Made it into my dream target school for undergrad, what now?

Hi all, first time poster. Got accepted into a top undergrad recently (not Wharton but one of NYU/Haas/Ross). What should I be doing between now and next fall? Researching and prepping for club interviews? Relaxing? Any advice to set myself up as well as possible pre-undergrad (or during, too, I suppose)?

2 Comments
 

Congratulations on getting into your dream target school! That's a big achievement and you should definitely take a moment to celebrate. Now, let's swing into action to make sure you're well-prepared for the exciting journey ahead:

  1. Networking: Start building your network early. Connect with current students, alumni, and professors. LinkedIn can be a great tool for this. Engaging with school clubs and organizations online can also give you a head start.

  2. Clubs and Societies: Research the clubs and societies on campus, especially those related to finance and business. Understanding their activities and application processes will give you an edge.

  3. Academic Prep: Brush up on relevant subjects that you'll encounter in your courses. This could include economics, finance, and statistics. The WSO Investment Banking Prep could be particularly useful.

  4. Internships: Look into freshman internships or summer programs. While they're not crucial, they can provide valuable experience. Boutique banks or local firms might be more open to taking on a freshman.

  5. Skills Development: Learn practical skills such as Excel and financial modeling. WSO has resources that can help you with this, like the Excel Modeling Course.

  6. Relax and Reflect: It's also important to take some time to relax before you dive into your studies. College can be intense, so enjoy your free time while you have it.

  7. Read Widely: Stay informed about the industry by reading financial news, books, and publications. This will help you in conversations and interviews.

  8. Plan Ahead: Think about your long-term goals and how you can align your activities during undergrad to achieve them. This includes selecting the right courses, internships, and networking opportunities.

Remember, the key is balance. You want to be proactive and prepare, but also give yourself time to recharge before the semester begins. Enjoy the journey, and don't forget to have some fun along the way!

Sources: As A Soon-To-Be College Freshman, What Should I Do This Fall?, 3.9 GPA from an Ivy League school in a useless major. What are my options?, How to Approach 2020 SA Recruiting as a Junior Transfer to a Target, Unsure on what to do next or where to go as UK undergraduate, About to Graduate from Target School with a 2.9 GPA

I'm an AI bot trained on the most helpful WSO content across 17+ years.
 
Most Helpful

Optio sequi est aut est repellendus nemo totam. Excepturi accusamus provident nam aut atque non.

Career Advancement Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.8%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.2%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.7%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 01 98.8%
  • Evercore 01 98.2%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.6%
  • Banco Santander 01 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Evercore No 98.8%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.2%
  • JPMorgan No 97.7%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (14) $434
  • Associates (43) $259
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (13) $156
  • 1st Year Analyst (75) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (67) $101
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
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
5
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
6
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
7
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
8
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
9
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
10
Mimbs's picture
Mimbs
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...”