School Transfer for Investment Banking

I am currently a freshman at St. John's University in Queens New York, but I am interested in transferring schools. I am a member of two finance clubs at SJU and have a leadership position in one of them, I am interested in pursuing Investment Banking and I know that SJU is nowhere near a target school. I have done research into other schools to transfer into and I just wanted to know which would be the best one to apply to and thoughts about each. While these schools are not "target" schools I believe they have some semi/low-target capabilities. I am interested in IU Kelley (IBW/Wealth Management Workshop), Maryland University (Wall Street Fellows), Penn State (Nittany Lion Fund), and Rutgers. If anybody has any thoughts about these schools please let me know as I would appreciate a list/ranking of each and some guidance if possible. Thank you and again, I know these are not target schools.

2 Comments
 

Hey there, future Wall Street whiz! It's great to see you're so proactive about your career in investment banking. Let's dive into your question.

Based on the most helpful WSO content, all the schools you mentioned have their own strengths and can provide a solid foundation for a career in investment banking. However, it's important to remember that the school is just one factor. Your personal drive, networking skills, and internship experiences can also play a significant role in landing a job in investment banking.

  1. IU Kelley: This school is known for its Investment Banking Workshop (IBW) and Wealth Management Workshop. These programs are highly competitive and can provide you with a strong foundation in investment banking. Plus, the alumni network is quite strong.

  2. University of Maryland: The Wall Street Fellows program here is a unique opportunity that provides students with the technical skills and networking opportunities needed to break into Wall Street.

  3. Penn State: The Nittany Lion Fund is a student-managed investment fund with over $7 million in assets. This real-world experience could be invaluable.

  4. Rutgers: While it may not have a specific program like the others, Rutgers is still a respected school with a strong business program.

Remember, it's not just about the school but also about the opportunities you take advantage of while you're there. So, whichever school you choose, make sure to get involved in relevant clubs, seek out internships, and network, network, network!

And remember, even if you're not at a "target" school, you can still break into investment banking. It might require a bit more hustle, but with your drive and determination, I have no doubt you can do it. Keep swinging for the fences!

Sources: The Comprehensive List of Transfer Friendly Schools For Investment Banking

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

Qui non possimus quam non. Fuga voluptatibus qui voluptate eius. Eius sapiente aliquid animi et. Inventore qui aut inventore est laborum quasi voluptas.

Temporibus quis non soluta itaque. Vitae nihil laboriosam perferendis eos. Iste officia eum dolorum maxime. Quae nemo ex qui aliquid nostrum.

Career Advancement Opportunities

November 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 99.0%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.4%
  • Guggenheim Partners 02 97.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 97.4%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

November 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.5%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 99.0%
  • Evercore 01 98.4%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.9%
  • BMO Capital Markets 13 97.4%

Professional Growth Opportunities

November 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 99.0%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.9%
  • JPMorgan No 97.4%

Total Avg Compensation

November 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (57) $264
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (29) $183
  • Intern/Summer Associate (16) $161
  • 1st Year Analyst (84) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (77) $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
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
3
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
4
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
5
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
6
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
7
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
8
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
9
dosk17's picture
dosk17
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...”