the absurd game of prestige ookie cookie is only referring to the FO, rit? More than once, I've applied to BB jobs, did the phone interview, threw on my monkey suit and jackassed in for an interview, and only THEN was told that we weren't discussing what I applied for by a mile. HH's particularly love this stunt as they're simply paid how fast they can move people. Obviously disregard this, if you're one of those people who cares more about WHERE you're working, than WHAT you're doing.

 

but what are your chances of getting an offer from the GS if you work a there already? I hear state school kids re-return offer rate to the GS is practically zero.

 

Might go slightly against you....there is an admitted undercurrent of bias towards Ivy League prep school kids.

That said the BB name and your deal experience matter much, much, more

 

HS senior at the moment, going undergrad next year.

after checking out the forums here it seems that this is true. they way to a BB front office is through an ivy. should one even bother to go in finance if he cant get in an ivy or top-10 school? genuinely curious.

 

If you end up taking a path less traveled, make sure you blaze a trail of success. That track record matters a lot more than you think. Bill Ackman came from the ivy league, Mason Hawkins came from the SEC, PTJ - UVA.... Who would you bet on?

Overwhelming grasp of the obvious.
 

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