Trojan Finance Academy

The Trojan Finance Academy (TFA) seeks to immerse USC’s highest-performing sophomores into financial services and prepare them to recruit for junior year investment banking internships. TFA Kilmer and Coleman Scholars have a strong track record of securing roles across mergers and acquisitions, restructuring, and client-facing industry or coverage groups within leading investment banks. Through TFA, scholars gain the skills, knowledge, and connections necessary to thrive in the highly competitive investment banking recruitment process. While scholars are not required to have any experience in the financial services industry to apply, they should demonstrate a passion for finance. Kilmer and Coleman Scholars are admitted during the fall semester of their sophomore year and benefit from a robust series of professional development opportunities, including: 

• Targeted curriculum training for behavioral and technical interviews, including partnerships with Training the Street and Wall Street Prep

• Peer mentorship from upperclassmen who have successfully navigated the recruiting process

• Participation in investment banking treks to Los Angeles, New York, and/or San Francisco

• Networking at alumni mixers with professionals across the financial services industry

• Inclusion in curated resume books shared with employers • Access to exclusive employer info sessions and industry events

Who can apply?

Sophomores in their fall semester, assuming a standard four-year course of study at USC, who are either Marshall or Leventhal undergraduate majors or Marshall Business Finance minors.

What makes a competitive applicant?

Admission to the TFA is based on the student’s application, a cumulative GPA of at least 3.70, required participation in a finance student organization, demonstrated technical skills, and behavioral competencies, all of which will be evaluated during the application and interview process. The 2024-2025 TFA cohort’s cumulative GPA average is 3.9.

What resources does the Hub provide for students to prepare for TFA applications?

The Hub offers several resources to support students applying to TFA. Students are encouraged to check Handshake to register for TFA information sessions and to schedule career advising appointments with finance peer career advisors for help improving resumes and interview skills. They can also request access to Wall Street Prep to strengthen their technical knowledge.

When are applications due?

Applications for the TFA program will open in September and interviews will occur in September/October timeframe.

When are admission decisions released?

Decisions will be released in October.

• First-year analysts typically earn a base salary of $100,000 to $125,000, with total compensation – including performance-based bonuses – ranging from $160,000 to $250,000.
  
• Those who continue in investment banking frequently transition from analyst to associate.
  
• Alumni who transition out of investment banking after two to three years typically go on to buy-side roles and corporate development.