Investment Management Academy

Admission

Admission into the Illinois Investment Management Academy is open only to freshmen in the Finance Academy. Recruitment is conducted in both the fall and spring semesters of each academic year. Invite-only interviews for the Spring 2026 semester will begin in March. If accepted, students will complete onboarding materials during the Summer of 2026 with full participation in the program beginning in Fall 2026.

The Spring 2026 recruitment process includes the IMA Bootcamp, coffee chats, a technical test, and two rounds of invite-only interviews.

Please complete the attached Interest and Bootcamp Sign-Up Form. Submission of this form is required to be considered for the Investment Management Academy recruitment process.

Form link: https://forms.gle/TCssTXQ3fY7X4ZsJ9

Techincal Test

Our Spring 2026 Technical Test will take place on March 31st at 6:00 PM in Wymer 1100.

In order to take the entrance exam, please fill out this form: https://forms.gle/PgHWEUDm9hfMtoR29

Candidate Expectations

  • Highly motivated individuals who demonstrate a drive for both investing and professional development
  • Ability to manage conflicting priorities, deadline-based tasks, and simultaneous projects
  • Possesses (or has aptitude for) technical financial knowledge and technology
  • Minimum GPA of 3.6

IMA Bootcamps:

Dress Code: Casual

The IMA Bootcamp will introduce students to the equity research, financial modeling, and effective presentation processes required for success in the Investment Management Academy. The Bootcamp should be used as a resource to prepare for the technical aspect of the application and subsequent interviews, if applicable. Please note that you are only required to attend one of the three bootcamps, as they will each cover the same material.

IMA Bootcamp Dates:

Session 1: March 5th, 3:30PM

Session 2: March 12th, 3:30PM

Session 3: March 26th, 3:30PM

Bootcamps are located in the Margolis Market Information Lab

Directors Interviews

Note: All dates are tentative to change; times / locations TBD

First Round Interviews: 1st & 2nd Week of April (Business Professional)

Second Round Interviews: 2nd & 3rd Week of April (Business Professional)

Offers: Final decisions and offers will be sent out by end of April.

For further questions, please reach out to Mukund Kasisomayajula (mukundk2@illinois.edu) or Gary Mei (km72@illinois.edu).