FT Start Dates

Often the bigger banks have a training program that all the analysts go through. They typically bring in outside professors/companies to do this, so all the analysts have to do it at once (ie - in the summer, when everyone else starts).

That said, some banks may be flexible and let you start early with the realization that you'll be "flying blind" for 6 months with no training, as you have to wait for your analyst peers to start training.

On another note - don't graduate early.

College is the best 4 years of your life, and the last time when you're not going to have all the pressures of real life. Enjoy time with your friends, get drunk, be irresponsible. This is your last chance.

I have friends that have graduated early, and every single one has told me they regret it.

I have friends that graduated early and hung out at school - i wish i had done that. I do know of one specific case where a student in my friend's analyst class graduated in december and started early.

I'm graduating a semester earlier and then heading to Vancouver in 2010 for the Olympics.

I haven't heard of anything like this hapenning w/ new hires. However, I know several lateral hires from outside IBD who started in December - April and then joined their "incoming class" for training in July. I doubt your situation would be much more difficult. That being said, unless the group desperately needs analysts (not likely in this mkt), banks like to keep everyone on the same schedule.

I know of a few people who were able to start very early, right after the new year. One of them had a masters, and the others had been summer analysts. That being said, its very rare due to the nature of the training courses they like to put you through.

Enjoy your free semester at college, work at the library or something and drink a bunch.

great thread; i was wondering the same thing

Who would graduate early and hang out at school? Sounds lame to me. Might as well pick up some classes and learn something valuable...I think people look like tools if they graduate and hang out at school....

Thank you for all of the advice.

Yeah. We had a kid start early in our group. He had graduated in December, traveled for a few months, and started in March. He was also a summer the year before, though, and people really liked him so he was assimilated without any major issues. We all thought it was the worst decision ever, but I guess he was bored.

only graduate early if 1) you will travel the world and get a great experience rivaling the best your school can provide 2) need to enter the H1-B visa lottery, the sooner the better folks

depends on the bank - i graduated in december and am starting march 3, and still attending training in july. in some sense, the associates feel that i'll be an asset to the analyst class with a few months of experience out of the way before training. i know a handful of people given the opportunity, though you have to express it throughout the interviews; you can't just surprise them at the end with the news. also, my initial offer had a july start date and had to work with the vps and hr to amend it. it's doable if you make your intentions clear - though i suggest not making it out to be a deal breaker/maker.

whoever mentioned that you will be working for free is incorrect. i, and the others in my dec graduating class going into banking early, have been told we'd receive a stub bonus (pro-rata) in july when the other analysts are graded. just something to keep in mind.

What a great opportunity to do those thing that you've "always wanted to do."

Not much time afterwards.

I have a flexible start date this summer. The HR woman was telling me to go away and start later than sooner. They encourage new hires to travel/spend time with friends and family before starting.