How do you guys deal with feeling like you are perpetually behind and didn't live up to your potential by not attending a target?
I didn't attend a target because frankly, I didn't even know what a target school was (nor what finance was until my 4th year of university). Now that I am breaking in, I feel I am at a constant disadvantage and looked down upon when applying to elite MBAs/strong PE firms, just because of my school.
I wrote the CCAT for Vista Equity and on Udemy's practice CCATs (which I and I think anyone else who wrote them as practice would know they're very representative) I averaged a 47.7/50 and got 49+ on my last few tests, and I've read 45+ is a standout score even to Vista (44+ is 99%ile, 50/50 is 99.9%). I feel like I have this potential I never capitalized on and now my strengths and whatever talent I have is ignored just because of a name on my CV, despite the fact that I feel I can go toe to toe vs. anyone from a better school because they went to prep school/had better guidance.
I've been lucky to have landed an IB internship at a strong Canadian bank in a great city, but that may not materialize into a full-time offer, and I've read that it only gets more competitive/elitist with time, which discourages me further from wanting to pursue finance.
Hi tall_investor, any of these topics helpful:
More suggestions...
You're welcome.
Bro no one cares what college you went to the further out from college you are. Do you think a VP at JPM is sniggering at Jamie Dimon for going to Tufts? Do you think a random MD at Goldman is laughing at David Solomon for going to Hamilton college?
Just use the fact you didn't know what a target was to fuel your fire and desire to be the best
this
I agree with your point but Jamie Dimon’s probably a bad example given he went to HBS and his financial services career only took off during/after HBS.
Not really because he still got MBB out of undergrad and I'd assume the MBB helped get him into HBS
Tufts and Hamilton college are both highly ranked schools, they may not be finance targets but they are well-regarded. Its not like going to your local state school.
was your goal IB SA the second you found out about it in 4th year
No. I merely discovered it. What did say I became interested in pursuing a career in finance about two years ago and I got very serious about pursuing a job in finance, specifically investment banking, about 6_8 months ago
Only focus on what you can affect right now. I turned down a semi-target school because I picked based on a different major. I told myself I would be satisfied at my non-target if I landed any job in banking . Adjust your strategy based on what banks have any connection to your school. You might be surprised how many non-target and semi-target students end up in IB by hustling
You can't tell me going to Harvard doesn't open more doors than going to a no-name school, and since the Ivy League is so ubiquitous on wall street that going to a target will give you more talking points?
People will screen a resume if they don't recognize the school name.
Aren't u in Canada? Why would it matter?
I'll admit target schools matter less in Canada, but if I ever want to bridge into the US finance industry/start my own operation the name I went to carries little weight internationally.
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