Non-Target—> Top IB—> UMM/MF PE?

Let’s just say you go to a non-target and get a top IB role (GS/MS/JPM/PJT/EVR etc). With very strong grades and work experience in college is it possible to get into a mega fund or UMM? Since these funds are so focused on prestige, how significantly would this hold you back from recruiting on-cycle?

9 Comments
 

Its very doable, just take a quick browse through LinkedIn. It's all about how you perform during interviews, which you shouldn't have a problem getting as long as you come across as polished and well prepared. You're still fighting an uphill battle but you'd be surprised how many stereotypical candidates are unprepared. Prep your ass off and you should be fine.

 

I have no real credibility to say this, but I can't imagine this being a significant impediment, and would argue that getting the top IB role is arguably the bigger challenge. In this situation, you've proven you're a strong candidate by securing a top IB role, which from a non-target is a major uphill battle. If it comes down to you vs a Harvard candidate from GS, then all else equal the target candidate might win the offer. But if you justify to recruiters why you went to a non-target (e.g. cost/scholarship), then you should be in good standing to secure interviews.

 

Thanks for the responses, makes sense. I just have worked so hard and my ultimate goal is to go into PE and I don't want to have felt like it's not even attainable. I also have buyside experience at a very reputable fund that has been mentioned on this site often, so hopefully that will help going forward into recruiting.

 

Lol are you UF MSF going to Evercore? I know one guy who did that and tried to do MF PE. Ended up there, but half the shops said no right off the bat. Was a real uphill battle. So many people from top shops/groups apply to MF PE, why take a 3.9 nontarget from a top group, when you can take a 3.9 target from the same group. That attitude makes it really tough. He said he had a lot of trouble recruiting. Less so in the MM range, but for UMM/MF certainly

 

No I’m not but just used it as an example. Thanks for sharing, good to know.

 

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