<p>How competitive is it to get an entry level job(analyst) at one of these top investment banking firms (sachs, lynch,etc.) if one was applying with a Business BA from a mid level school like UCLA? Are high GPA and high test scores enough? If not what are some other programs and factors that these companies favor? Thanks</p>
<p>I think you have to fit in with the company culture of those firms and interview really well to get those IB jobs. Once you get past a point of going to a good school, and having a certain GPA it's your interpersonal skills and charisma that will get you those jobs.</p>
<p>I understand that aspect but do you know of any activities ie interships that those types of companies are looking for? thanks</p>
<p>Having just high GPA and high test scores is absolutely not enough. I-banks routinely reject boatloads of candidates with stellar numbers. </p>
<p>On the other hand, I-banks will also hire people with relatively mediocre scores and no previous experience. I know one guy who got an offer to be an I-banking analyst at Morgan Stanley despite having a GPA in the low 3 range, and having no previous industry experience. However, he does have what I would call the 'I-banking look', and he is a very poised and confident speaker.</p>
<p>Funny Sakky, but you're right. There is a look, a personality type. But you still need to have gone to the right school! Don't know if UCLA is on the list these days, it wasn't in the day....</p>
<p>Well, when you say that you need to have gone to the right school, I think you're being too strong. I know of several IB analysts at Goldman Sachs, Merrill Lynch, Deutsche Bank, and other bulge-bracket firms who got hired after graduating from such places as CCNY, Fordham, SUNY-Stony Brook, Rutgers, UConn, and other places that aren't exactly elite. </p>
<p>However, what is clearly true is that coming from an elite school does help a lot. It's not absolutely required, but it is helpful.</p>
<p>Very helpful. Unless you have connections or are one of those rare finance wizzes.</p>