Investment Banking Major

[nebben]

Currently, I am a sophomore at University of Michigan- Ann Arbor (I only say this because it could be relevant to the strength of the major.) I didn't get into the business school, but I really want to do an investment banking type job. What kind of classes should I take (I have been taking Econ and Stats). I have a 2.9 cummulative GPA, based entirely on last semester in which I stopped caring, didn't attend any class, and got a 2.6 (C in Econ 101 and Statistisc class). This semester, I will have around a 3.8 with an A-/ B+ in Econ. Advice? Similar experiences? I would love to hear it.

[knicknut]

Analytical skills are more important than business knowledge for investment banking. Econ, math, applied math, physics are all looked upon well.

And when you say investment banking, do you mean true IB, i.e. M&A, 100 hour weeks, or financial services in general? There's a slight difference depending on what you want to do.

Either way I'd keep working to get that GPA up, and get an internship this coming summer if you can and definitely your junior year. They help a lot both to let you know if you want to do it and to show them that you know what it's about you and that you know what you want to do.

[fun160]

Take as many stats classes as possible. Just my two cents as a former Wall Street trader.

[lippy]

If you really want to be an investment banker you should be majoring in finance.

Transfer!

[theben]

the "investment banking major" = any ivy league degree. duke/stanford also kinda work.

if you dont have that, a good investment banking major = family/hookups

based on your preliminary report of GPA and that school you are at, I sincerely hope this is a joke post

[Bobb]

Why would anyone want to be an investment banker?

(Besides money)

(I'm actually curious)

[nebben]

Theben,
Is there some threshold of GPA's? I started off a little rough, but I have gotten my act together in a big way. Also, I was under the impression I was enrolled in a reasonably good school for business pursuits. Is this not the case? Enlighten me with more than douchebaggery.

[ImsaKidd]

[ QUOTE ]
Why would anyone want to be an investment banker?

(Besides money)

(I'm actually curious)

[/ QUOTE ]

They enjoy 80 hour work weeks?

[pickless]

you are not gonna get hired as an analyst w/ a degree from your school. only kids from UCLA+ get jobs like that.

[nebben]

Best Undergraduate Business Programs
Rank/School Peer
assessment
score
( 5.0 = highest)
1. University of Pennsylvania (Wharton) 4.8
2. Massachusetts Inst. of Technology (Sloan) 4.6
3. University of California–Berkeley (Haas) * 4.5
University of Michigan–Ann Arbor * 4.5

This is from the US News and World Report 2007. I don't get why my school should preclude me. My grades perhaps, but UM-AA seems to be up there.