Investment banking requires more than a bachelor’s degree. To break into the industry you must have a certain GPA, specific knowledge, and a solid network. Many aspiring financial professionals wonder which schools will help them the most in their pursuit of the career.
Typically, investment banks in the bulk bracket hire associate and analyst positions in a limited number of universities. These are called “target schools.” These schools are crucial for anyone who wants to land a job in the top investment bank.
The best investment banking institution is one that consistently sends an impressive number of its graduates to the most prestigious investment banks, and has impressive placement statistics for undergrads. Some of these schools offer extracurricular activities and student clubs that give students exposure to the industry. Examples include the Stern Finance Society or Booth’s famous Finance Curriculum.
This year, Cornell tops the list of top investment banking schools which is followed by MIT and Columbia. All three are Ivy League institutions that have an extensive history of sending grads to Wall Street. The University of Texas at Austin also made the list. The McCombs School of Business offers a finance track and a finance major.
It is much more difficult to be accepted into an investment bank of the top tier even if you are not a student at an accredited school. The most feasible option for students who aren’t target students is to sign up with a regional middle market firm and then gradually move lateral to an upward-facing bracket.