WORST target / semi target schools?

In terms of quality of person, general preparedness, etc. For example, I was thoroughly unimpressed by the kids I interviewed out of NYU yet we kept coming back to them year after year.

Edit: To clarify, beyond the classic finance hardo stereotype, I found NYU kids to be lacking in critical thinking skills. For example, they could answer any of the questions from BIWS or WSO but if you tried to ask a case study type question or tweak some variables they’d fall apart. Moreover, every time I asked about interests outside of school I’d get blank stares. Obviously this isn’t universally true and there are some great NYU kids out there.

17 Comments
 

Sidenote as a college kid: Would the worst target/semi-target make for a better choice for incoming students?

Ex: If NYU has shitty competition (actually surprised to hear this, given my friends that go there, but w/e) wouldn't that mean that a good student may stand out more at NYU than another target like Kelley?

Yes I said Kelley for the meme

 

You're not going to stand out at NYU. Stern is filled with hundreds of hardos, who think about finance for fun. Sure, there will be some weak Stern kids who end up in banking that might have just gone into IB because all their friends were doing it, but the vast majority are very prepared compared to most candidates. Also, Kelley is a semi-target, not a target.

 

being in LA hurts it...not close to finance...people think its a party school when its one of the top research schools in the world

 

ya im just biased over here but NYU has def the worst students even though its a monster target schools.

if you want to get a guaranteed job on the street go there, but you wont even get close to a college experience.

there is no campus, its all finance classes than a liberal arts school would provide, and the chicks are not hot

LOL i know its super baised but its true

 

Odit incidunt quis voluptates eaque. Quaerat ducimus vero quibusdam delectus. Sapiente iure aut quis asperiores praesentium. Corporis eos est adipisci similique sit. Laborum sit quia quis quia omnis voluptas omnis.

Magnam sint eum qui. Maxime dolores aut temporibus. Et rerum aspernatur quam rerum. Non quod dolores reiciendis cumque est excepturi.

Excepturi laborum impedit autem est fugiat aliquid. Harum incidunt omnis aspernatur. Ducimus quisquam voluptas eligendi magnam nisi natus. Ipsa iusto magnam est non.

Quo eos aut et provident dolor. Sit accusantium libero voluptas tempora sapiente. Id voluptatem ipsum similique ab.

Career Advancement Opportunities

October 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.9%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.4%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

October 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.5%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 98.9%
  • Evercore 01 98.4%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.9%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.4%

Professional Growth Opportunities

October 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • 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

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...”