<p>I'm going to be a Freshman at Harvard in the Fall, possibly majoring in Physics or Economics. People on this forum always seem to say that internships will be hard to get unless you're from HYPW. But seeing as that I am lucky enough to be coming from Harvard, what would my chances be of landing good internships as an undergraduate at places like Blackstone, Atticus, Bridgewater, D.E Shaw, or Fortress? Or at larger offices like Goldman Sachs? Is it possible to get internships after freshman year if I have close to a 4.0 GPA?</p>
<p>I don't know much about hiring practices in the industry, so any advice would be helpful.</p>
<p>You probably won't get internships at D.E. shaw after freshman year. What are you exactly interested in? </p>
<p>You do understand that the first Blackstone, Bridgewater, D.E. shaw are PE groups, right? GS is obviously huge, so it really depends on where you want to work in GS. PE is really hard to break into, and I honestly don't think you should be thinking about a place like D.E. Shaw, which is known for attracting quant nerds with math PHD's from schools like MIT, until senior year. If you want IBD or S&T, you probably won't get anything until junior year (maybe as a sophomore, but unlikely. GS loves Harvard, but they love Wharton even more). I'm sorry but I'm not too sure about Fortress or Atticus</p>
<p>It is definitely possible to get internships if you have close to a 4.0. However, even though the school has somewhat of a reputation for grade inflation, getting close to a 4.0 is by no means easy.</p>
<p>Unless you did well at one of the international Olympiads or do well on the Putnam this fall, you really have no shot at DE Shaw after freshman year. Unless you have good connections, you should probably try to get an internship at a boutique or PWM. If that doesn't appeal to you, do some physics research. Freshman summer is not that critical.</p>
<p>Internships are available if you make use of the Office of Career Services early on. Keep in mind that unless there are extroadinary circumstances (your daddy is Jamie Dimon or something) you probably won't be able to get a formal internship program in a BB because those are intended primarily for juniors. However, if you do a lot of work, you may be able to, as a freshman, gain an internship in a boutique, or maybe in private wealth management at a BB. Morgan Stanley (not sure) and JP Morgan (this is for sure) also have programs open to freshmen, but those are intensely competitive. Because students are limited to 4 classes 1st semester, and there are freshman seminars with pass/fail, there are a surprising number of 4.0s floating in the freshman class after the 1st year. A GPA won't get you anything.</p>
<p>Bear in mind that many of the first year and sophomore programs at BBs are geared toward women and minorities.</p>
<p>Thank you guys so much for all of the advice. I understand that such opportunities are very competitive and I can't say I expect to get a top internship. I was just looking for verification. I know that Blackstone is a PE, I'm not really certain what branch I want to work in, so I'm interested in trying out several types of finance jobs. </p>
<p>I definitely don't have any connections in the finance industry, I'm hoping to join groups like the VFG on campus to gain connections.</p>
<p>I have two other questions if anyone has the answers. How would places like the ones I listed above view hiring someone with a Ph.D in Physics or Mathematics? Would I be hired as a starting analyst or as an Associate like someone coming out of an MBA program. Also, how would I fare looking for Internships in other places like San Fran, LA, or London. I'm actually from California, so an internship in California might be great after Freshman or Sophomore year.</p>
<p>What would be the application procedures if you try to land even just a BO in freshman summer? Do you apply through the website or contact the HR? Thank you for any answers in advance as I have limited knowledge in careers.</p>
<p>I'll bumb this once to see if anyone has answers to my new questions. If not, I'll let it go.</p>
<p>u go to harvard and can't even spell opportunities right
gl</p>
<p>and regarding your question regarding your chances
the answer is: higher than people from non HYPW schools (assuming you get decent grades)</p>
<p>and about freshman internship, read this:
How</a> to Land a BB Internship as a Freshman | WallStreetOasis.com
What</a> Not To Do | WallStreetOasis.com</p>
<p>Ya I was in a hurry and messed up opportunities. Unfortunately, there is no way to change it. I also read Wallstreetoasis, thank you though.</p>