Finance Career Accelerator

Applications for the 2026/27 cohort are CLOSED. Deadline was Friday, March 13, at 11:59pm.

The recruitment and application process for the 2027/28 cohort will take place November 2026 to March 2027 (informational sessions and the application deadline will be announced in fall 2026).

What is the Finance Career Accelerator?

The Finance Career Accelerator (FCA) is a selective program that is designed to prepare students for careers in investment banking, private equity, M&A advisory, venture capital, asset management and related areas of finance.  Due to the early recruitment timeline and the importance and competitiveness of the junior year internship in these career fields, the FCA is necessarily selective, restricted by class year, and focused on preparing students to compete in the internship interviews that will take place in the winter/spring of their sophomore year.

The accelerator includes the following core features:

  • Financial Modeling and Valuation Training:  Facilitated through Wall Street Prep, students will gain practical, real-world training in financial modeling and valuation in preparation for careers in investment banking, private equity, corporate finance, and related fields. The curriculum includes intensive instruction on accounting fundamentals, three-statement modeling, discounted cash flow (DCF) analysis, merger and LBO (leveraged buyout) modeling, comparable company analysis, and Excel best practices. The program is designed to supplement the student’s Grinnell education as well as bridge the gap between academic theory and the technical skills employers expect on day one.
  • Finance Trek: During fall break of participants sophomore year, FCA students will travel to a major U.S. city to meet with alumni and recruiters at the major banks and related financial services firms (e.g., New York, Boston).  This multi-day trek may include a combination of the following: employer visits, recruiting talks, technical interview prep, alumni networking receptions. Participants will also have their resume included in a resume book that is distributed to employers in advance of the trek.
  • Alumni Mentor: As part of the FCA, students will be paired with an alumni mentor who presently works in the financial services industry (private equity, investment banking, wealth management, venture capital, etc.).  This individual can serve as a guide and resource for students as they prepare for the internship and interview process, expand their network, and develop the foundational understanding and insights as they prepare for a career in finance.
  • Career Coaching: FCA students will also receive individual and group coaching from the Business & Finance Career Community. 

Who is eligible?

  • Applicants must:
    • be a member of the Class of 2029;
    • have a minimum GPA of 3.5 (based on first-semester grades);
    • possess demonstrated interest in a career in finance (prior work experiences or internships, personal investments, relevant volunteer experiences, etc.).

How do I apply?

  • Students may submit their application (see application link at the bottom of this page) until Friday, March 13, at 11:59pm.
  • Students may download the Finance Career Accelerator App Guide to prepare their application materials.
  • Interested applicants are welcomed and encouraged to meet with members of the CLS advising team to prepare and review their application materials.
  • Application will include:
    • An application form, including demographic information and responses to short essay questions;
    • A completed, professional resume;
Finance Career Accelerator App GuideDownload


How will students be selected?

  • Select students will interview with a panel of three individuals from Grinnell’s Office of Investments and Business Office who have expertise in the fields of finance/investments.
  • Applicants will be scored according to a rubric with clearly established criteria based on each student’s application materials and interview.
  • Preference will be given to applicants who have secured a finance-related internship for the upcoming summer.

What are the expectations of those selected?

  • Students accepted into the Finance Career Accelerator will be expected to participate in all aspects of the program.  Those failing to do so may be removed from the cohort.
  • Students will be expected to have or acquire business attire.  Students may use the CLS’s Career Clothing Closet as well as the Professional Attire Grant (need-based) for assistance.
  • Students are expected to maintain regular communication with the FCA staff coordinator.

How many students will be selected for the FCA cohort?

                12–14

Application Deadline: Friday, March 13, at 11:59pm.