sophomore programs worth it?
IB
Tags:
(Chimp, 5
Points)
on 8/16/08 at 1:02pm
Hi, I'm going to be a sophomore this year and I'm considering applying for sophomore summer programs. I'm just not sure it's worth it though, since I've heard you can be hired for junior SA jobs without related experience. I go to an ivy, not a huge target or anything, and I have a good gpa.
Assuming I can keep up a high gpa, will having the sophomore program experience help a lot or will they just be harder on me in the interview process for junior summer positions?





Will having a BB sophomore
Will having a BB sophomore program experience be helpful? Seriously? Is this a serious question?
Short answer: Yes. Incredibly helpful.
Interview Guides
WSO Resume Review
haha sorry...i just tend to
haha sorry...i just tend to freeze up and freak out during interviews and the added pressure of technical questions for junior sa spots is a little intimidating. thanks though
Lol no problem. Think of it
Lol no problem.
Think of it this way if you somehow get an Sophomore BB SA offer and perform well you will get an offer for your Junior Year, and you can avoid interviewing with other banks.
That is what I did. PM me if you have any questions.
Interview Guides
WSO Resume Review
Yes it's very helpful. Plus
Yes it's very helpful. Plus not having to interview junior year is a pretty awesome thing
Yes. If you have a sophomore
Yes. If you have a sophomore program on your resume at a BB or very good boutique, you will likely have a free shot at interviews even if your GPA crashed to 3.1.
Additionally, you "can" be
Additionally, you "can" be hired without related experience. This also implies that you also could NOT be hired without related experience. In this kind of hiring environment, play your cards safe when it comes to qualifications. Obviously it tends to differ a bit by school, but candidates with work experience and lower GPA's (even if it's just a random boutique or hedge fund) often have a leg up on getting interview slots over people with better GPA's, unless the GPA in question is an exceptional one (3.8+). Ever little difference matters when there are ~800 resume drops and 30 interview slots.
What type...
What type of firms are you targeting for your Sophomore internship search?
I was in the placed desk
I was in the placed desk program at GS as a sophomore and I can say with confidence that it was THE greatest learning experience I have ever had in my life. I do not think this can be said for the rotational programs (I think a lot of time gets wasted on networking and trying to get offers, both of which are far less important for sophomores), but any experience is better than none. I had a wonderful time and cannot convey the value of the knowledge I gained.
placed desk program?
placed desk program?
Pretty self explanatory: You
Pretty self explanatory: You are placed on a desk from the start of the summer and sit with that desk for the full summer. Consequently, you work many more hours and have much more responsibility and in my opinion learn much more.
how did you get placed on a
how did you get placed on a desk after sophomore?
I read on the GS website that they recruit a few sophomores from their Spring Break program - is that how you got placed?
No. I was interviewing with
No. I was interviewing with another division for a different SA role and was then asked to interview with one of the securities division's desks.
"sophomore programs worth
"sophomore programs worth it?"
Not if it means they can figure out they don't like you earlier.
"Categorical Imperative: If I cannot look at my mother or my wife in the eyes and explain it, I won't do it" - Some British MD.