Last Semester Need Advice.

I am in a predicament, I am torn between a few different options for my last semester and could really use some input from those wiser than I. Currently, I go to a state non-target school majoring in economics and still have no finance background or summer internship. I have one more semester where I hoped to study abroad to fulfill my language requirement and have a bit of fun.

My problem is that If I come out this summer with no Internship and go abroad I will not have access to recruiting and will have a more difficult time networking. Also, the program runs to late January. This becomes a problem because I wanted to take my GMAT and get an MSF the following summer in which case applications are due in march and a month is probably not enough time to study.

So my options are: (1) Stay at my current school for the fall semester and add a minor in business, have access to recruiting and graduate in December which should leave enough time for studying for the GMAT.

(2) Come home after taking summer courses, study for the CFA level 1, network for a winter/spring internship and study like mad to ace the GMAT. Then if I don't have a full-time offer, enroll for the MSF.

(3) Study abroad and have a blast but miss out on recruiting & strong networking (meetings). Plus risk cramming for the GMAT, getting a low score and be left without a full-time offer and have to wait a full year to apply for the MSF program.

All have obvious pros and cons and I would appreciate everyone's input. Thanks.

4 Comments
 

It looks like you've already made up your mind RE: study abroad. Though I suggest you go ahead and take the time to get some international experience, especially if it will bring your language(s) up to a native level. I spoke to my interviewers and those proficiencies were the one thing that consistently stood out. Also, your school probably provides access to career services to alumni their first year out.

I hate to bust your bubble, but you won't ace the GMAT and a 670 is a decent enough score for all but the most prestigious post-undergrad programs. And when you open that envelope and don't see "800," you will wish you had taken full advantage of school before plunging into the working world.

"Whats more busted, your dot-com or your girlfriend's face?"
 
Best Response
13ss89It looks like you've already made up your mind RE: study abroad. Though I suggest you go ahead and take the time to get some international experience, especially if it will bring your language(s) up to a native level. I spoke to my interviewers and those proficiencies were the one thing that consistently stood out. Also, your school probably provides access to career services to alumni their first year out.

I hate to bust your bubble, but you won't ace the GMAT and a 670 is a decent enough score for all but the most prestigious post-undergrad programs. And when you open that envelope and don't see "800," you will wish you had taken full advantage of school before plunging into the working world.

I appreciate your post but have not made up my mind and actually think all three are decent ideas, with getting a minor in business being least helpful I think. I did not literally mean 800 for gmat but actually around the 675-700 mark you mentioned. I also figure if I cannot study abroad I will have about 2 weeks of summer vacation to go abroad.

 

Magnam ipsa unde est consequatur ipsam voluptates. Qui et sit quo dignissimos sit consequatur. Voluptas consequatur quos ratione. Facere quidem ut adipisci asperiores.

Quam voluptatem saepe consequuntur esse hic tempore natus. Esse ut doloremque dignissimos animi similique corporis. Maiores quos autem ut a alias.

Esse repudiandae provident sint quaerat. Dolores nihil distinctio et dolorem est ut. Dolores aut in officiis deserunt rerum rerum natus suscipit.

Ut quisquam laboriosam qui soluta ipsa. Reprehenderit rerum exercitationem facere eum modi repellat dolorum. Quia et quaerat est tempore hic ab quas voluptatem. Laboriosam quo voluptas iste quia hic quos consequuntur. Enim velit consequuntur voluptas sunt suscipit velit aut. Neque quia eveniet voluptates est.

Career Advancement Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.8%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.2%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.7%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 01 98.8%
  • Evercore 01 98.2%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.6%
  • Banco Santander 01 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Evercore No 98.8%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.2%
  • JPMorgan No 97.7%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (14) $434
  • Associates (43) $259
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (13) $156
  • 1st Year Analyst (75) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (67) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
3
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
4
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
5
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
6
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
7
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
8
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
9
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
10
bolo up's picture
bolo up
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”