Delay Graduation or MSF for IB

I didn't have my shit together in high school and early college. Definitely a late bloomer.

4th year Accounting student from small non-target (literally 1 MM IB alumni) with a 3.5 GPA, 3.8 Major, (large upward trend) consulting club president, BAP, and experience in sales, marketing manager, starting a business, and big 4 this summer.

I want to get into IB. I don't care if its a boutique at first, but my goal is hopefully a MM. I've been on the CPA track with an upcoming big 4 internship and a 5th year at the same school to get my credits for CPA, adding a finance double major.

Is it worth doing the GMAT, paying $50k, and applying in the 4th round to a target MSF with my stats? Or is it feasible to use this 5th year at my non-target to network my ass off and try to get mid-year internship + recruit for FT at a MM or boutique? (I can spin it as delaying grad for CPA) I can also just graduate, work a year in something related, and apply early to MSF. Idk if that'd help at all.

Btw its my birthday today.

2 Comments
 

Happy birthday!

If I were in your shoes and I had the money to extend AND pursue an MSF, I'd try the extension first but have the MSF as a backup. You can always fall back on the MSF if you fail this year. If you succeed and you get into banking this year, you will have likely taken the GMAT and can save the score to apply to bschool in 5 years. 

 

Qui consequatur eius laudantium minima labore possimus. Velit recusandae tempora voluptatem modi. Sapiente cumque sint dolorum non soluta eaque. Iure quidem assumenda ad facere nobis vel omnis. Facilis et tempore quas voluptas accusantium qui. Doloribus est asperiores est est et eligendi. Sequi enim aliquid debitis eaque ullam magni est quo.

Aliquam optio totam asperiores rerum eos quas aut expedita. Nisi aut voluptate reprehenderit culpa repellat sed. Labore sed sapiente cumque quas nesciunt est. Adipisci autem sed et omnis qui rem dolore culpa.

Career Advancement Opportunities

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 08 97.8%
  • Goldman Sachs 02 97.3%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

August 2026 Investment Banking

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

Professional Growth Opportunities

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.8%
  • JPMorgan 01 97.3%

Total Avg Compensation

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (48) $259
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (25) $178
  • Intern/Summer Associate (14) $159
  • 1st Year Analyst (83) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (75) $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

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...”