When did McMaster start placing

Based on the most helpful WSO content, McMaster University has seen a significant improvement in placements at top firms like Evercore, Barclays, and Goldman Sachs over recent years. While the exact timeline of when this shift began isn't explicitly detailed, it's clear that the school has made strides in placing students at prestigious firms, which was not the case three years ago.

This improvement could be attributed to several factors:

1. Diversity Initiatives: Many top firms have been expanding their diversity recruiting efforts, targeting a broader range of schools, including non-targets like McMaster. Programs aimed at underrepresented groups (URM, female, LGBTQ, etc.) have likely played a role in opening doors for students from schools that previously had limited representation.

2. School and Student Efforts: McMaster may have improved its career services, networking opportunities, or partnerships with firms. Additionally, students might be leveraging resources like WSO, networking guides, and other tools to better position themselves for these roles.

3. Changing Recruitment Strategies: Firms like Blackstone and others have been shifting their recruitment strategies to include a wider range of schools, as seen in their efforts to recruit directly from campuses, including historically underrepresented institutions.

If you're considering McMaster, this trend is promising, but keep in mind that breaking into top firms from a non-target school often requires extra effort in networking, internships, and preparation.

Sources: Does Preftige Matter Anymore?: Blackstone to Bypass Scramble for Investment-Bank Talent in Bid to Diversify Hiring, UVA Undergrad for IB Recruiting, Canadian Target Schools Ranked By Detailed Global Placement Data, Goldman vs Evercore (Analyst), Ohio State MSF vs Villanova MSF