Non-IBW Kelley????
Hi,
So, I'll be going to Indiana Kelley next fall and I'm interested in getting banking internships and opportunities in the future. I'm 100% going to try to get into the Investment Banking Workshop, but I've heard it's an extremely challenging process.
I understand there are less opportunities for non-IBW students, but by how much???
Also, would it be possible to break into the ib/pe industry from IU (non-IBW) assuming I maintain a high Gpa (3.6+)?
I don't go to Kelley or have any friends who have gone there. However, from reading this board and the responses to some of the Kelley fanatics, I believe Kelley is practically a non-target if you aren't in the IBW. I believe you can still get into MM banking and such, but any BB/EB is probably off limits for non-IBW students (as those spots/interviews are all IBW people). I would focus 100% on trying to get into the right frats and other shit that helps get you a spot on the IBW roster.
I go to Indiana so there might be bias but I'll try to give an objective review. Kelley is a semi-target, not on the same level as the top undergrad business schools but still a good place where BB, EB, MM banks recruit from for IBD. The IBW is a very large organization; up until a week ago before graduation, it had ~230 active students (sophomores through seniors) because it takes 70-80 kids per year. Most public schools are lucky if they send 10 kids a year to respectable banks for IBD. I believe for 50% of the IBW to place at BBs and EBs and another 25% at top MMs is strong for a school that isn't considered prestigious. It's still very competitive to get into though because a lot of smart students are interested and Investment Banking is highly sought after field across the country.
Being in the IBW is large advantage because alumni and interviewers know that it means you're a top student who knows your stuff. This is why a good number of banks have large preferences for IBW kids. They have good reason for doing so, the average IBW kid has a 3.9 GPA and is way more prepared for IB interviews than the average non-IBW kid. It would be easy to tell the difference 5 minutes into an interview. Because of this, you're on the outside looking in if a lot of other kids in your class are in the IBW and you're not. However, you're not completely out of luck, some positives are that you don't have to be in the IBW to take the IB prep classes, attend on-campus firm presentations, and you'll still get some 1st round IB interviews as long as you have a high GPA. It's up to you to network well and impress during your interviews to prove you're a top student. It's very tough but there's a small group of kids every year who do it without the IBW. Recently, there has been a few small moves by Kelley to make IB more accessible to non-IBW kids but it is still gives a big advantage if you get in, especially at the BBs and EBs.
P.S. Aim for as close to a 4.0 as possible. It's not too hard to get a high GPA if you put in the work and try to take classes with as many easy professors as you can. Also, about frats having influence, it's a quick lesson to anyone entering in this industry: who you know matters as much as what you know. So if you don't know anyone, start making friends.