University of Wisconsin for IB or equities trading?

Hey everyone,

I'm wondering the reputation of UW Madison for IB or trading. Are there a bunch of alumni doing this now? Do UW students get recruited? Do most go on to work in Chicago or do some spread to New York, Houston, and Dallas? Thanks!

 

UW isn't a Harvard or an NYU but you'll typically see 1-2 students out of a class of 120 BB NYC analysts from UW Madison at each bank. So they do have some bright students. It's just going to be a bit tougher for you than it will be for the kid from Harvard.

If you have an admit from NYU and the tuition isn't a hardship at all for your family, I'd still take that. If UW Madison is in-state, you're doing a double major in electrical engineering and finance, and you simply don't have the money, I wouldn't worry too much about turning down even Harvard or Princeton. There's not that much you can do and your opportunities over a 40 year career will still be about the same.

 

There's a very specific liaison for undergrads in the business career center to reach out to that helps with i-banking recruitment. The liaison has contacts at every major and minor bank on wall street and will put you in touch with the alumni there who are very responsive. The liaison spends a ton of time networking with alumni and bankers, and getting them tickets / perks when they are back in Madison.

I can't speak to UW's reputation on the street because I was off the street after one SA stint but you will not have a problem getting interviews if you keep above a 3.5 GPA (get into the business school) and network with the contacts you receive. I have friends that went across the board to Chicago and New York... not sure any of them tried for Houston or Dallas.

EDIT: Investment Banking Club doesn't hurt either but it isn't a deal breaker

 

Wisconsin does pretty well for middle market banking.

"For I am a sinner in the hands of an angry God. Bloody Mary full of vodka, blessed are you among cocktails. Pray for me now and at the hour of my death, which I hope is soon. Amen."
 
IlliniProgrammer:
duffmt6:

Wisconsin does pretty well for middle market banking.

Well yeah they've practically got Piper Jaffray and RW Baird in their backyard.

My former roommate did his banking and now PE on the east coast out of UW.

"For I am a sinner in the hands of an angry God. Bloody Mary full of vodka, blessed are you among cocktails. Pray for me now and at the hour of my death, which I hope is soon. Amen."
 
Best Response
peinvestor2012:
IlliniProgrammer:
duffmt6:

Wisconsin does pretty well for middle market banking.

Well yeah they've practically got Piper Jaffray and RW Baird in their backyard.

Why insult Baird like that?

At the information session at UIUC, the presenter mentioned in the first five minutes that they were a middle-market firm and proud of it.

I really don't see how you think middle market is an insult- RW Baird competes in a different market than the Citis and JPMs of the world and they compete extremely well. If I had to do investment banking rather than quant work in Chicago, they'd be the first place I'd want to work.

 

Who cares about the firms rep? If it's a good place to work, pays well, and supports your individual career goals then there's nothing to complain about.

 

For the first job out of college, a firm's prestige and reputation are critical since they determine your exit opps. In finance, that initial post-college job plays a major role in setting up your trajectory for the next decade.

 
mbavsmfin:

For the first job out of college, a firm's prestige and reputation are critical since they determine your exit opps. In finance, that initial post-college job plays a major role in setting up your trajectory for the next decade.

Exactly, but that's hardly synonymous with rankings as different firms have different specializations. Furthermore cultural fit should be a big concern as well. You'd be a fool to take a job at a prestigious firm working with people you can't stand all day long.......the bad word of mouth about you from that could be fatal.

 

If you dominate there and go on BEAST mode, you will get looks from Chicago banks and trading firms. NYC BB will be VERY tough since it is so dominated by the east coast schools.

If you badly want NYC BB, try to transfer to an ivy.

 

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