Summer Analyst

Initial Application
I submitted my application with my resume and cover letter, then waited for a couple of weeks until I received a confirmation email. About two weeks later, I was invited to complete an online assessment. I felt good going in, knowing that this would be my chance to stand out from other applicants.

Online Assessment
The online assessment was challenging. It included numerical reasoning, logic, and situational judgment tests to gauge my critical thinking skills. Each section was timed, so I had to move quickly and stay focused. I felt confident afterward, and about a week later, I got an email saying I’d passed this stage. They said they’d reach out soon for the next step.

First-Round Phone Interview
My first phone interview was with a recruiter and lasted about 30 minutes. We covered my resume and background, and they asked a lot of behavioral questions like, “Tell me about a time when you overcame a challenge.” They also wanted to know why I was interested in Morgan Stanley and what drew me to finance. I thought I did well, and a few days later, they confirmed that I’d made it to the next round.

Second-Round Technical Interview
The second interview was more intense, with a member of the investment banking team. It focused heavily on technical questions—valuation methods, DCF analysis, and other finance concepts I’d prepared for. They also threw in some situational questions, like how I’d manage multiple high-priority tasks with tight deadlines. I felt okay about it, though one DCF question tripped me up a bit. Two days later, I got an email saying they wouldn’t be moving me to the final round.