Investment banking is a field that requires more than an undergraduate degree. To get into the field you must have a certain GPA, specialized knowledge and a strong network. Many financial professionals aspiring to become financial professionals question which colleges will benefit them in their pursuit of the career.
Bulge bracket investment banks typically employ analysts and associate positions from a specific group of universities. They are also known as “target schools.” If you’re looking to get an employment at a top-of-the-line investment bank, it’s essential to go to one of these schools.
The top investment banking school is one which consistently sends a significant number of graduates to the largest investment banks and has impressive placement numbers for students in the undergrad level. Some of these schools have extracurricular activities and student groups which expose students 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 history of sending graduates to Wall Street. The University of Texas at Austin also made the list. The McCombs School of Business offers an accounting track as well as a finance major.
Although you may still be able to get into a top investment bank even if you don’t go to a target school but it’s going to be much more difficult. The most realistic path for students who aren’t targeted is to sign up with an established middle link market company in the region and then gradually move lateral to the bulge bracket.