university - target or semi target or non target

Hi all, wondering what your thoughts are onjjjjjjas a potential target / semi target / non target. I know they place really well at some firms like GS, Barclays but also place next to none at a lot of other firms like Citi or CVP. How is Brown regarded the on the street and will it hold one back in recruiting?

2 Comments
 

Based on the most helpful WSO content, Brown University is generally considered a semi-target for investment banking and other high finance roles. Here's a breakdown of its standing:

  1. Strengths in Placement: Brown has a strong track record of placing students at top firms like Goldman Sachs (GS), Morgan Stanley (MS), and Barclays. Additionally, firms like P72, Citadel, and Jane Street actively recruit from Brown for hedge fund and quant roles. Consulting placement is also impressive, with many students landing offers at MBB (McKinsey, Bain, BCG).

  2. Limitations: While Brown performs well at certain firms, it doesn't have universal coverage across all top-tier banks. For example, firms like Evercore (EVR) and JPMorgan (JPM) have been noted as less consistent in recruiting from Brown. This variability in placement is why it is categorized as a semi-target rather than a full target.

  3. Recruiting Challenges: As a semi-target, students at Brown may need to put in extra effort to network and secure interviews at firms that don't recruit heavily on campus. However, the alumni network is known to be supportive, which can help bridge this gap.

  4. Overall Assessment: Brown's reputation on the street is solid, and it won't hold you back in recruiting if you leverage its strengths, maintain a strong GPA, and actively network. However, compared to schools like Wharton, Harvard, or Stanford, which are considered full targets, Brown's reach is slightly more limited.

If you're considering Brown, know that it offers excellent opportunities, but success will depend on your initiative and ability to navigate the recruiting process effectively.

Sources: Brown University is by far the most underrated Target/Semi-Target, Recruiting is straightforward?, The Myth of the "Target School", What WSO get's wrong about "target" vs. "non-target" - Employer View

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

Et impedit modi consectetur ut amet. Est quae velit vel facere qui id qui.

Career Advancement Opportunities

October 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

October 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

October 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

October 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (57) $264
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (28) $184
  • Intern/Summer Associate (16) $161
  • 1st Year Analyst (84) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (76) $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
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
3
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
4
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
5
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
6
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
7
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
8
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
9
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
10
numi's picture
numi
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...”