PE firms that hire non-target undergrads

If this is your goal - go dig up the list of PE firms that hire for analyst roles, there’s a thread on it somewhere, and go network. If you are actually good (gpa, test scores, actually know what you’re talking about and have real interest in PE), you have a shot. Maybe it’s MM rather than MF, but it’s entirely possible. People overthink the target school / non target school thing. It’s not that we wouldn’t hire a 4.0 perfect SAT score absolute rockstar who’s launched a business but is at a state school for financial or family reasons. It’s that it’s just easier to go recruit at the top schools because it’s less to manage and you’ll still find enough talent to fill your pipe so why wouldn’t you. Of course target school is a recruiting advantage and sure you won’t get traction everywhere, but at some level, PE is a meritocracy and people just want genuine talent that can generate returns. Don’t let the snobs on this forum psyche you out.