IB Recruitment - What should first-years do?
I'm a freshman starting business school at a solid semi-target (McCombs). The IB pipeline here is well-developed, but highly competitive like anywhere else. Given that recruiting starts sophomore year, what should freshmen do to get a head start on the process (beyond the obvious of joining related student orgs). Are there any independent courses/certifications that are worth it, and how much of a difference does that sort of work make when recruiting rolls around?
Have a beer
Have two even.
No difference with those certifications besides wasting money. The technical stuff for recruiting takes like 2 weeks to learn.
Actual things you can do freshman year include take all the pre-req courses so you can be in accounting/finance 1 by sophomore fall (huge help in learning technicals when it's taught to you in school) and get a freshman summer internship (you're too early now, but come spring can start looking)
Other than that I would enjoy college and chill a bit. You have plenty of time to work your ass off in recruiting, freshman year is not the time
Should first years start recruiting for sophomore year internship, or only freshman?
Soph won't be open yet. Keep an eye on the BB soph internships so you don't miss a deadline but as non-diversity those odds are basically zil
Del
All this stuff makes sense, I'm just looking for clarity on what that engagement looks like. Wall Street for Mccomb's is obviously important, but you need to demonstrate extensive finance interest if you want a chance at getting in. Most internships also require that kind of prior interest. I've joined a couple of finance-adjacent orgs (getting TUIT or USIT positions is a total crap-shoot given how many people apply), and I'll rerun that club cycle during spring semester. What can you do independent of the club cycle, or is that the only option?
Del
+1 for WSFM. Makes getting to NYC way easier.
Certifications generally are worthless, but if you want to learn, reach out to BBA career management for the Wall Street prep student pass so you get access to a bunch of the modules and can learn stuff like accounting, DCFs, valuations, etc. through their platform. Application is really straightforward.
What I would focus on is your GPA. Class of 2025 WSFM applicants had an average GPA of like a 3.95. Not sure what the average is for admits, but regardless, it’s an incredibly competitive pool. The director of the program will grill you if you don’t have a 4.0. Take easy classes outside of McCombs to boost the gpa.
If you’re not in BHP, you should grind not only GPA (should be 4.0) but really focus on getting clubs or part time internships (search funds and local boutique investment banks are very common at UT) so you have a chance to join as a sophomore.
Some of the finance orgs are open to everyone, so you can go just to be involved and learn. Usit analyst groups should be good for that, pretty sure they take everyone who’s willing to pay the dues.
Most of the ones that are gung ho about recruitment take freshmen in the spring, so you should try to meet people in those orgs so you can maybe have an in.
Little too early for summer internships but you can just stalk upperclassmen LinkedIn’s for ideas there.
Magni qui accusamus nisi soluta nostrum eligendi. Est voluptatem et id corporis reiciendis. Numquam nulla itaque molestiae.
See All Comments - 100% Free
WSO depends on everyone being able to pitch in when they know something. Unlock with your email and get bonus: 6 financial modeling lessons free ($199 value)
or Unlock with your social account...