<p>First off, I understand that school rank matters, I have a choice between UCLA, UW(university of washington), USC, and UNC.</p>
<p>I am instate for UW, but I am contemplating going to UCLA. </p>
<p>But, can I break into Investment Banking with just a degree in Chemistry? I have taken a lot of upper division math, i.e. Diff Eq, Linear Algebra, Numerical Methods Applications, etc.</p>
<p>I can also possible get a minor in Finance.</p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>Banks tend to select a diverse group of students for each analyst class in both racial profile as well as field of academic study. Analyst classes tend to consist of people ranging from musicians to physicists to financiers, and technically everybody has a shot.</p>
<p>I’m completely unfamiliar with UCLA’s programs but I know it’s respected at investment banks and probably has recruiters from bulge brackets. If you do well in chemistry and can demonstrate you have a passion for finance, you will most likely be able to land a position in banking. That’s just my two cents though. I’m not sure how West Coast recruitment operates.</p>
<p>it’s gonna be pretty hard to break into investment banking from any of those schools. USC might be your best shot</p>
<p>I believe of all the science majors, physics majors are recruited the most for IB and trading, mainly for their strong base in calculus. A lot of traders are hired who majored in math. A minor or double major in math would help significantly. But in actuality, if you simply perform well, get your foot in the door, you should be fine with any science major. As for the schools, you’ll be fine with any of them. But I would place UNC and UW slightly ahead of USC, but it really depends on where you want to work after. Good luck.</p>
<p>It’d only be USC if he was in Marshall Business. I’m certain it would be really hard to get into IB from Chemistry.</p>
<p>Go to UNC, UCLA or USC and try to double major in some finance-related track. If you can double major in finance/economics it would be far easier to tell your story.</p>
<p>If you look at profiles of many MDs (managing directors, not medical doctors)and up at larger firms, you will see quite a number of them have had Chemistry degrees.</p>
<p>Do physics… Those schools aren’t recruited at much though… I’d think UNC and UCLA have the best chances for recruitment.</p>
<p>Its harder from a non-finance field. However, as long as you come up with a compelling reason (ie, you want to work in the _______________ group because you have always been not just fascinated by how _________ works but also the finance side of things, and apply that to chemistry</p>
<p>you’d be fine with a chem degree, just get a great GPA and take some classes in basic econ, accounting, and corporate finance. If you’re interviewing, you will be asked technical finance questions, so be prepared for these, there’s plenty of guides out there that will help.</p>
<p>There’s also lots of ways to tweak your “story” to show interest in IB from a chemistry. Do some research on coverage groups that might benefit from a chemistry major - IE, most BB banks have a chemicals group, or a power and energy group, or a bio-tech based healthcare group.</p>
<p>Do not worry about your major…play college lacrosse.</p>
<p><a href=“On Lacrosse Fields, A Battered Bank Is Still a Player - WSJ”>On Lacrosse Fields, A Battered Bank Is Still a Player - WSJ;
<p>[On</a> Lacrosse Fields, A Battered Bank Is Still a Player - WSJ.com](<a href=“On Lacrosse Fields, A Battered Bank Is Still a Player - WSJ”>On Lacrosse Fields, A Battered Bank Is Still a Player - WSJ)</p>