Best Investment Banking Schools
Investment banking requires more than a bachelor’s degree. You need a certain type of GPA, specialized skills, and a strong network to enter the industry. Many financial professionals aspiring to become financial professionals question which colleges will benefit them in pursuing their career they want to pursue.
Bulge bracket investment banks usually hire for analyst and associate positions from a select group of universities. These are referred to as “target schools.” These schools are crucial in order to be able to get an internship at the top investment banks.
The best investment banking schools are those that consistently send an impressive number of grads to the most prestigious investment banks and boast impressive undergrad placement rates. Some of these schools have extracurricular activities and student groups that provide students with exposure to the business. Examples include the Stern Finance Society or Booth’s renowned 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 tradition of sending graduates to Wall Street. The University of Texas at Austin is also on the list. The McCombs School of Business offers an accounting track as well as a finance major.
It is much more difficult to be accepted into an investment bank that is top-of-the-line when you don’t go to an institution that is a target. The best alternative for students who are not the ideal candidates is to start with a regional business in the middle market, and then move up to the bulge bracket.