What majors does Goldman Sachs hire?

Goldman Sachs hires from diverse majors, heavily favoring Business/Economics and STEM (Science, Tech, Engineering, Math) fields (around 95% combined), but also values majors like History, English, and Biology, focusing most on strong analytical, problem-solving, and adaptability skills across all roles, from Investment Banking to Engineering to Human Capital Management.

What degree do you need to work at Goldman Sachs?

Our Summer Associate Program and Full Time Associate positions allow both Graduates and Master of Business Administration (MBA) students to learn and grow with our teams around the world.

Which university does Goldman Sachs hire from the most?

🚨BREAKING: University of St. Gallen, The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) and HEC Paris lead the Top 10 Target Universities for Goldman Sachs for 2025. ✅ Follow Commence to stay updated on the latest in Higher Education.

What's the best university for a job at Goldman Sachs?

Goldman Sachs recruits from top universities like Harvard, Stanford, Princeton, University of Pennsylvania (Wharton), Columbia, MIT, and NYU (Stern).

Is Goldman Sachs harder than Harvard?

Yes, securing a job at Goldman Sachs is widely considered harder than getting into Harvard, primarily due to significantly lower acceptance rates for entry-level roles, often below 1%, compared to Harvard's acceptance rate of around 3-4% for undergraduates. Goldman Sachs receives hundreds of thousands of applications for a limited number of positions, requiring exceptional qualifications beyond just academic smarts, emphasizing grit, determination, and real-world impact, as noted by its CEO, David Solomon.
 

Here's What The Goldman Sachs Hiring Process Is Like

What GPA do I need for Goldman Sachs?

Goldman doesn't post a firm cutoff, but successful summer analyst candidates typically land with a GPA of 3.5–3.6+, and in ultra-competitive divisions, many shooters aim for 3.7–3.8+.

What is the #1 hardest college to get into?

There isn't one single #1 hardest school, as it changes slightly by year and criteria, but Harvard University, Stanford University, MIT, and Caltech consistently rank among the top with extremely low acceptance rates (often 3-4%) and intense competition for spots, though other top global universities like Oxford and Tsinghua are also incredibly selective. Harvard is frequently cited as the hardest due to its high volume of applications and focus on global leadership potential, while Caltech is known for its extreme difficulty in STEM. 

Where do top 1% send kids to college?

The "top 1%" of students, referring to those from the highest income brackets, tend to attend elite universities like MIT, Harvard, Stanford, Princeton, and Yale that consistently rank high in national and global lists, with some even having more students from the top 1% income bracket than the bottom 60% combined, according to The New York Times data. Top-ranked institutions like MIT, Princeton, Harvard, and Stanford are frequent top contenders in various 2026 rankings from U.S. News & World Report and Times Higher Education. 

Is a 3.6 GPA bad for investment banking?

A 3.6 GPA isn't considered "bad" for investment banking but sits at the lower end of the competitive range, often seen as a minimum threshold for target schools, with many successful candidates aiming for 3.7+; however, strong networking, relevant internships, and extracurriculars highlighting finance interest can significantly compensate, especially if you're from a non-target school or have a harder major. 

What is the lowest position at Goldman Sachs?

The lowest position in Goldman Sachs's standard hierarchy, especially in investment banking, is the Analyst, an entry-level role for recent university graduates, followed by Associate, Vice President, Executive Director/Senior Vice President, and then Managing Director, with Partners at the very top. Analysts handle foundational work, but roles like Operations Analyst or Client Services Analyst are also entry-level in other departments. 

What is the Goldman Sachs 15 minute rule?

The Goldman Sachs 15-minute rule is an infamous, often debated, unspoken expectation for extreme responsiveness in communication, requiring employees to reply to emails or messages within 15 minutes, 24/7, even during personal events like family emergencies, to demonstrate client service and discipline, though many find it unrealistic or toxic. While some executives advocate for quick acknowledgments ("Will be back shortly") as a standard practice, it's seen as a hallmark of intense corporate culture, setting high expectations for client management and quick turnaround. 

What school do most investment bankers go to?

Most investment bankers come from a core group of "target" universities, with University of Pennsylvania (Wharton), Harvard, Columbia, NYU, Cornell, and Michigan often cited as top feeders, alongside other Ivies and strong business programs like UChicago, Duke, and UC Berkeley, due to strong alumni networks, prestige, and location advantages, especially for NYC firms. 

Who gets paid the most at Goldman Sachs?

The highest paying role reported at Goldman Sachs is Investment Banker at the Managing Director level with a yearly total compensation of $1,004,000. This includes base salary as well as any potential stock compensation and bonuses. The median yearly total compensation reported at Goldman Sachs is $136,625.

Is it harder to get into JP Morgan or Goldman Sachs?

It's incredibly difficult to get into either JPMorgan (JPM) or Goldman Sachs (GS), with acceptance rates often below 1%, but recent data suggests JPMorgan's internship program has been slightly harder to crack due to a higher volume of applicants relative to spots, making it about 17% more competitive in recent years, though both remain extremely selective and prestigious. The difference in difficulty can fluctuate yearly based on application numbers and hiring goals, with Goldman often seen as the pinnacle of prestige but JPM also a top-tier, highly competitive target. 

How to make $100,000 a year with no degree?

You can earn $100k a year without a degree by pursuing skilled trades (electrician, plumber), tech roles (software developer, cybersecurity), sales (tech, insurance), or specialized positions like air traffic controller or elevator mechanic, focusing on certifications, apprenticeships, on-the-job training, and building practical experience to qualify for high-paying, in-demand roles. 

Is a 3.5 GPA good for investment banking?

College GPA is often a significant factor in securing interviews at top investment banks, particularly at Bulge Bracket banks such as Goldman Sachs, JPMorgan, and Morgan Stanley. The general GPA cutoff for Bulge Bracket banks is often a minimum preferred cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher.

What GPA does JP Morgan look for?

What GPA Do You Need To Work at JPMorgan Chase? To work in the investment banking division at JPMorgan Chase, a strong academic record really makes the difference in selection. Usually, a GPA of 3.5 or higher on a 4.0 scale is considered competitive.

Can I be an investment banker if I'm bad at math?

As long as you have a secure mathematical understanding, either from school or from your degree, then you have the skills to become an investment banker.

Is a 3.7 GPA impressive?

Yes, a 3.7 GPA is very good, indicating strong academic performance (mostly A-/B+ grades) and making you competitive for many selective colleges, scholarships, and jobs, though its competitiveness for highly selective programs (like Ivy League or top grad schools) depends on your major, school, and overall profile. It often qualifies for honors like magna cum laude and is well above the national average. 

Where do billionaire kids go to school?

Billionaires send their children to elite private schools, both day and boarding, like Choate Rosemary Hall, Phillips Academy Andover, and The Lawrenceville School, often referred to as "Ivy League pipelines," as well as prestigious international schools like Institut Le Rosey in Switzerland, for strong academics and connections, with some also choosing top public schools for better college admission odds. Top universities like Harvard, Stanford, and Yale remain popular choices for higher education.
 

What is the easiest ivy to get into?

While all Ivy League schools are highly selective, Cornell University is generally considered the "easiest" to get into due to having the highest acceptance rate (around 8-9%), partly because it's the largest Ivy with diverse colleges, like the less competitive Agriculture and Life Sciences, though its engineering programs are tough. Dartmouth College and Brown University often follow as the next most accessible Ivies, while Harvard, Yale, Princeton, and Columbia are typically the most difficult, with lower acceptance rates. 

Which college is in rank 1 in Canada?

The University of Toronto remains the highest-ranked Canadian institution, consistently recognised for its research impact and academic excellence.

What college is 100% acceptance rate?

Yes, many colleges have a 100% acceptance rate, often through open admissions policies, meaning they accept all applicants who meet basic requirements, including many community colleges, specialized career schools, and some online or regional universities like Broward College, Empire State University (SUNY), University of Maryland Global Campus, and Utah Valley University, though availability and specific programs vary. These institutions guarantee admission for qualified applicants, focusing on accessibility, with some examples including Delta State University, Montana State University Billings, and the Academy of Art University. 

What is the #1 party school?

For 2026, the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB) is widely ranked as the #1 party school by sources like Niche and Business Insider, followed by schools like Florida State University and Tulane University, based on student surveys about campus party culture, access to bars, and Greek life.
 

Is it harder to get into Vanderbilt or Duke?

While both are extremely selective, Duke is generally considered slightly harder to get into than Vanderbilt, primarily due to its lower acceptance rates, with Duke often hovering around 6% compared to Vanderbilt's 9-10%, though both have become significantly more competitive recently, with Vandy's rates also dropping into the low single digits. The choice often comes down to specific strengths: Duke emphasizes leadership and research in the Research Triangle, while Vanderbilt offers strong programs, especially in Nashville, with varied academic focuses, making the "harder" factor dependent on your profile.