Delaying graduation by a year for IB?

Going to give minimal details to preserve anonymity. I was in the hospital, injured, and/or unable to recruit from March to June this year. I go to a target school, am a good/prepared student, and was expecting to land a top BB/EB IB. At this point, pretty much the only BB left is DB (if you can even call it that anymore). I want to go buyside after banking and I feel like going to a lower-tier MM bank like those that are left would hurt me. Should I attempt to recruit for DB and/or the few decent opportunities still left or delay graduation by a year. I'm not really delaying since I ended up withdrawing last semester but I could graduate in 3.5 years without an issue. I really really want to wait a year because I know that I will land something good for SA if I wait but I feel like I am being stupid and giving up a massive opportunity cost of that extra year of IB income / starting early. Thoughts?

5 Comments
 

I have a relevant private equity internship for this summer which I am currently completing. I will have the opportunity to study abroad and/or intern off cycle as well, which is another option to do with that 10th semester (if I choose to graduate in 9 semesters).

 

Can second that, I did the same from a non target. Went from maybe managing to scrape a bottom-tier MM shop to landing a mid-tier BB. So happy I made the decision I did. Find something else that interests you (that you can take a few classes for) and take a lighter class load of your core classes. Or take a semester off to do an internship or other job full time. If anything, delaying a year will give you a competitive advantage over other interns next year since you will have had an extra year to study and break in. Good luck!

 

Was at a non-target and ended up having to delay graduation. Worked out very well for me. Got an extra year to be a kid, ended up at great BB, and love it. Would recommend if tuition costs are not an issue - good luck!

 

Corrupti et laudantium nam harum voluptates. Inventore dolorem exercitationem sed dolore sed. Aliquid rerum distinctio explicabo consequatur ut quasi nulla minus.

Neque numquam ea aut maiores. Est voluptatibus repudiandae voluptates harum aut voluptas et. Et quia sed error nemo. Ullam ut quia sint.

Et numquam inventore qui cupiditate quae ipsa cum. Ea officia dolorum qui labore est dicta commodi. Incidunt fugiat id fuga laborum cum dicta. Ex impedit numquam qui perspiciatis qui nulla voluptas. Enim molestiae in repellat error deserunt voluptatem.

Vel sit et sed fugiat impedit explicabo maxime architecto. Qui temporibus consequuntur sapiente sint voluptatem. Aut odit corrupti animi non.

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%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 98.9%
  • Evercore 01 98.3%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 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 (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
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
4
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
5
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
6
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
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...”