I'll start with a short introduction. My name is Nicholas and I was born in the Midwest area, Wisconsin to be exact. I attended a public high school and achieved a 3.4 ish GPA and a 23 on my ACT. (not as smart as I would like to be). I am going to be attending a non-target state school with a well known Business/Finance program UWEC. During high school I never really did work outside of school or cared about my grades as long as they were above a B I was happy. I am now graduated and going off to college. During the last semester of senior year I was undecided in what I wanted to do. I was thinking about becoming a physicist.......until I watched the Big Short. This was my first introduction to the financial world around me.
After watching the movie I began to apply myself and starting reading everything I could about finance and Big Banks and PE.
Has been read--(Capitalism and Freedom By: Milton Friedman, More Money Than God By:Sebastian Mallaby)
Currently reading--(King of Capital By:David Carey and John E. Morris) currently my favorite read thus far
On deck--(The Intelligent investor, Liar's Poker, The Alchemy of Finance ) or other recommendations
Last Saturday my cousin who is an engineer came to my house from Texas and we saw my book on the counter (King of Capital) The book is about Steve Schwarzman and Blackstone. He approached me and stated how his company was bought out by Blackstone and how the world revolves around finance. He recommended this site to me because I am trying to get my foot in the door. Right now I am trying to become and analyst from a non-target state school (as it is right now I have little to no chance of getting hired by a BB or Boutique). Because my school is for the most part unknown I am not sure what steps to take.
My current goals are -to get a 4.0 gpa -Start an Investment Banking club like UW Madison -network as much as possible -Possibly transfer to a target school/semi target school (maybe sophomore year). Currently looking at Madison, University of Chicago, UPenn, Duke, NYU, and Other suggestions.
As a upcoming freshman in college how can I get a desk with my name on it on Wall Street. I aspire to get into PE eventually but I have learned I have a long road ahead or me. I might get into hedge funds as well but I'm not completely sure as of right now
Thank you for reading this ungodly long post
Nicholas H
(sorry for spelling error or messed up words. Dyslexic and Typing while I am exited)
open to suggestions for target schools to transfer to and reading recommendations
deleted
Wow thanks for the quick response. I have never hear of Baird before so i am reading the link now. I have a few question as I am not exactly familiar with some of the terms you used. MM= (money management) ? pwn internship?
I know this might be a little too early (can you be too early) but what would my exit options be from Baird? Does it transition well in PE firms or Hedge funds.
Why is it that you consider Baird a great place to start?
Thanks again,
Nicholas H
lol
I am also a HS graduate but from Canada. Good luck and let's be in touch! If you want, we can be connected on linkedin! PM
Another HS grad here from India, will be moving to UK to do undergrad in A&F with management at a semi target. Well I have read something similar to what you have as well but do read intelligent investor next because it was one of the book which made me interested about this field. If you can, read Reminiscences of a Stock Operator. Its a great book and i liked it. By the way good luck!
Just like to bump. I will be starting my freshman year of college in a few days and would love some advice about switching to a target school and how a summer internships work.
As previously stated I am not currently attending a target school but would like to know some schools that have decent transfer rates after my freshman year with on campus recruiting.
I hear that it is difficult to transfer to Ivys even with 4.0 GPA first semester. Eyes set on NYU or Wharton.....possibly Harvard but it is not first choice.
Is the common summer internship at Bulge Bracket banks after your sophomore year at college? If so why is this?
How will it look to recruiters that I transfer to a target school just for recruiting?
Any help would be appreciated.
Nick H.
Get a 4.0, transfer to programs such as Georgetown/UVA. Great if you can make it into the ivys but the acceptance rates are 2-3% ( i believe wharton takes 20 kids).
Just be interested in finance, land an internship with anything related to it. Worry about SA stuff come summer unless ur gunning for sophomore SA which tbh doesnt seem that high of a chance
I hear that Cornell has a somewhat decent transfer rate. But I also hear that they are the black sheep of Ivys. If I could get into Cornell would it be worth going to. How is Cornell viewed on the street?
I did a quick LinkedIn search for investment bankers that went to UWEC. I found at least 2. If I can do that you can do that. If I can do that and you cannot do that, then you do not have what it takes for investment banking. Send them an email
I sent one of them a message though Linkedin about a month ago and have yet to get a reply. I did not know if I was networking correctly or not. I did not want to spoil my other contacts with my little networking experience. But thank you for the quick reply.
I will contact the other person. Some pointers and tip about networking would be helpful. (currently googling networking tips)
Based on your GPA and ACT score (which are both frankly kind of low) I'm going to suggest this piece of advice, outwork everyone. I don't know why your marks are kind of low, but it suggests to me that you really need to put out in a big way if you want to stand out. So just grind and grind some more.
HI everyone my name is Sean. Looking forward to finding new information and career here. Thank you for accepting me.
Hello, I am new...
Hello,
I will be giving a quick update in case you are interested. At the state school in Wisconsin I had a great first year. First semester was rough 3.2 GPA... But second semester was a blast and I got a 4.0. I am still interested in Investment banking, but I am also interested in management consulting as well. Over this summer I got accepted to Stanford University's summer session and will be flying out in about a month. (I am very exited). I will be taking Calculus, Intro to CS, and a class where speakers from around the silicon valley will give presentations. I am only slightly interested in computer science, and thought I should take that class and see if it is my true calling. I have been reading books like a fiend as of recently right now I am in the middle of the Lord of The Rings books. I read a few biographies by Walter Isaacson (Ben Franklin & Steve Jobs). I read some fiction; hitch hikers guide to the galaxy and the remains of the day. And a lot more. I try to read my weight in books or more every year.
I would love to talk to some Stanford graduates or current students.
I would love to meet up with some people who might be in the Bay Area, or Palo Alto this summer. (PM me)
Thanks everyone,
Nick H
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