Hey all,
I’m currently studying at a non-target university and aiming for investment banking roles at bulge bracket firms. I’ve got decent grades and a couple of internships lined up, but I keep hearing that BBs mostly hire from target schools.
Is it still realistic to break in from a non-target? Any advice on how to stand out or offset the lack of a target name?
Thanks in advance!
Hey There!
Target school status definitely makes the process easier because banks concentrate much of their recruiting there, but it doesn’t make breaking in from a non-target impossible. What it really means is that you’ll need to be more proactive and strategic in building your path.
Strong grades and internships are already a good foundation, and the next step is to maximize networking—reaching out to alumni, setting up coffee chats, and making sure people know your name before your application hits the system. Many non-target candidates land interviews simply because they built relationships with analysts or associates who then flagged their resume.
To stand out, make sure your story is sharp and clearly explains why you want banking, how your experiences prepared you, and what makes you different. Show that you’ve put in the work to master technicals, since that helps prove you’re just as ready as candidates from targets.
Persistence is key here—the process may take more effort, but plenty of non-target students do make it into bulge brackets by combining hustle, preparation, and a strong personal pitch.
It's definitely harder if you come from a non-target university as BBs focus on schools with strong recruiting pipelines, but it's still possible. You have to network a lot, get relevant experience in finance, and be really solid in tech. I've seen people from non-target schools break through by outperforming others and being persistent.
