A couple interns at PE shop I know got in through connections (went to school with friend who's dad was lawyer for PE, or who's dad founded the PE). It's a small pool of openings, but no harm cold calling / emailing.

 

but connections don't have to be your dad being an LP in the fund. It can be you calling up an alum of the school in the firm and establishing that connection. If you can't even do that, your school is not of the type that sends alumns into the industry, you don't know anyone else (not even someone who knows someone etc.) they I'd say the case is hopeless...

 

...applying directly for summer internships at big shops. I know people with no connections who get in but connections, as always, are good things.

 

My friend got one in his sophomore year in college: MS, San Francisco. He was very intelligent: math/econ PhD program material if he wanted to be that way, and I can see him being a quant one day.

As an intern, he worked 9am - 4am for the latter 2/3 of his tenure (and moved to IBD post-college, possibly because of his adversity to the hours). This, being smart enough to be a walk-on for pretty much any career he wanted. This is only one data point, but the moral is: don't expect it to be easy or comfortable but, yes, PE internships exist.

 

Use your school connections. If you go to a top-tier school, you will find at least a couple of alum in top level position at some PE firms. Usually, that's how the game is played in this industry...

 
WanderlustMD:
Has anyone ever heard of summer PE internships in MBA school? (3 year bumps seem to be the trend)

Yeah these exist, usually as "Summer Associate". However, PE recruitment in Business School has become increasingly competitive to the point where PEs favor candidates who already have PE experience.

I'm talking about liquid. Rich enough to have your own jet. Rich enough not to waste time. Fifty, a hundred million dollars, buddy. A player. Or nothing. See my Blog & AMA
 

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