Cornell PE placement

Cornell's placement into private equity (PE) is generally limited and highly competitive, especially for undergraduates. Based on the most helpful WSO content, here are the key insights:

1. PE Placement from Cornell:

   • Only a small percentage (around 3-4%) of students from Cornell's programs, including the Johnson MBA, secure roles in private equity each year. This is typically achieved through off-campus networking rather than on-campus recruiting.
   • PE firms rarely recruit undergraduates directly, and most successful candidates have prior experience in investment banking (IB) or related fields.

2. Networking is Key:

   • Breaking into PE from Cornell requires leveraging alumni networks and conducting extensive networking. Alumni in IB and PE are often receptive to helping students who put in the effort.

3. Pathway to PE:

   • The most common route to PE is through investment banking. Cornell has strong placement into Tier 2/3 bulge bracket banks (e.g., Citi, BAML, DB) and elite boutiques (e.g., Lazard, Moelis, Evercore), which can serve as a stepping stone to PE.

4. Cornell Nolan/SHA Specifics:

   • While the Nolan School (SHA) is renowned for hospitality management, transitioning to finance roles like IB or PE may require additional effort, such as pursuing finance-related internships, networking aggressively, and possibly obtaining certifications or coursework in finance.

If PE is your ultimate goal, focus on securing a strong IB role post-graduation, as this will significantly enhance your chances of breaking into the field.

Sources: Brown vs. Cornell, Does GPA matter for Private Equity?, Cornell Johnson Placement in IB/PE, https://www.wallstreetoasis.com/forum/investment-banking/breaking-into-private-equity-from-banking?customgpt=1, Q&A: Johnson (Cornell) 2nd Year MBA Ask Me Anything