Why Non-Targets Are Superior
Non-target sophomore here. In the midst of recruiting. I've done a good amount of networking at this point, and every banker (especially non-alumni) has mentioned how analysts from my non-target school, and other similar schools, are the hardest workers and make the best analyst. I think this speaks to the lack of effort required to recruit to a target school. A majority of target school kids I've met are pretentious squids who can't even walk me through 10 dollars of depreciation. Obviously, there are exceptions to this rule, but this has been my general experience.
Meanwhile, I live for this grind. I network my ass off just to get banks to even look at me, have the entirety of the BIWS guides memorized, and conduct 1 or 2 mock interviews per day. I enjoy the constant psychological torment of having to work twice as hard as a kid who's gonna have 10x more student debt than me. The grind doesn’t just make me stronger... it makes me bulletproof. While target kids are out here with their silver spoons and their direct pipeline to BBs, I’m in the trenches, fighting for every inch. By the time I actually land a job, I’ll probably be so over-prepared that the VP will call me a "machine" within my first month. If anything, I think this whole process is a blessing in disguise. I’m being trained to run marathons while these target kids are barely jogging. By the time they burn out from their first 80-hour workweek, I’ll be thriving.
To all non-target students out there. Lock the fuck in and don't let the name of your college limit your own beliefs. "Whether you think you can or can't, you're right" - Henry Ford
As a non-target who used to have this mentality during recruiting all the way through my first few months on the desk I just want to say it’s unhealthy. Letting that type of chip on your shoulder superiority complex is just going to make you insufferable to be around and seriously there’s a lot more to life than IB and recruiting. Don’t let it consume you like this- try snd focus on being a well-rounded individual.
If you think like this you’re no better than the people who you despise who won’t give non-targets a shot: making assumptions about someone based on one line in a resume (where someone went to school).
Agreed. I also went to a non-target and this mentality is so cringe. We all made it to the same jobs, so it’s better to stop thinking like a high schooler. Genuinely don’t recall what schools my coworkers attended. It doesn’t matter at all. You will unavoidably work with people from Ivies and top schools as well as big state schools and small LACs, etc. People will be good and bad to work with independent of their school. Not a healthy mentality to have any prejudice one way or the other.
This times 1000.
3/10 ragebait
coulda been more creative
Lol they’re not
Obviously this is bait but when I was still in banking, I used to say this to non-targets on networking calls because they would always be down on themselves on the call and I would feel bad.
Did I believe it? No haha. Candidly, our analysts from our typical schools were the same if not better technically, even from liberal art schools, and were poised and emotionally mature. That being said, I fucking loved the football guys we’d occasionally get from B10 schools. I had a TE for Michigan on my team, and he was the man.
Bro michigan is like the most target school out of all the public schools in the country 😭
but nah yea the athletes are chill
Guess you should have had the same mentality in high school
Even though this is def troll, coming from a non target myself I agree that usually non target interns tend to be more technically prepared (combination of most target schools not having undergrad business school + study harder to get the job).
However, technically prepared in this context just refers to finance theory, which won’t necessarily make you good at the job. Yes, you can probably pick up some concepts faster / understand more of what people are talking about, and this is key in the internship because its only 10 weeks so not much time to catch up.
Once u are FT skill level evens out pretty quickly and that’s when the connections / politics start to be important (and target schools kids usually win here).
Thats my personal opinion on the topic, greetings gentlemen.
congrats on Kelley/Rutgers
Could be from a SUNY/CUNY. Wouldn’t be shocked.
Eric Balchunas went to Rutgers, and I didn't do any better (on a full ride though) AM is all about postgrad degrees. there's no undergrad pipeline.
OP is talking about Investment Banking; undergraduate matters massively there, as well as for PE Recruitment and MBA applications.
Coming from someone who transferred from a complete non-target to a strong target who completely understands the massive difference in recruiting outcomes school name makes, I can honestly say that on an individual basis, the people who cared most about school name are non-target. Prior to, and after my transfer, the people most willing to be contacts, and who became friends in some cases, were students at some of the most prestigious schools in the country. Obsessing over school/job prestige reeks of insecurity, nobody likes someone with a chip on their shoulder. It’s like an athlete who spends their first bonus purchasing the most flamboyant car possible in an absolutely ridiculous color. Yes, being a non-target significantly limits your opportunities at the outset, and certain positions may be out of your reach forever. But for those who make it through the meat grinder, whether you’re competent, and a decent, genial human being, is what becomes most important. Remember that going forward.
Well yea target school kids dont care much about brand name bcs theyre there already, they get to focus on what comes with being at the brand name. (Strong network/recruiting etc) and that ok
It’s not about brand name; people who went to top schools know what it’s worth to go there, but as a general rule, the good ones won’t act like arrogant a*holes when dealing with people, regardless of where they come from. Manners, upbringing, etc.
Quae quaerat assumenda pariatur nemo laboriosam omnis quas hic. Blanditiis qui at quidem. Quaerat similique odit non maiores cum quaerat iure. Asperiores beatae facilis est porro sit aut.
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