You may have been wondering...

When was HIA founded?

1993.

Why would I want to take on even more learning responsibilities?

HIA will help you learn the principles of finance that you cannot otherwise learn in the classroom at Harvard. Our comp process is designed to be enjoyable and fulfilling, not stressful or exclusionary.

What are the biggest events throughout the year?

We take a trip to Wall Street in the Spring. Any member of HIA is welcome to come. We also schedule private dinners with recruiting teams from investment banks at various dates during the year.

How much do I need to know about finance in order to join?

None whatsoever! Anyone, regardless of previous experience or knowledge of finance, is welcome.

What is the comp process like? What happens once I've completed it?

The comp process is simple and has basic requirements:

  • Attendance at our weekly meetings (educational panels)
  • Attendance at no fewer than two speaker events
  • A stock pitch prepared by mixed teams of compers and associates
  • One of the following:
    • Synopsis of a speaker event
    • An overview or a specific industry within finance

Which topics are covered at the meetings?

Our weekly meetings will cover, among others:

  • Investment Banking
  • Private Equity
  • Hedge Funds
  • Venture Capital
  • Valuation techniques
  • Real Estate Finance
  • Market Efficiency and Behavioral Finance.

To view our meeting schedule, visit our Events page.

What makes HIA different from other investment clubs?

HIA is one of the oldest investment clubs on campus, providing it with a wealth of resources and alumni that are here to help you learn. It's our mission to provide a hands-on education for undergrads on investing and the markets, through events like the Stock Pitch Competition, mentor programs, and trips to New York.

Do I need to have prior experience in finance to join?

Not at all! Many of our members join without any experience and feel that HIA is a great way to learn about investing and the markets. For more experienced members, we offer more advanced workshops and investment opportunities.

How often do you have comps?

We have a fall comp that begins in September and a spring comp that begins in February. If you miss a comp deadline, but would still like to join, please email HIA Secretary Vas Giahos at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

What does comping HIA consist of?

Our comp process is fairly relaxed - we want you to enjoy and learn from HIA, not feel like it's another class with endless requirements. We ask that you attend the weekly meeting/presentation (on Tuesday evenings) in the Lamont Forum Room and participate in the end of the semester stock pitch competition. The stock pitch competition is judged by recruiters and is a great way to practice what you have learned all semester.

Who can attend the trip to New York?

Any member that has completed the comp can attend the trip. However, priority is given to Juniors, due to the nature of the internship process.

What kind of recruiting events does HIA offer?

HIA hosts all of the large financial and consulting institutions for recruiting events. These events are much more suitable to actually meeting recruiters and having an impact, since they are for HIA members only. We will also be holding panels and discussions on others topics, such as the HBS 2+2 program, PhD and MBA programs, and alternative careers in finance. To find out more about upcoming events, take a look at our Event listings.