The Private Equity Workshop (PEW), directed by David Haeberle is a sister program to the Investment Banking Workshop (IBW). The PEW seeks to position Kelley’s highest-performing students in the financial services industry, primarily on the buy-side. Students will be given individualized support from upperclassmen, instructors, and alumni to effectively learn material and navigate recruitment. The PEW student engagements include Master Class Fridays, alumni seminars, case competitions, field trips to Chicago, New York, and San Francisco, alumni mentorship programs and more.
Workshop Application and Admission
At the beginning of the Spring semester, first-year students can begin registering for access to an independent self-guided ‘Introduction to Corporate Finance’ Canvas course. This course will be available throughout the Spring semester and Summer break.
Prior to the Fall semester, students should register to sit for a placement exam, the results of which determine eligibility for enrollment in BUS-F 210: Capital Markets & Banking/Private Equity or BUS-F 210 Investment Banking/Private Equity. The BUS-F 210 placement exam is currently scheduled for the Friday before Fall 2025 classes begin – August 22, 2025. Students will be required to submit their resume when they register for the placement exam. Exam registration and resume submission opens June 1, 2025, and closes August 10, 2025.
Students sitting for the placement exam must also have the following reflected on the academic record prior to the placement exam:
- Admitted Kelley School of Business student
- 24 completed credit hours
- 3.40 cumulative GPA at start of Fall semester
- Completion of BUS-A 100
- BUS-F 100 highly recommended but not required
Only second-year students admitted to BUS-F 210: Investment Banking in the fall semester are eligible to apply to the Private Equity Workshop.
The requirements for admission to BUS-F 210 are noted under the “Who can apply?” accordion above.
Additionally, well-rounded applicants would have:
- Academic Record: Strong freshman year grades, especially in relevant subjects such as math, accounting, and business-related courses. As of August, applicants are expected to have a GPA of at least 3.70; if an applicant’s cumulative GPA is under 3.70, they may petition for an exception when applying.
- Extracurricular Involvement: Active participation in extracurricular activities, especially those related to business involvements or leadership roles.
- Application Essays: A well-crafted personal statement that demonstrates the applicant’s passion for investing and their fit for the PEW program.
- Work Experience: Relevant work experience or internships in business or related fields.
- Interview Performance: Strong performance on the behavioral, technical, and markets-based admittance interviews.
- Additional soft skills will be evaluated during the application period and an interview that will take place at the end of F210.
At the beginning of the Spring semester, first-year students can begin registering for access to an independent self-guided ‘Introduction to Corporate Finance’ Canvas course. This course will be available throughout the Spring semester and Summer break.
Prior to the Fall semester, students should register to sit for a placement exam, the results of which determine eligibility for enrollment in BUS-F 210: Capital Markets & Banking/Private Equity or BUS-F 210 Investment Banking/Private Equity. The BUS-F 210 placement exam is currently scheduled for the Friday before Fall 2025 classes begin – August 22, 2025. Students will be required to submit their resume when they register for the placement exam. Exam registration and resume submission opens June 1, 2025, and closes August 10, 2025.
Students sitting for the placement exam must also have the following reflected on the academic record prior to the placement exam:
- Admitted Kelley School of Business student
- 24 completed credit hours
- 3.40 cumulative GPA at start of Fall semester
- Completion of BUS-A 100
- BUS-F 100 highly recommended but not required
Only second-year students admitted to BUS-F 210: Investment Banking in the fall semester are eligible to apply to the Private Equity Workshop.
Decisions are communicated to applicants following admissions interviews, generally in mid- October, before on-campus recruiting activities begin.
The PEW and IBW are both a part of the broader Investment Banking Network, encompassing over 1,600+ current students and Wallstreet alumni. The PEW and IBW will primarily focus on buy-side and sell-side training, respectively.
If you are not in the PEW but have a question, interview, or anything else relating to the buy-side, please feel free to contact any student or professor in the PEW. Students and professors in the program are happy and eager to help anyone interested in breaking into the buy-side industry.
Highly Recommended Course
At the beginning of the Spring semester, first-year students can begin registering for access to an independent self-guided ‘Introduction to Corporate Finance’ Canvas course. This course will be available throughout the Spring semester and Summer break.
Required Pre-Placement Exam Course/Content
The BUS-F 210 placement exam is currently scheduled for the Friday before Fall 2025 classes begin – August 22, 2025. Students will be required to submit their resume when they register for the placement exam. Exam registration and resume submission opens June 1, 2025, and closes August 10, 2025.
Students sitting for the placement exam must also have the following reflected on the academic record prior to the placement exam:
- Admitted Kelley School of Business student
- 24 completed credit hours
- 3.4 cumulative GPA at start of Fall semester
- Completion of BUS-A 100
- BUS-F 100 highly recommended but not required
Only second-year students admitted to BUS-F 210: Investment Banking in the fall semester are eligible to apply to the Private Equity Workshop.
Required Pre-Workshop Courses
- BUS-F 210: Investment Banking & Capital Markets (1.5 credits); fall of second year
- BY INVITATION ONLY – see “Who can apply?” accordion for information on requirements
Workshop Courses
- BUS-F 255: Private Equity Workshop I (1.5 credits); spring of second year
- BUS-F 355: Private Equity Workshop II (1.5 credits); fall of third year
Workshop Time Commitment
While students are not expected to have any experience in the financial services industry, they should demonstrate a passion for accounting, finance, and the financial markets. The Private Equity Workshop, in collaboration with the Investment Banking Workshop and broader Investment Banking Network, will assist students when seeking positions within private equity, private credit, growth equity, venture capital, investment banking, and more. Once admitted to the workshop, students should prioritize workshop activities, including helping their peers inside and outside the workshop. While we expect students to apply to multiple Kelley workshops, students may only be a part of one workshop in Kelley. To be in good standing in the workshop, a member must commit to attending any required meetings and networking sessions with alumni and employers within the field.
