How Important is Undergrad in On-Cycle PE Recruiting if in a Top Group

Hi Everyone,

I was wondering how important the school you went to for undergrad is in PE recruiting, especially now since first year analysts have very little deal experience prior to interviews.

Personally, I am not 100% sold on PE but am interested so was just curious. I have seen briefly mentioned that it is relevant, but if someone went to a state-school vs an ivy or target school, are they automatically a huge underdog for MF?

I guess all else being equal, how much worse off is someone from a state-school vs a target-school at a top group at a GS / MS / JP for MF recruiting?

Thank you for your perspectives!

6 Comments
 

Im an incoming IB analyst and in a similar situation. From the conversations i've had it seems fairly ok to not be 100% sure of what you want to go into. So for example, if you didnt go through recruiting first year you can try during second year.

The one caveat is that when speaking to recruiters you need to be focused on what you want and why. ex. HF vs PE, fund size, strategy, location etc.

 
Most Helpful

The short answer: a lot. Both my friend and I (non-targets at solid groups at our respective BBs) got no traction with the MFs whatsoever. Another analyst in my group who did on-cycle recruiting but was from a target did get at least one MF interview.

The fact of the matter is that on-cycle recruiting started in late October this year and probably will be early October/late September next year. The earlier it gets, the more it becomes about the prestige of your resume unfortunately.

 

That’s helpful thank you! Curious was this a group like GS TMT / FIG, MS M&A, JP M&A / HC? If not would it have been much different in your opinion?

“If you ain’t first, you’re last!” - GOAT
 

Repudiandae fugiat deserunt cupiditate ut et. Fuga ea saepe alias facilis qui architecto. Atque reiciendis tempore atque. A vel ea facilis ut. Delectus minima fugiat quo labore et.

Career Advancement Opportunities

June 2026 Private Equity

  • The Riverside Company 99.6%
  • KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts) 99.2%
  • Blackstone Group 98.9%
  • Warburg Pincus 98.5%
  • Bain Capital 98.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

June 2026 Private Equity

  • KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts) 99.6%
  • The Riverside Company 99.2%
  • Ardian 98.9%
  • Blackstone Group 98.5%
  • Starwood Capital Group 98.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

June 2026 Private Equity

  • Bain Capital 99.6%
  • The Riverside Company 99.2%
  • Blackstone Group 98.9%
  • Starwood Capital Group 98.5%
  • KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts) 98.1%

Total Avg Compensation

June 2026 Private Equity

  • Principal (9) $653
  • Director/MD (24) $547
  • Vice President (97) $363
  • 3rd+ Year Associate (104) $281
  • 2nd Year Associate (234) $272
  • 1st Year Associate (411) $229
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (33) $157
  • 2nd Year Analyst (95) $134
  • 1st Year Analyst (271) $124
  • Intern/Summer Associate (37) $80
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (351) $61
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
5
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
6
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
7
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
8
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
9
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
10
Jamoldo's picture
Jamoldo
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”