DECISION To MAKE: 1st year Analyst offer at a six-man Lower MM boutique IB or do a Top MSF program?

I am a 24-year-old who recently graduated from a non-target with a major in finance and a minor in economics; 3.6 GPA and have been interning at a <10-man lower MM boutique IB firm since last summer. Before this, I interned at two search funds.

The firm has a solid deal flow, and I am staffed on all their deals. I recently offered me a full-time job offer to be their very first and sole analyst. I am grateful for the opportunity and worked hard for it, but my ultimate goal is to work at a MM firm and later make the switch to PE.

I am also applying to round 4 at a couple of master in finance programs that place well in IB. I received GMAT waivers for two of these programs, so I am confident if I write a stellar essay, get my recommenders to write me Greta letters of recommendation, and give a killer interview - I’ll be admitted to one of these MSF programs and be able to rebrand myself and break into a MM firm.

  • Should I forget the MSF, save the money, and accept the analyst offer, or should I do the MSF? Would working as an analyst at my current firm make it harder for me to pivot to middle-market IBs and, ultimately, MM PE firms?

Looking forward to reading what you guys think would be best. Thanks!

8 Comments
 

John Dutton the Rancher

IB market is absolute dog shit right now. I'd take the job offer, stay for a year and then pivot to any Middle-Market bank. Those students doing a MSF are SOOO fucked when it comes to IB recruiting this upcoming year..Save yourself the trouble and take the offer. 

Agreed. The LMM experience would look better anyways than a MSF. Plus, you are making money vs paying tuition

 

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