Wall Street Summer Internships -- Just how competitive is it to get one?

Hi everyone,

This is my first post on WSO! I am a Junior right now at a top tier college studying finance, and will be applying for the wall street summer internships very soon. Ideally, I would love to work in either Asset Management or consulting. We have recruiters come to campus early in the spring, but from what i've seen so far, the interview and recruiting process is very fixed. It seems like anyone who "knows someone" or has a connection gets the interview and job, even if their gpa/resume is much less impressive than others.

Basically, I'm getting worried about the application process. If I don't have a family member on the board, or serious connections on wall street (like so many of my peers do), does this greatly lower my chances of getting a job? Or is this process the old fashion method of highest gpa and most qualified candidate wins?

I'm pretty average with a few finance internships and a 3.33 GPA (hopefully going up). I would really love some feedback on what I can do to give myself a better standing, networking 101, or just any tips on what I can do to get one of these internships!

Thanks so much!

 

Network Network Network.

You are competing against thousands of different applicants with higher GPAs and pedigreed schools. If you have anyone at your firm who is pulling for you, it can dramatically increase your chances.

I'd say you need to:

  1. Network: don't carpet bomb your resume but reach out to alumni, friends, family and whoever has a strong role at the company you want to work for.

  2. Learn all about the firm/role you want--if you can show them you have focus and passion for finance, it'll make a damn good "So why do you want to work for X" story.

 

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