Trying to gauge the best school for IB (that I got into)

I am trying to gauge what school will give me the best chance for investment banking based on data by Linkedin. I took the amount of alumni from the top banks (GS, MS, JPM, and BOA) and divided it by the total amount of alumni from each school. I got the following results. Is this list pretty accurate?

University of Minnesota Twin-Cities .48%

Indiana University- 1.04%

Penn State- 1.33%

William and Mary- 1.62%

Rutgers- 2.8%

Boston College- 3.09%

Fordham University- 3.71%

Washington and Lee University- 4.47%

Basically each percentage would be what percent of total alumni on LinkedIn are working at a BB. Is this accurate?

8 Comments
 

While your approach to gauging the best school for investment banking (IB) by analyzing LinkedIn data is insightful, it's important to consider several factors beyond just the percentage of alumni working at bulge bracket (BB) banks. Based on the most helpful WSO content, here are some additional considerations:

  1. Networking Opportunities: Schools with strong alumni networks in finance can provide invaluable networking opportunities. While your percentages give a quantitative measure, the quality of these networks, mentorship opportunities, and the willingness of alumni to help also matter significantly.

  2. On-Campus Recruitment: Some schools have stronger relationships with BB banks, leading to more on-campus recruitment opportunities. Schools that are considered "target" by these firms might offer a higher chance of landing interviews and offers, even if their LinkedIn percentage isn't the highest.

  3. Location: Proximity to financial hubs can be a factor. For instance, schools in or near major cities like New York (e.g., Fordham University) may offer easier access to networking events, internships, and job opportunities in IB.

  4. Academic and Extracurricular Opportunities: Programs that offer finance-specific courses, case competitions, and finance clubs can provide practical skills and experiences that are valuable in IB recruitment.

  5. Career Services and Alumni Support: The effectiveness of a school's career services and the supportiveness of its alumni network in helping students prepare for IB interviews and navigate the recruitment process can significantly impact your chances.

Your method provides a good starting point, but combining it with these qualitative factors will give you a more comprehensive view. Remember, individual initiative in networking, internships, and academic performance also plays a crucial role in breaking into IB, regardless of the school attended.

Sources: ., Why is it all about BB/EB on here, Is This A Good List?, Top Investment Banks in each industry 2018, Best Investment Banking schools in the Northeast

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

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