SMU in Dallas
I’ve been recently looking at SMU as a student in high school. I really want to break into IB but I know I have to have the right connections and all that stuff. SMU seems to be a cool school. Although, I am concerned about their presence in Dallas and Houston. I am wondering if anyone can give some feedback on if SMU feeds kids into IB.
If you wanna do IB in Dallas or Houston SMU’s placement is just as good as a top target placing in NYC. You will get interviews basically anywhere in Houston, OCR for every bank that has an energy office. If you wanna do NYC IB SMU has a growing alumni base but it wouldn’t be my first choice over NYC targets/semi targets.
If you manage to get into the alts program it's a target. Every single kid in that program goes to IB in LA/SF/NYC/Houston/Dallas.
As for Dallas in IB = I am an analyst at an IB in Dallas (MM) and went to SMU. There are only about 20 or so spots total from all the shops for Dallas (HL, Cowen, Lincoln, Goldman Regional Group. I have numerous classmates at EBs/BBs and MMs all across the country.
I had a fantastic experience at Cox and a tremendous amount of fun in Greek Life at SMU. If you want a fun southern college experience but not at a large state school do it. Also, (not a reason to choose a college) but you will certainly develop an insane network. SMU is also generous on scholarship if you are a strong applicant.
I also grew up in Dallas and had friends go to A&M, Baylor and UT/Rice. If you want to do investment banking, do not touch A&M or Baylor or Rice (great schools but not for IB). At SMU if you are in alts, you would truly have to mess up not to break into IB. IMO in Texas, it's only between UT and SMU for investment banking.
Ranking:
UT Business Honors Program > SMU Alts Program > UT McCombs Non-BHP > SMU Cox Non-Alts