US Target Schools

Great question and it's one that comes up often!

Yes, target schools absolutely get more direct inbound, especially from top firms. They’re part of established recruiting pipelines, which means students often have structured access to OCR (on-campus recruiting), info sessions, and alumni who are already in banking. That definitely gives them a head start at the application stage.

But here’s the important part: once you’re past that initial hurdle - whether through a formal process or networking - what school you went to matters a lot less.

For candidates from non-targets, networking is the great equalizer. It’s not easy, but it works. Cold emails, informational interviews, coffee chats, and referrals are how many break in. I've seen plenty of candidates from lesser-known schools land top roles because they hustled harder, prepared more thoroughly, and made strong connections.

Once you get an interview, it’s about how you perform - your story, your technicals, and how well you fit the team. Bankers care more about whether they’d want to staff you on a deal at 2am than whether your diploma says Ivy League.

So yes, target schools help - but they’re not the only path. You can absolutely create the same (or better) opportunities with the right strategy and effort.

Let me know if you want advice on how to start that process. Happy to help.

Hi,

I’d agree with Rita’s take, and just add that once you’re in the interview room, the university name fades into the background pretty quickly. What really matters then is how well you know your technicals, how you come across to the team, and whether they can see you fitting in when things get intense.

Target schools mainly help with that initial screen, since recruiters can only interview so many people. But I’ve also worked with plenty of candidates from non-targets who impressed in interviews and ended up at top banks. So yes, the school name matters at the start, but after that it’s your prep and performance that carry the most weight.

And once you’re actually in the job, it matters even less. No one on the desk is thinking about where you went to school, they’re paying attention to whether you can deliver and be a good teammate.

Best,

Simon

Hi there,

From what I’ve seen, the name of your university matters most at the very first step, getting interviews. Once you’re past that stage, it’s much more about your technical prep, how you perform in interviews, and the impression you leave on the team. I’ve coached candidates from non-target schools who made it into top banks because they networked hard, had strong internships, and showed they could deliver.

So while a target school can open doors, once you’re in the process, it’s really your skills and drive that count.

Best of luck,
Rita

Hey!

Target schools definitely play a big role in getting your foot in the door since banks heavily recruit through structured pipelines and on-campus events. Being at a target gives you easier access to recruiters, networking opportunities, and interview slots, which can make the initial break-in smoother. That’s why they’re often seen as feeders into investment banking.

Once you’ve made it past the application and landed interviews, however, the focus shifts almost entirely to your preparation, technical ability, and how well you perform under pressure. Inside the job itself, no one cares about your school as much as how well you deliver on assignments and support your team. Strong performance and networking within the firm quickly outweigh the name of your university.

Hi There!

Once you’re past the application stage and actually in the interview process, the prestige of your university matters far less than your skills, preparation, and fit for the role. Banks care more about your ability to demonstrate strong technical knowledge, analytical thinking, and professionalism, as well as how you communicate your experiences and insights. 

Your school can help open doors initially, especially for networking and on-campus recruiting, but once you’re in front of interviewers, your performance and how you handle technical and behavioral questions become the key differentiators.