FEATURED Size Me Up For Getting In

[Trigger1]

UCL - Management course. (Unconditional)
Aiming for BO Technology Spring Week internships..
A levels - A*AA - Maths, CompSci & Econ
Fujitsu and GSK work experience in Tech
Managed to complete EC's in various projects, designing real life impact projects on businesses..
NCS project
Programming skills in - MATLAB, C++, JAVA and VBA.

You'll be fine, make sure you network.

 

[OneWeCallPro1]

University of Sheffield - Accounting, Financial Management and Economics
A Levels - (A) Business, (B) History, (B) Philosophy.
2 years retail exp - part time
1 year retail management exp - full time over gap year
Play sports at City and County level and will continue to at uni
Founded a small custom PC building business
Done some Coursera courses on Finance & BMC from Bloomberg.
Plan on joining the university investment fund over £100k at uni of Sheffield.
Reason for future tense is I'm not at uni yet although will be in following weeks. How do you think my application stands for SW. The uni is good (Russell Group) but not really a target or semi target and a levels in comparison to rival candidates are average. Any advice cheers.

 

[Trigger1]

University of Sheffield - Accounting, Financial Management and Economics
A Levels - (A) Business, (B) History, (B) Philosophy.
2 years retail exp - part time
1 year retail management exp - full time over gap year
Play sports at City and County level and will continue to at uni
Founded a small custom PC building business
Done some Coursera courses on Finance & BMC from Bloomberg.
Plan on joining the university investment fund over £100k at uni of Sheffield.
Reason for future tense is I'm not at uni yet although will be in following weeks. How do you think my application stands for SW. The uni is good (Russell Group) but not really a target or semi target and a levels in comparison to rival candidates are average. Any advice cheers.

You don't stand much chance for FO to be honest. I'd personally shoot for the middle office.

 

[banana314931]

Opinion on chances for FO SW when attending University of Exeter and studying Economics and Finance

 

[Trigger1]

Opinion on chances for FO SW when attending University of Exeter and studying Economics and Finance

It's possible, but you need to stand out.

 

[Awais Ali1]

Aiming for S&T Spring Weeks in my second year since I have a masters planned
Warwick University Bsc Economics First year result : 56%
A Levels: A* for Maths, A for Physics, B for Economics, B for German, A for AS Further Mathematics, A for AS Business Studies

Experiences :
Analyst Intern at Rocket Fuel (Marketing Strategy Consultancy)
Schroder's Spring Insight Programme
Market Analyst Intern at Amplify Trading
Strategist Intern at Lloyds Banking Group
QMUL engineering spring school
ECs:
Deputy head of Marketing of Warwick Emerging Markets Society
Selected Economics Mentor at Warwick University for 1st years
Mathematics Tutor at my school
Volunteer for a charity

Can speak English, Urdu and Business Proficient German
Know various techniques in trading
Decent proficiency on Python, VBA, SQL and Matlab
Won the Nomura Trading Game at Warwick University

 

[Fishy1]

Aiming for S&T Spring Weeks in my second year since I have a masters planned
Warwick University Bsc Economics First year result : 56%
A Levels: A* for Maths, A for Physics, B for Economics, B for German, A for AS Further Mathematics, A for AS Business Studies

Experiences :
Analyst Intern at Rocket Fuel (Marketing Strategy Consultancy)
Schroder's Spring Insight Programme
Market Analyst Intern at Amplify Trading
Strategist Intern at Lloyds Banking Group
QMUL engineering spring school
ECs:
Deputy head of Marketing of Warwick Emerging Markets Society
Selected Economics Mentor at Warwick University for 1st years
Mathematics Tutor at my school
Volunteer for a charity

Can speak English, Urdu and Business Proficient German
Know various techniques in trading
Decent proficiency on Python, VBA, SQL and Matlab
Won the Nomura Trading Game at Warwick University

Those are pretty good experiences. Why are you aiming for a SW if you're a second year though?

 

[Awais Ali1]

Those are pretty good experiences. Why are you aiming for a SW if you're a second year though?

Thanks!

I am planning to do a masters straight after undergrad which makes me eligible for Spring Weeks apps in my second year. Also I am afraid I wont stand much chance at the moment for most Summer programs so I am probably better off applying for SWs.

 

[Fishy1]

Thanks!

I am planning to do a masters straight after undergrad which makes me eligible for Spring Weeks apps in my second year. Also I am afraid I wont stand much chance at the moment for most Summer programs so I am probably better off applying for SWs.

Oh fair enough. Actually you've got a good amount of experience, I definitely think just based on your CV, you could very well get an interview for a summer internship - assuming you pass the psychometrics and have a strong cover letter. Good luck anyway.

 

[Awais Ali1]

Oh fair enough. Actually you've got a good amount of experience, I definitely think just based on your CV, you could very well get an interview for a summer internship - assuming you pass the psychometrics and have a strong cover letter. Good luck anyway.

I am applying to quite a few investment managers & IBs for summer that don't do spring weeks like M&G, Fidellity, Evercore so hopefully I can get something

And yup those tests are a complete pain in the ass, also I heard IBs don't really pay too much attention to cover letters according to some analysts since when they get a application with a cover letter at 3am while they are working on a IPO they really cant be asked reading it and just glance through the CV for 20 Seconds before shortlisting for interview lol.

 

[Fishy1]

I am applying to quite a few investment managers & IBs for summer that don't do spring weeks like M&G, Fidellity, Evercore so hopefully I can get something

And yup those tests are a complete pain in the ass, also I heard IBs don't really pay too much attention to cover letters according to some analysts since when they get a application with a cover letter at 3am while they are working on a IPO they really cant be asked reading it and just glance through the CV for 20 Seconds before shortlisting for interview lol.

I've read that as well, however I think it's more common with US bankers. ( I think) London bankers tend to pay more attention to your cover letter.

 

[Watawata1]

Aiming for Spring Weeks IB FO.

Nationality: Portuguese
School and Degree: Nova School of Business and Economics (Economics)
High school grades: 18,6/20 with 19 (A* equivalent) at Maths (and Portuguese, English, and Biology). Since this is difficult to evaluate for you guys: my grades meet the minimum requirements for application to Oxford E&M for example.

Extracurriculars:
First prize at high school entrepreneurship competition held by a big national company (led my school's team). As a result traveled to Bilbao, all expenses paid, to visit an entrepreneurship school and incubator.

Coordinated a group project in bio-engineering, achieving:
- Award at the national science fair (100 participants);
- First national prize in a science meeting held in Lisbon (out of 10 projects);
- Participation in another major national science fair (100 projects selected out of 1000).

Currently participating in the organization of the next edition of that science meeting (to be held in August, still in an early phase).

Toastmasters (started recently).


Probably will include some more once I start uni this month.

Questions: Is my school hurting my chances? Are my chances any good? Are my ECs actually relevant?

Thanks!

 

[Trigger1]

Aiming for Spring Weeks IB FO.

Nationality: Portuguese
School and Degree: Nova School of Business and Economics (Economics)
High school grades: 18,6/20 with 19 (A* equivalent) at Maths (and Portuguese, English, and Biology). Since this is difficult to evaluate for you guys: my grades meet the minimum requirements for application to Oxford E&M for example.

Extracurriculars:
First prize at high school entrepreneurship competition held by a big national company (led my school's team). As a result traveled to Bilbao, all expenses paid, to visit an entrepreneurship school and incubator.

Coordinated a group project in bio-engineering, achieving:
- Award at the national science fair (100 participants);
- First national prize in a science meeting held in Lisbon (out of 10 projects);
- Participation in another major national science fair (100 projects selected out of 1000).

Currently participating in the organization of the next edition of that science meeting (to be held in August, still in an early phase).

Toastmasters (started recently).


Probably will include some more once I start uni this month.

Questions: Is my school hurting my chances? Are my chances any good? Are my ECs actually relevant?

Thanks!

Your have very low chances. You attend a no-name university with some competition you won, along with your medicore EC activities. Do you have work experience? Unless you do and they are good, I wouldn't apply.

 

[Watawata1]

Your have very low chances. You attend a no-name university with some competition you won, along with your medicore EC activities. Do you have work experience? Unless you do and they are good, I wouldn't apply.

It's ranked in the top 30 EU business schools by the Financial Times, above Durham and WHU. Is it that bad?

No, I don't have work experience.

 

[Trigger1]

It's ranked in the top 30 EU business schools by the Financial Times, above Durham and WHU. Is it that bad?

No, I don't have work experience.

It doesn't matter. There are a number of other schools in the top 30 with relatively poor placement to banks, for example the school I went to ranks pretty high but doesn't send more than a few people into FO every year. Also, this is for undergrad and not postgrad, which might be different.

You can give applications a go but it doesn't really worth the effort or time to be honest, your profile is just weak. Maybe try reaching out to alumni on LinkedIn who went to your school and now work in London, and see if you can set up a phone call to chat about their experiences and stuff.

 

[John Peterson1]

Guys.. Wrong thread however couldn't get someone's attention with the other threads.

With regards to Credit Suisse's Spring application for the Technology programme, does that require people to sit a Verbal and a Numerical?

I've been hearing different, they don't use tests on Tech applicants..

 

[Awais Ali1]

Hey Trigger I am still waiting for your response on my chances, my profile is located above in page 7

Thanks!

 

[Watawata1]

It doesn't matter. There are a number of other schools in the top 30 with relatively poor placement to banks, for example the school I went to ranks pretty high but doesn't send more than a few people into FO every year. Also, this is for undergrad and not postgrad, which might be different.

You can give applications a go but it doesn't really worth the effort or time to be honest, your profile is just weak. Maybe try reaching out to alumni on LinkedIn who went to your school and now work in London, and see if you can set up a phone call to chat about their experiences and stuff.

I see what you mean. I did message an alumni on LinkedIn who got into GS's SW and is now working there FT. He advised me to apply to SWs, but he doesn't know my grades/ECs.

If I don't get SWs but manage to get internships in local banks, become leader of one or two clubs at the uni, and keep top 1% to 5% grades, do you think I could still have good chances for an SA position at a BB in the last year of my degree?

Otherwise I'm thinking of either not enrolling here and applying for 2017 to LSE/Oxford/Warwick/Imperial + some US colleges. A gap year could also improve my chances of SWs if I focused on ECs/work, right?

 

[Trigger1]

I see what you mean. I did message an alumni on LinkedIn who got into GS's SW and is now working there FT. He advised me to apply to SWs, but he doesn't know my grades/ECs.

If I don't get SWs but manage to get internships in local banks, become leader of one or two clubs at the uni, and keep top 1% to 5% grades, do you think I could still have good chances for an SA position at a BB in the last year of my degree?

Otherwise I'm thinking of either not enrolling here and applying for 2017 to LSE/Oxford/Warwick/Imperial + some US colleges. A gap year could also improve my chances of SWs if I focused on ECs/work, right?

Maybe.

If you are thinking of a career in investment banking in the UK, that's definitely the way to go. With your grades, with a good personal statement you will be fine. Alternatively you can do a masters at those schools, after you graduate, which is kind of the same thing but you'll only get one shot (unlike if you do your undergrad there you'll get 3 rounds: first second and final year plus an industrial placement if you want).

I wouldn't recommend doing a gap year, just getting in to a target school is your best bet.

 

[Trigger1]

Aiming for S&T Spring Weeks in my second year since I have a masters planned
Warwick University Bsc Economics First year result : 56%
A Levels: A* for Maths, A for Physics, B for Economics, B for German, A for AS Further Mathematics, A for AS Business Studies

Experiences :
Analyst Intern at Rocket Fuel (Marketing Strategy Consultancy)
Schroder's Spring Insight Programme
Market Analyst Intern at Amplify Trading
Strategist Intern at Lloyds Banking Group
QMUL engineering spring school
ECs:
Deputy head of Marketing of Warwick Emerging Markets Society
Selected Economics Mentor at Warwick University for 1st years
Mathematics Tutor at my school
Volunteer for a charity

Can speak English, Urdu and Business Proficient German
Know various techniques in trading
Decent proficiency on Python, VBA, SQL and Matlab
Won the Nomura Trading Game at Warwick University

I think you will do fine, but make sure you network. You have so many opportunities being at Warwick you just have to get them.

 

[Awais Ali1]

I think you will do fine, but make sure you network. You have so many opportunities being at Warwick you just have to get them.

Thanks man!
Also is sending off all your sw apps that are open by early October fine or is it too late
Since i have half of my cover letters and competency Qs left but i still need to practice tests so by 4-5th October i should send em all off.

 

[Trigger1]

Thanks man!
Also is sending off all your sw apps that are open by early October fine or is it too late
Since i have half of my cover letters and competency Qs left but i still need to practice tests so by 4-5th October i should send em all off.

Wouldn't say late, but the earlier the better. So aim for the earliest. Work on your cover letter and competency questions, and practise simultaneously. IMO you don't need much practice to get up to speed on numericals, only for logical and the verbal.

 

[Laeffy1]

Just about to start at Warwick (2nd October, incredibly late start date, which probably isn't a good thing)...

GCSE: 5A* and 5A including English and Maths
A Levels: A* Politics, an A in Economics (being remarked atm with a decent chance of jumping to an A*) and an A in History
Starting History at Warwick in a few weeks - this, of course, isn't ideal. However, I have seen so many different responses regarding whether degree subject matters - I'd be interested in hearing from here as well. Clearly lack of Maths skills at least appear to be a weakness for any application of mine.

I don't have any experience in finance itself. All my family connections are in law. However, I have done some work which may be relevant working for a law firm, such as analysing profitability of different departments and different partners within the firm, as well as variation within departments (big versus small cases, type of case within each department). I did some basic accounting work for the accountant at the firm (working out the profit share of two of the equity partners who did not work full time for some of the period). I also did trainee solicitor work for a couple of days because of squabbling over assistants at the firm meant that a partner was left without one. During this period I recorded what was said at meetings with clients for stress claims, and then did the bulk of the work of compiling responses to due diligence requests for the sale of a business.

Other work experience has little of interest, did some other work years ago for a legal news organisation where I helped manage the website (this was before I realised that trying to become a journalist would leave me in poverty for the rest of my life) and dogsbody work for the above law firm (just tonnes of clearing out and digitalising files and backoffice/admin work).

In terms of other interests - Grade 8 violin, will play in the orchestra there. At school I took part (and basically led our team since the official leader did nothing) in Target 2.0 competition, for which you give a presentation to members of the Bank of England in which you basically perform the role of a shadow MPC. I also won the school Economics Research Prize for an essay on the Eurozone crisis.

I will join the finance society and probably various relevant and available economics and politics societies there as well.

I have one contact in finance, but they work in PR for their organisation rather than in trading or the like - but I assume it could still be helpful.

In terms of the application:

How good do you have to be doing at these psychometric tests? I practiced for a few hours today, but I have no idea what would constitute a good/pass mark in them. For example, I got 80% in this test after a few tries. Although I'm not bad at Maths, it is hardly my strongest area, though the difficulty is completing the questions so quickly rather than the Maths itself. I haven't tried the other tests yet.

Any advice?

 

[Trigger1]

Just about to start at Warwick (2nd October, incredibly late start date, which probably isn't a good thing)...

GCSE: 5A* and 5A including English and Maths
A Levels: A* Politics, an A in Economics (being remarked atm with a decent chance of jumping to an A*) and an A in History
Starting History at Warwick in a few weeks - this, of course, isn't ideal. However, I have seen so many different responses regarding whether degree subject matters - I'd be interested in hearing from here as well. Clearly lack of Maths skills at least appear to be a weakness for any application of mine.

I don't have any experience in finance itself. All my family connections are in law. However, I have done some work which may be relevant working for a law firm, such as analysing profitability of different departments and different partners within the firm, as well as variation within departments (big versus small cases, type of case within each department). I did some basic accounting work for the accountant at the firm (working out the profit share of two of the equity partners who did not work full time for some of the period). I also did trainee solicitor work for a couple of days because of squabbling over assistants at the firm meant that a partner was left without one. During this period I recorded what was said at meetings with clients for stress claims, and then did the bulk of the work of compiling responses to due diligence requests for the sale of a business.

Other work experience has little of interest, did some other work years ago for a legal news organisation where I helped manage the website (this was before I realised that trying to become a journalist would leave me in poverty for the rest of my life) and dogsbody work for the above law firm (just tonnes of clearing out and digitalising files and backoffice/admin work).

In terms of other interests - Grade 8 violin, will play in the orchestra there. At school I took part (and basically led our team since the official leader did nothing) in Target 2.0 competition, for which you give a presentation to members of the Bank of England in which you basically perform the role of a shadow MPC. I also won the school Economics Research Prize for an essay on the Eurozone crisis.

I will join the finance society and probably various relevant and available economics and politics societies there as well.

I have one contact in finance, but they work in PR for their organisation rather than in trading or the like - but I assume it could still be helpful.

In terms of the application:

How good do you have to be doing at these psychometric tests? I practiced for a few hours today, but I have no idea what would constitute a good/pass mark in them. For example, I got 80% in this test after a few tries. Although I'm not bad at Maths, it is hardly my strongest area, though the difficulty is completing the questions so quickly rather than the Maths itself. I haven't tried the other tests yet.

Any advice?

Start working on your applications already so when banks come to campus you can meet them, incorporate that into your answers and you can send them off immediately. Degree doesn't matter, don't worry. Psychometric tests are very important as it can mean the end of your application, so prepare thoroughly (especially you as you are from a non-quantitative background).

That contact in PR may be able to help you if he knows people in the investment bank.

 

[Laeffy1]

Alright, will buy one of those packs tomorrow.

Can you describe what exactly what happens when the banks come to your campus?

 

[Trigger1]

Alright, will buy one of those packs tomorrow.

Can you describe what exactly what happens when the banks come to your campus?

They usually give a firm presentation but it can be a dinner, lunch, bbq, coffee or whatever the point is you get to meet representatives from the company and HR as well.

 

[AspiringB1]

Chance me: (Applying for S+T & Asset Management Summer Internships)
Semi-Target studying Economics- predicted 2.1 or above
A-levels: A*A*A
Spring week (not converted) at a BB
Insight day at another BB

Extracurriculars include work with the finance division at University (albeit a small role), voluntary work, a few long part time jobs in retail and a few other bits

Any advice on what I could do to further strengthen my apps? Going to start prepping for the process again - I did get far in a quite a few apps last time but they all seemed to clash on dates or messed up final round interviews.

Also when is the best time to apply for summer internships? Mid-Sept time? People are already talking about a few which are supposedly open? Hope to apply far and wide to a lot of firms.

 

[Trigger1]

Chance me: (Applying for S+T & Asset Management Summer Internships)
Semi-Target studying Economics- predicted 2.1 or above
A-levels: A*A*A
Spring week (not converted) at a BB
Insight day at another BB

Extracurriculars include work with the finance division at University (albeit a small role), voluntary work, a few long part time jobs in retail and a few other bits

Any advice on what I could do to further strengthen my apps? Going to start prepping for the process again - I did get far in a quite a few apps last time but they all seemed to clash on dates or messed up final round interviews.

Also when is the best time to apply for summer internships? Mid-Sept time? People are already talking about a few which are supposedly open? Hope to apply far and wide to a lot of firms.

Meet as many people from the industry as possible and talk to them.

Best time to apply is as early as possible. If people already talk about a few being open, ask them which ones are or research it yourself and then make your application.

Do apply to as many places as possible because it can be a numbers game. Spend most of your time on banks where you have some kind of connection (spring week, relative working there or someone you met from the company). That will radically increase your chances.

 

[Terry Tibbs1]

Chance me:

Applying for IBD Summer Internships
Semi-Target moving into 3rd year of a physics masters (top 5 physics course in the country)
A-levels: A*A*A

Work experience:
Couple of weeks at a wealth management firm doing some financial due diligence for DCF valuations, joining meetings/conference calls with fund managers and and analysing companies on bloomberg.

Insight day at a local wealth management firm sitting in on meetings with clients.

6 weeks at an accounting firm analysing company transactions for tax returns.

ECs:
Member of uni finance society, won a valuation competition and presented on various topics in finance.

Physics PASS tutor, providing academic support for first years

Air cadets, various activities showing leadership/teamworking skills, voluteering etc. (two years ago)

 

[Trigger1]

Chance me:

Applying for IBD Summer Internships
Semi-Target moving into 3rd year of a physics masters (top 5 physics course in the country)
A-levels: A*A*A

Work experience:
Couple of weeks at a wealth management firm doing some financial due diligence for DCF valuations, joining meetings/conference calls with fund managers and and analysing companies on bloomberg.

Insight day at a local wealth management firm sitting in on meetings with clients.

6 weeks at an accounting firm analysing company transactions for tax returns.

ECs:
Member of uni finance society, won a valuation competition and presented on various topics in finance.

Physics PASS tutor, providing academic support for first years

Air cadets, various activities showing leadership/teamworking skills, voluteering etc. (two years ago)

It all doesn't matter. Just network your "ass" off.