Thoughts on Williams for UG

Hey all, current HS senior about to commit to Williams. Wanted to get an idea of how it is regarded in the world of IB/PE as I’ve heard a lot of different things. Is it closer to a target/lower ivy brand or is it closer to somewhere like BC. How easy do you guys think it is to break in from there. Especially curious as to how buyside firms will view it on my resume after 2 years of IB if I do manage to break in. Thank you 

4 Comments
 

Williams College is generally well-regarded in the world of investment banking and private equity, especially among liberal arts colleges. It's often seen in a positive light at many firms, particularly where alumni are influential. The school doesn't have the same level of recognition as the Ivy League schools in every circle but holds a strong reputation that can significantly aid in breaking into high finance.

For breaking into investment banking, Williams' strong alumni network and its academic rigor can provide a solid foundation. Many boutique and middle-market firms, as well as some bulge bracket banks, recognize the caliber of students from Williams. After gaining experience in IB, transitioning to the buyside, such as private equity, can be more straightforward, especially if you perform well during your stint in banking.

In terms of buyside firms, after two years of IB, your school's brand might matter less, and your professional experience and network will play a more significant role. However, having Williams on your resume will likely continue to be a positive point, particularly at firms where liberal arts backgrounds are valued for their diverse perspectives and strong critical thinking skills.

Overall, Williams can be considered closer to a target school, especially compared to non-Ivy but prestigious institutions like Boston College, due to its strong placement in finance roles and the high regard in which its graduates are held.

Sources: https://www.wallstreetoasis.com/forum/private-equity/just-broke-into-ib-as-a-lateral-how-do-plan-my-move-to-pe?customgpt=1, https://www.wallstreetoasis.com/forum/investment-banking/advice-for-undergrads-going-into-ib-interested-in-pe?customgpt=1, Is the IB vs. PE Debate Shifting Back Towards IB?, Community College To PE, IB or PE has easier upward mobility? Compensation?

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

EXTREMELY strong. You'll get all the looks you need from Williams. Per-capita placement is amazing.

 

It will be easier to place here than anywhere. If you want GS, it'll be relatively free - there's like 15 kids a year there that get it which is insane on a per capita basis as the other post mentioned. 

You will just need to grind to learn techs. but they're easy and ur interviews wont ever be that technincal

 

Voluptas assumenda ut facere voluptatem repellat explicabo. Fugiat voluptatem non voluptatem maiores. Voluptas est mollitia veritatis at nesciunt a. Sunt qui ducimus quis dolor ut adipisci. Quae consectetur recusandae id blanditiis voluptatibus incidunt. Tenetur cupiditate provident dolorem accusamus ea mollitia. Fugit vel ad molestias et.

Omnis enim non cum magni quidem voluptas ratione tempore. Aut non voluptate illum iure deleniti. Veritatis magni eius voluptate ex occaecati eaque magnam.

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
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
6
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
7
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
8
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
9
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
10
Linda Abraham's picture
Linda Abraham
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...”