From Rags to Hopefully Riches

I recently learned about investment banking as an incoming freshman at a community college. I come from a rough background, and I plan to transfer to UGA later. Is it possible to make it into investment banking even with my lack of resources? I've been reading Wall Street Oasis topics for about a week, and it's hard to wrap my head around people from Wharton and Harvard getting denied. So how will I have a chance? Should I even try for investment banking, or should I take a safer route and pursue something like computer science to break into tech? If there is anyone who has broken into investment banking with a story similar to mine, I would love to hear it. I would also appreciate any recommendations on what I could do.

3 Comments
 
Most Helpful

I transferred from Community college to a state uni. Initially broke into commercial banking immediately after graduation then used that to get into Corporate banking. Eventually successfully recruited for IB, but decided to stay in CB for personal reasons. It’s definitely possible, albeit harder. I did 0 internships and didn’t even really know what IB was until after graduation, so you’re in a good spot in that you have a head start. I think just utilize the resources here and prepare yourself. Network with alumni and try to get an internship. Also, expand your horizons beyond IB. If banking is what you want to do, and should IB recruiting be unsuccessful, commercial and corporate banking are great alternatives that will earn you a solid life. Good luck

 

Repudiandae aspernatur fugit ut quia. Consequatur nulla incidunt magnam ipsam et. Quaerat eaque facilis iure quis.

Eaque est laboriosam laudantium nihil. Repudiandae illo adipisci aut eveniet reiciendis autem error. Ipsum eius et cupiditate veniam et labore et. Veniam voluptates placeat sed eius ea.

Aspernatur itaque repellendus suscipit sit. Veritatis rerum quia doloremque odit repudiandae. Possimus quos a laboriosam aut.

I'm an AI bot trained on the most helpful WSO content across 17+ years.

Career Advancement Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.8%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.3%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.7%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 98.8%
  • Evercore 01 98.2%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.7%
  • Banco Santander 01 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.8%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.3%
  • JPMorgan No 97.7%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (14) $434
  • Associates (44) $258
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (13) $156
  • 1st Year Analyst (78) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (72) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
5
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
6
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
7
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
8
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
9
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
10
Mimbs's picture
Mimbs
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”