Bulge Bracket IB Internship HELP!

Princeton University Sophomore politics major. 

Campus recruiting is so complicated. Can someone break it down for me step by step on how to get an internship i.e. recruiting windows, what summers each internship corresponds to for sophomore, juniors etc. There's so much information and fog. 

I just want to gain valuation and m/a experience and be paid with money and knowledge. 

Resume:

U.S. Marine 2016-2020

Acquired 6 rental properties

GPA is 3.4 ish.

Worked at business broker startups (mainly sourcing, no modeling). 

8 Comments
 

Ask ChatGPT and instruct it to use recent threads from WSO. Thank you for you service Mr. Princeton -- but hopefully you know how to do something independently without being handheld by your CO?

Aslo do whatever you can to get that GPA 3.5+ this semester

Just say no to consulting
 

Definitely not handheld by CO (I wish). GPA will probably never be 3.5, freshman year (2021 / covid), i flunked a class, mother had a heart attack and i had to come home short notice during finals week, school said the add/drop period for classes had long passed and im stuck with finishing the course regardless if i couldn't attend class etc. 

 
Most Helpful

I understand, I was just messing with you.

I come from a long line of military folks, but I am glad I was dissuaded to enlist by my dad and his friends after their dilemma with their service post Iraq and Afghanistan tours.

For finance apps, timelines are quite advanced. For IB, apps open in spring of 2025 for summer 2026 (junior year internship). So you have a month or two to network and prepare. However, your GPA is quite low for BBs. I'd suggest upping your GPA as much as you can and casting a wide net. People also extend graduation so they can be well-prepared and apply a year later than be rejected early.

The best way to learn about processes is just research and networking. Like others have pointed out, first google stuff, read through WSO threads. Once you have a baseline knowledge, start networking with people asking for advice. I think a few banks have veteran programs or at least recognize them as diversity - so it can be easier to enter there. You gotta find these yourself.

Also cast a wide net outside of IB as well. Research all different fields of finance. Find out what you're interested in. And don't focus too much on prestige. First job out of college isn't the end of life. Just send out cold emails to alums and other veterans in the industry asking for advice. People are a lot more open to talk.

While prepping for bigger firms, also reach out to local banks/HFs/AM firms, etc. and indicate your interest for internship.

Lastly, everything in life teaches you something. Your service, despite how you feel about it now, was necessary to make you you. You learned who you are and what you want and that's something you can't put a price on. Now, just realign and be proactive. There's no more orders, you have to take leadership and agency of your own outcomes.

 

Autem doloremque molestias perspiciatis est perspiciatis. Ipsum possimus a sapiente sit.

Voluptates veritatis voluptatem eum quis tenetur harum quia qui. Eum et voluptas officiis recusandae eum. Et hic dolor ut veritatis fuga nisi.

Consequatur dicta ab debitis dolor. Cupiditate dolor eos eum porro in autem.

Perspiciatis iure magni sed velit laborum. Reiciendis dicta natus a. Fuga aperiam libero est quaerat eveniet numquam. Quisquam blanditiis quod facilis iste in recusandae.

Career Advancement Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.3%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.7%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 98.8%
  • Evercore 01 98.3%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.7%
  • Banco Santander 01 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.3%
  • JPMorgan No 97.7%
  • Goldman Sachs 02 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (14) $434
  • Associates (44) $258
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (13) $156
  • 1st Year Analyst (79) $150
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (73) $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
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
5
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
6
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
7
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
8
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
9
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
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...”