The field of investment banking is one that requires more than just an undergraduate degree. To be able to enter the field, you need a specific GPA, specialized expertise and a strong network. Many future financial professionals are unsure of which institutions will be most helpful in the pursuit of their dream job.
Typically investment banks that are in the bulk bracket employ associate and analyst positions at some universities. These are called « target schools. » If you want to land an entry-level job at an investment bank, it’s imperative to attend one of these schools.
The top investment banking school is one which consistently sends a significant number of graduates to the biggest investment banks and has impressive placement numbers for undergrads. Some of these schools also have extracurricular programs or student groups that let students gain exposure to the business like the Stern Finance Society and Booth’s famous finance curriculum.
This year, Cornell is the best investment banking school, followed by MIT, and Columbia. All three schools are Ivy League and have a history of sending graduates to Wall Street. The University of Texas at Austin is another school that was selected. Its McCombs School of Business has a finance degree and an Investment Banking track.
It will be more difficult to gain access to an investment bank with top-quality when you don’t go to a target school. The best alternative for students who are not the ideal candidates is to start with a regional company in the middle market and then move up to a bulge bracket.