What you need to know about landing a BB internship from a Semi-Target

Initially, I was going to comment under another thread but I realized that more people might find this interesting. I am not trying to brag in any way (looking at you Q&A guy). Just wanting to share my experience.

I am from a west coast semi-target; think USC/UCLA. My GPA is 3.50 and I previously attended a CC. I am not diversity. Mainly my post will be about things I observed from peers, rather than my own recruitment.

1. Fraternities/Clubs:
At my school being in a fraternity or professional organization increases your chances of landing a BB internship significantly. Perhaps there isn't any causation, but there is definitely correlation. In one of our selective business organizations every single student landed a BB internship. Fraternities seem to get you in the door simply through connections.

2. Success Rate:
Fortunately, I have seen many students from my school recruited to IB, Consulting and even directly into PE. Much more then I would've expected. However, I'd say 90% of it is focused on the west-coast. A lot are based in San Francisco. I know tons of people who were invited to Super-days in New York, but I do not know many that actually got the spot.

3. Networking:
I found the traditional networking pointless. Whenever a firm comes onto campus there are 20 students trying to talk to a single recruiter at the same time. In my experience that is a massive waste of time for both employer and student. This is especially true in the Spring Semester. It is much more effective to reach out directly to alumni, who are working at the firm you are trying to get into. Once I had to interview an Alumni for one of my business classes and at the end he told me to apply for the firms insights program for a Top 3 IB BB.

4. Passion for the industry:
One huge thing I have experienced and observed is that people who are not decided on wanting to work in IB, will not get in. I've known of students that are going into IB for the wrong reasons and they made it to 4+ Super-days and then got 0 offers. Another friend asked for feedback on his rejection and was told "you seem more interested about ___ on your resume than banking."

5. My own experience:
My ultimate goal was HF and I always thought that IB was the way to break in. I hated IB, but I saw it as the only way. The firms that I applied to definitely saw through that. Later, I realized that I should go into Equity Research, rather than IB and so I started applying to those programs. Long and behold, I was invited to a Super-Day with a Top 3 BB with 0 networking. During the interview I simply acted myself, and got the offer.

5. Bottom Line:
Once you are sure that IB is your goal: work hard to get all those technicals down. Instead of watching 50 "how to network videos", cold email an alumni and ask for a coffee chat (I hate coffee). In my experience, a 3.50+ GPA from a Semi-Target, Genuine Passion for the Industry, and decent Networking skills are all that you need to break in.

Just to clarify: I only hate IB as an analyst. I would definitely work there as an Associate+