Breaking into IBD from PSU without getting into the Nittany Lion Fund?
Hello Everyone,
I've been lurking here for a few months and finally decided to type this up. Also, sorry if this isn't the right spot to post this.
Assuming everything continues going in the direction it currently is, I will be transferring into Penn State next fall as a Junior. I'll be a Smeal Finance student and I do plan on joining the Penn State Investment Association, but after reading some other posts on here it sounds like the Nittany Lion Fund will not allow students to interview for a position on the fund as a Junior.
I hear that Penn State is at BEST a semi-target but more of a non-target if the applicant is not on the Nittany Lion Fund. I have read on different posts that it is extremely difficult and competitive to land a spot in IB in NYC as a Penn State student not on the Nittany Lion Fund.
I was wondering if there are any Penn State Alumni on here that would be willing to let me know if it is worth continuing with this transfer process assuming I am not able to interview for the Fund? Will I be at a significant disadvantage compared to other kids at Penn State since I am transferring in?
Also feel free to ask me to clear anything up regarding the transfer or my previous school history. I did not want this post to be too long-winded considering it is my first. Any advice or insight would be greatly appreciated!
Bump in hopes that someone that is able to help will see this.
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My current school(think small local school) has absolutely no IB opportunities unfortunately. Our last "career fair" had a few local tech companies looking for Comp Sci majors and then just local Walmarts/grocery stores looking for cashiers(not kidding). So, I don't think I have a choice when it comes to staying here at my current school versus transferring out. I do have a 3.89 GPA here but again, the opportunities at Smeal are MUCH more plentiful than they are at my current school
I was thinking about doing 3 years at Main Campus PSU. I had to take 44 credits(14 extra) this year just to prove to Smeal that I truly wanted to transfer. So, transferring as a sophomore is not allowed. I may do the whole MS in Finance that I have been seeing on these threads just to stay an extra year so that I have an opportunity to do an internship.
My major issue is that recruiting for 2019 SA positions is so early. I will not even have a PSU Main Campus GPA by the time I am networking/sending my resume. I have basically come to realize that I have almost no shot at a BB since I am a non Nittany Lion Fund, transfer student. But, I will continue to network and work for it.
I am hoping that once I transfer I can at least join PSU Main's Investment Association and network with/learn from the guys and gals in the coveted Fund.
Sorry for the long reply, I am just really struggling with how to convey my current situation through this website. Thanks for the reply by the way I really appreciate it!
I'll PM you.
I’d like to think that most alumni from a non target tend to have a pack mentality when it comes to helping students get into investment banking. I’d assume most alumni could care less if you were a member of one specific organization, and if anyone did press you in it just claim you hadn’t yet discovered banking. Send out some cold emails and find out for yourself.
Totally agree. You may have a slightly easier time bonding and relating to the person because you weren't in the same club as him/her, but ultimately you can at least bond over the same college and probably similar experiences that you had there.
I also like this point, one I hadn't thought of. If I can find other people that did not go through this club I can use that as a relation point. Thanks for pointing that out!
Yeah I agree with that thought. Although it does worry me that there might be a sort of "frat bro" type culture when it comes to networking with alumni. Like when talking on the phone or emailing if I mention that I wasn't in a particular club or group they may just kind of brush me off. Same theory as fraternity type stuff, "Not in the frat? Too bad I can't help you." Hadn't thought about shooting emails out to alumni and specifically asking for advice about recruiting without a specific fund, sounds like a good idea. Thanks!
I would also emphasize that you shouldn't bring up your lack of involvement in anything when networking.. just a weird way to start a conversation with someone. However, once you've formed a relationship and you notice that they weren't in a certain org you could then broach that subject with them.
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