Failed SA 25 Next Steps?

Heyo,

Failed SA 2025 IBD pretty badly. For context, I got a semi-target decent GPA, networked a bit (definitely not as much as I should have).  Applied everywhere.  Couldn't get an interview anywhere let alone an offer.  Am I cooked gents?  

I guess the next steps would be to potentially try to go for a fifth year Masters Finance program or try my luck at FT?  This summer I have an offer at a F500 as an analyst doing CorpDev, FP&A, and IR.  Maybe I should just try to get a FT from them... But who knows.  Maybe I am just not suited for the IB lifestyle.  Considering options and career path choices going from here. 

Lemme hear your thoughts please.  

 

Your post makes it pretty clear why you struck out.

 

Sounds like you just weren't ready. I'd also not shit on your buddy like that—maybe there's a reason why he got an offer and you didn't. 

Besides that, I'd suggest a fifth year Masters program. I did something similar and went from AM to IB by doing a fifth year.

 
Most Helpful

Couldn't get an offer anywhere let alone an interview.

I’m seeing people incorrectly use this sentence structure all the time and am very confused. Shouldn’t the more unlikely event be in the second part of the sentence? I’d expect you to say “I couldn’t even get an interview anywhere, let alone an offer.”

Anyway congrats on lining up the F500 internship that’s awesome. This is a tough market and if I were you I would continue to recruit for SA 2025 until the bitter end, try to get the return from the F500 (obviously), and try to get the best IB job or closest to IB job when you graduate in 2026. Worst case you start full time in an IB-adjacent role and switch into IB when the market is favorable.

 

If I was you I would rerecruit for sa 26 next year and use this as a learning lesson.

 

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