How hard are diversity programs to get into and how do they work?

I’m a rising sophomore who is wondering how hard the diversity programs are to get into at the BBs. I’m completely clueless about how it works, so anything would help. Do you interview for them, and if so how would I practice for them.

 

They all tend to lead to accelerated interview processes

Some have phone screens (e.g. Barclay’s Springboard program), some don’t (e.g. Citi Early ID)

You should check their websites periodically to see when their applications open and apply directly through there.

 

Attended a few during my undergrad, all were through online applications only (didn’t have to network for a spot). It’s mainly for underrepresented individuals in finance, specifically POC and/or LGBTQ+ groups. 50% of those diversity events led to an expedited superday within a month or so. And by expedited I mean they generally accept these underrepresented students before their regular recruiting cycle, so make sure you have all your interview prep done if you get accepted.

 

I'm a POC and I qualify for the programs, i'm worried because I've heard that they're pretty hard to get into in the first place and I go to a super non target school. Guess I'll apply when they open up and see what happens

 
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It's not "easy" but it's significantly higher acceptance rate than general pool

Source: diversity talent committee at my BB

 

What are my chances if I go to community college. I’m going to CC for 2 years due to money issues I’m planning to transfer to a target or semi target in 2021 but I’m scared I won’t be taken seriously just because I go to CC

 

As someone who was involved in recruiting, this is patently false.

 

I knew a smart friend in my college who was in the program. The dude was lazy and slacked off hard in his classes, but really smart. The program guaranteed him an interview, and he ended up interning and then getting a ft offer for BX in one of their internal strategy/product groups with a 3.0 gpa lol His classmates were all ivy leaguers with high GPAs.

If you can perform well in an interview, you're set.

 

Much easier than the normal processes. If you can't manage to get an offer in an easier and accelerated process where HR is telling bankers that they need to hire X amount of POC etc, you truly don't deserve a spot at all.

 

I mean I agree to an extent. At the same time there are only so many spots available for diversity, so some people won’t get selected. That doesn’t mean they don’t deserve a spot though. If someone works hard, networks harder and studies interview guides then they definitely deserve a chance

 

Experience going through diversity at an EB: ~150 applicants —> 20 invited to event/automatic first rounds —> 5 invited to a super day —> 2 offers

This is just one data point, still competitive but I’d say as diversity it is definitely easier to get that first round with no connections

 

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