Advice

Hi,

If your grades are strong A-levels and you're set up for a good university, you should should be absolutely fine. It's not obvious from your post whether you're about to start final year or have just finished. If the former, then your #1 priority is nailing your A-levels and getting into your top univeristy. Your chances of getting in will depend a bit more on which university you're going to and what you do when you're there. Do prepare (e.g. learn your way around a DCF, valuation methodologies, etc., but you aren't going to be doing complex LBO models as part of spring week internship applications).

If you want courses, I think people at the AN level might be better-placed to advise. I looked at the BIWS material in the past and it seemed pretty good, but maybe other resources are available more recent applicants would suggest. On books, there are a few well-known ones out there (Barbarians at the Gate, Gods at War, Ceasers Palace Coup, etc.)

I understand that recruiting timelines have become a lot earlier, so be prepared to apply early. On advice, I've posted something similar so I'll re-paste it below which I hope is helpful - good luck!

On how to prepare, I've posted the below elsewhere and hopefully relevant more for someone about to start university.

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1) Be involved in finance / economics-related societies and attend their events, particularly career-related. I can't comment on specific societies without knowing your university (obviously) but all universities have the same sort of societies

2) Do a Spring Week. Apply early and apply broadly. Get advice from people in societies. Don't faff about, get your CV sorted and send those applications out rather than hesitate.

3) Get a role / leadership position in a society, or found one (probably more a Year 2 than Year 1 thing), but in your first year there'll be elections towards the end of the year so be aware of those.

4) Network A LOT - try to find people who you have something in common with (same hometown, university, course, etc.) and be personal.

5) I said it above, but as far as summer courses go maybe look at WSO or BIWS - not a formal course as such, but something to educate and prepare you for assessment centres, and indicate some interest in the sector.

6) Find some extra-curricular (ideally, relevant) activities for yor CV.

7) Some of the societies I mentioned above run investment or stock-pitching programs. It's been a while since I graduated so, honestly, I don't know how these work, but I see them increasingly on CVs.

8) You probably stand a good chance with Consulting so do explore this too.

I probably forgot some things so hopefully others add. If you want some more advice about life (totally unsolicited) then do enjoy your time while at university, because it's your most valuable ressource and you lose it quickly. Find hobbies, travel, etc.) Good luck!