A degree from an elite university is a huge advantage in the field of investment banking. This is especially the case for bulge bracket banks located in the US and London. This doesn’t mean you won’t be employed at an investment bank if attend a school that isn’t a target school or even semi-target. It requires more effort and a wider network to land an investment banking job.
The most important factor to consider is whether or not your school is “targeted”. These are schools which regularly send large numbers of investment bankers to the largest firms. Banks choose these schools because they know their students possess the appropriate abilities and fit to their culture.
Schools to consider include Harvard, MIT, Wharton, Columbia, Chicago Booth, Kellogg at Northwestern, Darden at UVA and Fuqua at Duke. Other prestigious schools like Imperial College London and New York City’s Baruch College also make the list. The finance programs at these schools are well-known for their analytical rigor and also for their practical applications. They help prepare students for careers in the field of investment banking. These schools provide a variety of networking and educational events for students who are interested in the field.
In addition to attending a targeted school, you can also increase your chances by participating in extracurricular activities that deal with investment banking. This includes attending investment banking seminars as well as joining finance clubs and doing a co-op or internship in finance during your sophomore year. It’s also an excellent idea to include at least two leadership experiences on your resume before recruitment season begins in your junior year.