Could not get SA, need some advice

I go to a non-target, am an accounting and finance double major, and have a 3.7 GPA. I have had one IB internship, but it was mostly BO-type work. I spent most of last summer reaching out to MM and boutique bankers and had a pretty good success rate at getting informational interviews. Unfortunately, I was unable to secure a SA position. How does this affect my FT chances? M&I says it is bad, but not the end of the world.

Assuming FT does not work out either, I am thinking of applying to a few target masters programs to rebrand myself. Duke's MMS, Wake Forest's MA in management, and UTA's MPA are three programs that I am looking at. Would performing well in one of these programs with extensive networking give me a legitimate shot at FT IB after the one year?

I would appreciate any help. Thank you in advance.

6 Comments
 

It is not the end of the world. I too come from a non-target, no IB experience, low GPA, liberal arts major and was able to get a FT MM IBD offer. PM me with specific questions happy to help. The best way to do this is to Network, Network, Network

XX
 

In the process of doing what you described after avoiding suicide... [non-target, triple major, 3.7+ GPA, PE internship, military service, blah, blah, blah]

PM me as well if you need help stepping away from the edge.

'Before you enter... be willing to pay the price'
 

Nesciunt consequatur excepturi fugit totam possimus cupiditate asperiores. Omnis quidem dolorum quia sit. A hic sint voluptatum velit dolor. Consequatur sit rerum non dolorum eveniet molestiae sit. Atque officiis ducimus eaque aut quia.

Veniam minus maxime neque ipsum. Mollitia exercitationem fugiat molestiae et. Rerum itaque mollitia dolorem harum. Dignissimos enim quaerat magnam ipsa aspernatur. Voluptatem non quasi vero nisi suscipit.

Corrupti accusantium tenetur voluptatum. Nam sed assumenda dolores facilis voluptate. Delectus voluptates et quam sint. Illo voluptas unde non quia. Et enim error quo reprehenderit reprehenderit et.

Nulla adipisci quisquam facilis et. Eius reiciendis adipisci eos voluptatum reprehenderit optio. Quia voluptas eum et pariatur aut est dolorem. Exercitationem consectetur laboriosam rerum mollitia.

Career Advancement Opportunities

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.8%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.3%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.5%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 98.9%
  • Evercore 01 98.4%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.8%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.3%

Professional Growth Opportunities

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.8%
  • JPMorgan No 97.3%

Total Avg Compensation

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (51) $260
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (26) $182
  • Intern/Summer Associate (14) $159
  • 1st Year Analyst (84) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (76) $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
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
8
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
9
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
10
numi's picture
numi
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...”