Thats right.
All the recruiters hit the top campuses and if you have that Harvard degree, your already through the doors of the top brokers.
You have to remember a few things about Harvard though. Getting into Harvard (and staying in) is more then about simply getting good grades. There are reasons why these people are at Harvard and thats because they have proven themselves to be able to execute. If you have ever met someone who went to Harvard then you would know exactly what I mean. These guys are highly motivated heavy hitters and they knew what they wanted to do from the time they were in elementary school. Believe me, they will sell.
This doesnt mean everyone who went to an Ivy League school is truely talented (i.e. George W. Bush). However, Im willing to bet the vast majority have proven themselves in one form or the other.
If you graduated from a state school, then its not a total loss, but I dont think anyone is going to be holding the front doors of Morgan Stanley open for you. I think you will have to sneak in through the service entrance.
If I was going to be a broker, discount or otherwise, then I wouldnt go with Scott-trade. I would apply to Morgan Stanley's or UBS financial advisor program. They recruit so many people that the chances of getting the job are great. In addition, "Morgan Stanley" looks more impressive on a resume then "Scottrade". Once Im there, then I would make contacts from within the company and attempt to transfer to the trading area. Im betting that it would be easier to transfer from within the company then applying from outside. Thus "sneaking through the service entrance".
Making contacts from within the company is not hard. Its just matter of picking up the telephone and being bold. Find out who works at the trading desk through the company directory, call them up and ask them if you can go to lunch or get some drinks at happy hour.
The front doors will be held open for the Ivy Leaguers while the rest of us will have to sneak through the service entrance.
Quote from cashmoney69:
So a Harvard grad who cant sell sh-t, is going to get the job over someone who went to a "random" state school but has better selling ability?.. I guess coming from money has its perks.