Burn a year? Help!

I need to make a decision within the next 24 hours.

Background: Current senior at a target on the West coast. Just got an exploding offer for a SA position at a BB for IBD but debating what to do.

Options I'm considering:

  1. Accept it, work my tail off to get an offer, and stay at school an extra semester after the internship and ideally leverage the offer during full time recruiting again.

  2. Accept it but continue looking for full time opps (which I've been doing for over 7 months now). I have a few more first round interviews for FT, but coming up next week and the week after.

My biggest issue is trying to decide whether or not to graduate in a few weeks. I can't decide if staying back another semester or even year (if I study abroad Spring semester) will look badly on a MBA school application in the future a few years down the line. Also, if I decide to stay on just another semester, what are my chances of being able to recruit and start as an Analyst in January?

I can't figure out what to do... recruiting has been incredibly tough the last year and I know this offer is a golden opportunity but can't decide whether or not to graduate in a few weeks or hold off another semester or even year...

Insight and suggestions are greatly appreciated!

7 Comments
 

option 1, you'll be getting paid this summer and will have better networking opps.

plus the job market will most likely be much better next semester.

------------ I'm making it up as I go along.
 

I agree with Cornelius. Headhunters that I havent heard from in 2 years are sending me emails with job opps on a weekly basis. Banks and MCs are ramping up hiring.

I would accept the SA offer (to see if IB is something you wish to pursue further), stay in school and study abroad (experience of a lifetime IMO). The SA on your resume will make FT recruiting that much easier. Keep the GPA up, continue networking and enjoy life before the real world hits you.

 
CharmWithSubstanceTake the job.

January start date is usually possible for those graduating in December.

Agree with above posters, including quoted, but - January starts suck. Don't do it unless you're cash-strapped or they push you to do so.
 

Et asperiores aliquam nobis ab corporis nihil est. Et consequatur nobis sunt nihil delectus. Ipsam qui id suscipit ex. Pariatur et qui quaerat ab et. Labore consequuntur rem eos ut rerum.

Est provident eveniet nesciunt et et nihil. Omnis qui unde ut quos omnis. Dicta vero cupiditate sit sit enim qui animi. Perferendis consequatur officiis doloremque tempora quibusdam adipisci adipisci. Dolores officiis blanditiis perferendis assumenda at voluptatem et ratione. Beatae voluptas atque et magnam. Enim fugiat modi eveniet.

Career Advancement Opportunities

July 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

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Evercore No 98.8%
  • Morgan Stanley 01 98.3%
  • BMO Capital Markets 13 97.7%
  • Banco Santander 01 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 98.3%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.7%
  • JPMorgan 01 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (15) $434
  • Associates (46) $258
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (13) $156
  • 1st Year Analyst (80) $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
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
3
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
4
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
5
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
6
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
7
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
8
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
9
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
10
Mimbs's picture
Mimbs
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...”