Who makes a better analyst: Frat star or nerd?

After finishing up recruiting for SA positions this month, I came to the realization that applicants basically fall in to two groups: frat stars and nerds. Both are clearly smart enough to learn the technicals needed to BS their way through a first round interview, but there is a huge difference between the two in terms of communication, presence, and how much pussy they get.

So my question for the more senior members of WSO is, in your experience does the college student who is pounding keystone ice on a Friday night make a better analyst than the one that is siting in his room making models for the investment club that he runs? And are certain groups actively seeking individuals who fall into one of these categories?

10 Comments
 
GT3RS goodL1fe:

Generally I found the people who do the best during recruiting and in their summer analyst stints are likable, hungry and well-rounded. It really doesn't matter if you're a frat star, sports all-star, some guy who has a hard on for getting gold star on his exam or some combination of the former.

or porn star

Yes, or porn star like the Lazard Asset Management intern.

 

From personal experience (watching many of my friends go through recruiting), I can tell you the "Frat Star" stereotype of a person usually crushes their interviews (interviewers like them more) and they are better able to effectively socialize with other members of the firm. But of course this expected with someone in a social fraternity.

BUT, I have friends who fit the "Complete nerd who builds models for his investment club and can't socialize worth a damn" and they are equally, if not more, qualified to do the job.

 

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