Recruitment
Join the analyst team
YUSIF recruits undergraduate students from across York University through multiple application cycles each academic year. Analysts join one of six sector teams, conduct fundamental equity research, and contribute to the management of approximately $371,000 in capital. Prior finance experience is not required.
Why YUSIF
The analyst experience
YUSIF combines applied investment research, structured training, and mentorship within a student-managed investment fund.
Investment research
Research companies and industries, build financial models, and prepare investment recommendations for discussion with the full team.
Portfolio experience
Contribute to the management of approximately $371,000 in assets and help monitor existing holdings after an investment is made.
Training and mentorship
Develop through weekly meetings, technical workshops, pitch feedback, industry sessions, and guidance from senior members, alumni, and the Fund advisor.
Recruitment calendar
Recruitment cycles
YUSIF recruits through separate application cycles during the academic year. Exact dates, eligibility requirements, and available positions are announced when each cycle opens.
September
Upper-year fall cycle
Open to second- and third-year undergraduate students.
October
First-year fall cycle
Reserved for first-year undergraduate students.
January
Winter cycle
Eligibility and available positions are announced when applications open.
The process
How recruitment works
The recruitment process consists of a written application, an interview, and a final decision.
Before you apply
Club Week and information sessions provide opportunities to learn more about the Fund and speak with current members. Participation is not considered in the selection process.
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Written application
Applicants submit a resume and a stock pitch, typically around three pages. Unless otherwise stated for a particular cycle, the pitch should cover a publicly traded company with a market capitalization of approximately $5 billion to $50 billion. Applications are assessed on the quality of the research, reasoning, valuation, and written communication. Selected applicants are invited to interview.
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Interview
Selected candidates attend an approximately 30-minute, in-person interview on campus. The interview includes behavioural and technical questions, together with a discussion of the submitted stock pitch. Candidates should be prepared to explain their thesis, valuation assumptions, principal risks, and research process.
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Decision and onboarding
Successful applicants are assigned to a sector team and begin the Fund's training and research program.
The application
Stock pitch requirements
The stock pitch is a concise investment recommendation, typically around three pages. It should explain what the company does, why the stock may be mispriced, how you value it, and what could invalidate your thesis. Clear reasoning and appropriate evidence matter more than length or model complexity.
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Recommendation and thesis
State your recommendation and central thesis at the outset. The thesis should be specific, testable, and clear enough to summarize in a few sentences.
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Source of mispricing
Explain where your view differs from prevailing market expectations, why that difference exists, and what may cause it to narrow over time.
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Business and industry
Demonstrate how the company generates revenue and cash flow, where it competes, and which factors support or threaten its economics. Include the information most relevant to the investment case.
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Valuation
Use an appropriate valuation framework to connect the thesis to expected return. Clearly identify the assumptions that have the greatest effect on your conclusion.
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Risks and monitoring
Describe the developments that would weaken or invalidate the thesis. Explain which operating, financial, or industry indicators you would monitor.
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Research and sources
Prioritize company filings, earnings materials, transcripts, and other primary sources. Clearly distinguish reported information from your own estimates and conclusions.
Evaluation
Submissions are assessed on the quality, independence, and clarity of the underlying reasoning. Length and model complexity are not substitutes for a well-supported investment case.
What strengthens a pitch
- A clear recommendation and differentiated thesis
- A sound understanding of the business and industry
- Valuation tied to transparent assumptions
- A balanced assessment of downside risk
- Concise and purposeful writing
- Effective use of primary sources
What weakens a pitch
- A familiar company without an independent view
- A thesis that largely restates market consensus
- Risks listed without meaningful analysis
- A target price without supporting reasoning
- Detail that does not advance the thesis
- Reliance primarily on secondary commentary
Selection
What we look for
YUSIF looks for candidates who are curious about businesses and markets, can reason from evidence, communicate clearly, and improve in response to feedback. Formal finance experience is less important than preparation, judgment, and consistency.
Curiosity
An interest in understanding how businesses operate and how markets value them.
Independent thinking
The ability to form a view from evidence and explain why it differs from prevailing expectations.
Judgment
A willingness to consider contrary evidence, acknowledge uncertainty, and revise a conclusion.
Reliability and coachability
Consistent preparation, ownership of work, and the ability to apply feedback.
Outcomes
Where our analysts go
YUSIF alumni have pursued roles across investment banking, private capital, public markets, institutional investing, and other areas of finance. The analyst role develops experience in company research, valuation, written communication, and presentation.
Preparation
Resources to get you started
The resource library covers financial statements, valuation, stock-pitch development, technical interviews, and behavioural preparation. It is intended as a starting point for independent preparation.
Questions
Frequently asked
Eligibility
What year do I need to be in?
YUSIF runs separate fall recruitment cycles for upper-year and first-year students. The September cycle is open to second- and third-year students, while the October cycle is reserved for first-year students. Eligibility for the winter cycle is announced with each application.
I have no finance background. Can I still apply?
Yes. Formal finance experience is not required. Applicants should nevertheless understand basic financial statements and valuation well enough to prepare and explain their pitch.
Do I have to be a Schulich student to apply?
No. Recruitment is open to undergraduate students across York University. Applicants are evaluated on the same criteria regardless of faculty.
The role
What does an analyst do?
Analysts work within a sector team to research companies and industries, build financial models, prepare investment recommendations, and monitor existing holdings. Selected recommendations are presented to the full team for discussion before the portfolio managers make a final decision.
Which sectors can I join?
YUSIF has six sector teams: Consumers, Technology, Industrials, Generalist, Healthcare, and Financials. Team assignments consider analyst interests, prior exposure, and the staffing needs of the Fund. Sector expertise is not required before joining.
What technical skills do I need?
Advanced modelling experience is not required. You should be able to connect business analysis to a valuation and explain the assumptions that drive your conclusion.
Applying
What does the application include?
The application typically includes a resume and a stock pitch of approximately three pages. Specific requirements are published at the start of each recruitment cycle. Selected applicants are invited to an in-person interview.
What is a stock pitch, and which company should I choose?
A stock pitch is a concise investment recommendation covering the business, thesis, source of mispricing, valuation, and principal risks. The application typically specifies a market-capitalization range of approximately $5 billion to $50 billion. Choose a company with sufficient public information to support independent research and an investment view you can defend in discussion.
How long do I have to apply?
Application windows are usually open for approximately one week. Exact dates and requirements are announced at the start of each cycle.
What is the interview like?
Interviews are held on campus and typically last approximately 30 minutes. Candidates answer behavioural and technical questions and discuss their submitted stock pitch with a panel of YUSIF members. Be prepared to explain the recommendation, valuation assumptions, downside risks, and sources used in the analysis.
Standing out and timing
How do I stand out?
Strong applications are clear, specific, and well researched. They present an independent view, use primary sources, explain valuation assumptions, and address downside risks fairly.
When do applications open?
Recruitment generally opens in September for second- and third-year students, in October for first-year students, and again during the winter. Exact dates and eligibility requirements are announced through YUSIF's Instagram and LinkedIn accounts.
Can I apply again if I am not selected?
Yes. A previous application does not disadvantage a candidate. Applicants are welcome to reapply with stronger research, a revised pitch, and additional preparation.
I missed the current cycle. What should I do?
Use the time before the next cycle to review the recruitment resources, follow companies and industries that interest you, practise financial analysis, and develop a stock pitch. The next application window will be announced through YUSIF's social channels.
Apply
Recruitment announcements
Recruitment is not conducted on a rolling basis. Application links, eligibility requirements, and deadlines are announced through Instagram and LinkedIn at the start of each cycle. Questions about eligibility or the recruitment process may be directed to [email protected].