Admission
Admission into the Illinois Investment Management Academy is open to freshmen and sophomores in the Gies College of Business. Recruitment is conducted in both the fall and spring semesters of each academic year. Invite-only interviews for the Fall 2026 semester will begin in November. If accepted, students will complete onboarding materials during the Winter of 2026 with full participation in the program beginning in Spring 2027.
The Fall 2026 recruitment process includes an Info Night, IMA Bootcamp, coffee chats, a technical test, and two rounds of invite-only interviews.
Info Night will take place on October 20th from 6:00-7:30pm at the Deloitte Auditorium. Dress Code is Business Professional. It will include a presentation from the Executive Board, as well as time for networking at the very end. Anyone is welcome to attend!
Please complete the attached Interest form below. Submission of this form is required to be considered for the Investment Management Academy recruitment process.
Form link: https://forms.gle/bUHhD5xmMjYhjSu59
Techincal Test
Our Fall 2026 Technical Test information will be on November 3rd from 6:00-7:30pm
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. A sign-up form to attend the bootcamps will be provided at Info Night.
IMA Bootcamp Dates:
Session 1: October 30th (time TBD)
Session 2: November 1st (time TBD)
Session 3: November 2nd (time TBD)
Bootcamps are located in the Margolis Market Information Lab
Directors Interviews
Note: All dates are tentative to change; times / locations TBD
First Round Interviews: First and Second Week of November (Business Professional)
Second Round Interviews: Second and Third Week of November (Business Professional)
Offers: Final decisions and offers will be sent out by end of November.
For further questions, please reach out to Mukund Kasisomayajula (mukundk2@illinois.edu) or Gary Mei (km72@illinois.edu).