3.8 From Non-Target?!

My basic gyst was to not be the typical gay ass USA wannabe who interns at X, Y, Z...but who still is worthless.

Do something cool, but be creative and diligent with what you choose.

you have to remember that relevant internship experience is crucial from non-target schools.

Who gives a flying hoot if you went to so and so country or helped at this orphanage. Your trying to convince the bank that you are as good as the target kids and there is no better way to do that than to get prior internship experience in finance hopefully at a well-regarded firm.

I thought you had a 3.98 overall. what is it LUDVIG!!!!

I could jack off on a piece of paper, hand it in and get a 3.98 at North Dakota State.

Not this whole NDS argument again, but tier 1 schools are basically Ivies, Duke, Stanford, MIT, UVA, MICH, Stern...maybe Northwestern/Berkeley if you're really lenient

Northwestern and Berkley if your really lenient?

Yes, for undergraduate ibanking recruiting Northwestern and Berkeley are not as heavily recruited, but at the MBA level Northwestern's Kellog School and Berkeley's Haas are both very heavily recruited for Ibanking.

Yea, I meant undergrad. And Northwestern/Berkeley/Chicago...etc are all tier 1 schools...maybe I should have distinguished between Uber targets and targets

Texas either BHP or NON-BHP, but McCombs is a target or non-target?

HAHAHA, who are these 'most' you speak of. Not adcom, and not the street.

Oh, you must mean ND state natives.

work the alumni connections with your school. that with a great resume and leadership can get you in the door, barring you can interview

God you are a fucking idiot. Michigan not a target? Michigan is top ten in terms of Wall Street placements.

Good luck with your bullshit MA at Maryland. News Flash - Goldman TMT is not going to hire you after that program. You will be lucky to get an interview with Wachovia...

If I were you I would strongly consider a career selling beer coozies on the beach in Mexico.

Poolside,

Guess you didn't hear, but University of Maryland is ranked by US News & World Report as one of the top 25 B-schools in the country.

What makes you think I won't get hired by Goldman TMT?

My academic accomplishments so far (3.98 overall, 4.0 in three majors) combined with a finance background (MS in Finance from U-Maryland) should make the type of well-rounded candidate Goldman Sachs TMT looks for (at least that's what I've been told).

Guess you didn't hear, but US News' B-school rankings don't mean much to anyone.

And as to why you're not gonna have much of a shot at GS TMT (or most places): you think a well-rounded candidate is someone with a high GPA and a MS in finance. That's kinda the opposite of a well-rounded candidate...

You better have more than a good GPA and a masters in finance from tier 2 and 3 schools...because I think the masters puts you on the same "level" as all the target candidates; so you better have some bombass XC's to back it up.

...in addition to being a pretty fucking cool person to hang out with.

"Anything that is not Ivy League, Stanford, Duke, MIT, NYU Stern"

"Not this whole NDS argument again, but tier 1 schools are basically Ivies, Duke, Stanford, MIT, UVA, MICH, Stern...maybe Northwestern/Berkeley if you're really lenient"

NYU Stern is not at all better than Berkeley Haas. Haas is not only ranker higher than Stern, but Berkeley is ranked way higher than NYU. It's true, compared to the Ivy League schools, Berkeley is not as heavily recruited. But, as far as west coast schools are concerned, Berkeley is at the top - right up there with Stanford as far as recruiting is concerned. The only potential caveat is that east coast banking positions can be limited. Still, firms like Lehman Brothers and GS take quite a few Berkeley interns and analysts. I know this isn't the topic of this post, but I can't let people who don't know the truth post inaccurate facts aboout schools.

By the way, a 3.8 from a non-target is not a competitve GPA at all. Unless maybe you're an engineering major.

I think this has been beaten to death here. If you think a great GPA alone will be the deciding factor you are wrong.

To the OP and Ludvig especially - Here is what you need to know: Going to the University of Maryland will NOT be your solution. If anything, you can (and should) make it happen right now from NDSU.

How? You need to be very proactive in talking to people that work at these banks - i.e. IBD, S&T, Capital Markets, and Research. Understand that regardless of being able to meet in person (North Dakota is pretty far from NYC) - if you come across as articluate, able, and driven over the phone (this comes with gaining confidence) - they will appreciate your effort, and may very well pass your resume through the proper channels.

At that point - you will be in the running from NDSU (or any non-target). Will an interview arise from every contact made? Probably not. Will you get some interviews? Its a numbers game - but probably.

That's how you guys should be approaching this process. Do not look for alternative routes. You are standout students at your schools. Most people will not show the initiative by making contacts, and therefore you are a big fish in a small pond. You are a unique candidate coming from North Dakota. At U Maryland, some big banks may take a few top candidates - but your chances will not be increased - in fact, the competition will probably decrease your chances. Hit up alumni, any type of connection to any firm, or anybody who works in finance for that matter. Chances are that your friend knows a friend, and you work from there. Enough said.