<p>On a prior thread I suggested that one can get to Wall Street from a great many schools (I listed 70) and that Wall Street has tiered levels of regard for the intellectual strength of students coming from these various undergraduate institutions. In the course of that discussion, the topic of "feeder schools" was repeatedly raised. So, in response to that interest, I now ask, "What are the best schools to attend to get to Wall Street?" Please don't limit your responses to just the traditional investment banking analyst jobs, but take into account the many professional areas of investment banks and consider as well the Buy side of Wall Street, including asset management, private equity, hedge funds, etc.</p>
<p>NYU Stern has to be at the top of the list of "feeder" schools. I'm not saying it's the best B-school in the nation, but in terms of how many/percent of graduates that end up on Wall Street, I'd be very surprised if it wasn't #1.</p>
<p>Are you often including back office jobs? The analysts at the banks (2) I've interned at came from the same few schools except for a couple that were very connected wo went to good but not top schools. NYU Stren and Columbia would be the recruited schools in NYC. I know 1 black guy at a top ibank from CUNY Buruch.</p>
<p>Also I find your final sentence curious, Hawkette. I didn't really read the other thread because it got too bulky for my tastes, but I'm pretty sure the vast majority of college graduates start on the sell side. The percentage that leave school and start directly on the buy side are pretty low.</p>
<p>Why is it a presumption that everyone wants to live in NYC and or work on Wall Street? I can think of few things less desirable.</p>
<p>suze,
I'm not including back office jobs.</p>
<p>collectivsynergy,
I think that the Buy side gets way too little consideration from college students and even less from high schoolers trying to factor that into their college selection process. I include the Buy side to include the large asset management firms of the world, eg Blackrock or some other large branded firm, who are likely hiring more undergrad than are private equity and the hedge fund shops. </p>
<p>barrons,
I actually agree with you. No presumption here, but it is something that is talked about often on CC and thus I thought it might be an interesting topic. </p>
<p>I probably should have titled the thread something like "college recruiting and the world of finance" as there is so much good and interesting stuff happening outside of NYC. Frankly, your experience in real estate finance might help expand the view of high schoolers and college students to an interesting part of the financial world that is not often considered as a career option.</p>
<p>Barron nobody here has made that assumption; it's simply the topic at hand</p>
<p>I worked as an intern for 9 months this year in NYC (with time in their HK and London offices) at a bulge bracket firm. I worked very hard and worked long hours. I learned an amazing amount. I made multiples of the money I would have made anywhere else and it will contribute enormously to my college costs. Would I do it forever? I doubt it as I probably want kids. Will I do it more to pay for college and put some $$ in the bank. You betcha. I really enjoy it and the rewards are huge. My boss sent me on assignment to HK over Christmas because my boyfriend was there. I'm sure my bonus was supersized because my bosses knew I was paying for a big part of my undergrad degree. If you're good, they take care of you.</p>
<p>"Why is it a presumption that everyone wants to live in NYC and or work on Wall Street? I can think of few things less desirable."
The bonuses on WS are HUGE so it attracts money driven-types. These folks work VERY long hours and generally have no life. Some burn out and leave after a couple of years. Others get sucked in and don't even know what they're missing on the outside. Be careful what you wish for...</p>
<p>I would agree with collectivsynergy that basically college grads with no work experience mostly start on the sell-side. I don't think it's so much that they overlook the buyside as much as they can't get a job and there are far fewer jobs available. The buyside isn't structured with 100 person analyst classes and generally look to hire people who already have experience that they don't have to spend so much time training.</p>