Target Insanity

Ok, continuing with my insanity series, lets talk about TARGETS SCHOOLS.

Everyone argues about this and that, here is how I see it.

Target - Obviously top schools fit this bill. If GS/MS/JPM/BOA/DB/UBS recruit from you're school (FO) then you are a full fledged target. Examples include Wharton, Harvard, Stanford, Duke, U Mich, etc. These are typically top schools that we all know.

Semi Target - Ok, this is opaque. Basically if middle market or a few larger banks come for FO spots you can consider yourself a semi target. Additionally, schools with a lot of street alumni, nationally known sports teams, etc can be called semi targets.

Non- Target - No OCR for anything considered FO IBD (BB,MM,Boutique). Very little alumni on the street, no sports teams nationally known.

If you want to work at GS then you should obviously try and go to a target. Can you get into Goldman other ways? Of course, but I am talking about easiest, most direct path.

If you're goal is to get into banking, but you are comfortable going to a smaller bank, regional bank, whatever, then go to a semi target. A lot of these place real well regionally or have a huge alumni network which can help you get 1st round interviews, etc. Places with ranked sports teams are great because it is an instant bonding topic and lets you break the ice real well.

If you go to a non target, you are just going to have to network, pull yourself up by the bootstraps, etc. Yes you can break in, but it will be harder. Does that mean impossible? No, but tough. Be determined and you can make it happen.

That CMU thread kills me. Is CMU a target? It is like this, Harvard >CMU> Wisconsin St.(when it comes to OCR)

You have a better chance to get into banking from Harvard, but CMU has way better chance to break in that WIs State. See how the schools land?

                                                      Target >Semi Target > Non Target
                                                   Harvard >      CMU         > Wisconsin St

Why is this so hard to understand. Target or non target does not mean you're school is shit, that you are dumb or worthless, it just means that is is easier or harder for you to get into FO IBD. Target or not only lives in this microcosm of society. People really need to just relax with this shit. As if me telling you you're school is a target will make things all better.

What they hell ever happened to school pride?? I went to Syracuse for UG and do you ever hear me coming on here crying about the school, trying to convince others I went to a "target". God, the school had no OCR for banking. Have a little school spirit!

I was playing beer pong with some bankers who went to Cornell and you think we started talking about school rankings and crap like that? We talked about lacrosse and the NCAA finals. People really don't give a shit.

 

Let's be real though, if you go to a target, have a 3.5 gpa or better, have a personality, you will get into a FO ibd role. I think the school you attend matters more than all the networking you can do coming from a non-target.

 
Best Response
MoneyKingdom:
Let's be real though, if you go to a target, have a 3.5 gpa or better, have a personality, you will get into a FO ibd role. I think the school you attend matters more than all the networking you can do coming from a non-target.

I dunno... I think you have to know you want to do IBD or at least finance coming into college... I just decided to go after ib this year, go to a target (GS/MS/etc were all here), but dont have any finance classes and have a 3.7 and couldn't land one...

some BB and most boutiques (including elite) specifically state they require fin coursework which automatically eliminates me

 
qweretyq:
MoneyKingdom:
Let's be real though, if you go to a target, have a 3.5 gpa or better, have a personality, you will get into a FO ibd role. I think the school you attend matters more than all the networking you can do coming from a non-target.

I dunno... I think you have to know you want to do IBD or at least finance coming into college... I just decided to go after ib this year, go to a target (GS/MS/etc were all here), but dont have any finance classes and have a 3.7 and couldn't land one...

some BB and most boutiques (including elite) specifically state they require fin coursework which automatically eliminates me

This is absolutely not true. I have seen people who were sociology majors at MS. Most people who go to target schools do NOT major in finance, as most ivy league institutions do not have an undergrad b-school. Also, no bank to my knowledge requires fin coursework.

 

im guessing a big chunk of WSO's revenues come from posters of these "which offer should i take" or "review my resume" threads - college kids who click on the "breaking into wallstreet" ads or purchase WSO guides..

so in a way you're really free labor for the non-existent WSO mods..

ambition is a state of permanent dissatisfaction with the present.
 

All I am saying is I think the vast majority of people know where they stand, they are just trying to justify in their mind that the school they attend is better than it actually is. To thine own self be true.

 

haha that sorta makes my point redundant.

why not just sticky threads dedicated to letting college kids discuss this sorta bullshit so we don't get a new one a day?

ambition is a state of permanent dissatisfaction with the present.
 

I have no clue, I personally support sticky threads. I regularly read a couple forums and they all have it. Do not know if it is a system thing or what. You are right though, should really be a sticky. I think as the forum evolves you will see it happen.

 

I didnt go to a target but ended up at a BB. Going through the ranks as an analyst and now as an associate most people that dont go to a target or semi target face a uphill battle for bonuses, attention, relevance, etc. Perhaps this is just from my experience.

 

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