Sternwolf, there is no easy or less expensive way to get into the Corp. Fin. field in reputable firms. It's just a competitive field. A generalized profile of an associate there is a someone with a BS degree and a MBA (both from Ivy League level of schools), say BS from UVA and an MBA from Wharton. Again, that's very generalized.
It's doesn't mean people in corp. fin. are smart though. A good part of that biz is about relationship building with clients and always making yourelf repsentable. There are more smart guys in the buyside making investment decision (like in various funds). They really use their brain to find ways to keep their alpha high.
Alphaseeker, CFA