Does anyone with average IQ succeed in PE ?

Maybe a stupid question but been scrolling though tons of PE shops management team and I swear most of them went to ivy leagues and graduated summa cum laude or went to HBS and graduated as a Baker scholar. Is this a common theme in PE? 

Do strong EQ and a good work ethic not cut it in private equity?

 

Might just be my perspective, but I think it’s all about work ethic, but that shows through the strong undergrad and grades and such. I don’t think super high IQ and success inherently go hand in hand.

I graduated summa cum laude at a top 10 undergrad but I don’t think I’m any smarter than many of my classmates. I think I was just efficient and dedicated in my work. I wasn’t naturally gifted in any of my courses, I just studied my ass off, took tons of practice tests, so whenever I was evaluated, I was more than prepared.

 
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