Graduate School vs FT Recruiting

Hi all,

I still have a couple of months until I know definitively however I'm going to assume a worst-case scenario at the moment and assume that this summer I'll be ending up interning at a boutique that "rarely" gives FT offers to their SA.

I currently have IB experience with an internship and it's looking increasingly likely that I'll end up at another boutique for the summer. I come from a complete non-target that has produced less than five bankers ever (all either already retired or in the lower middle market) so an alumni network for FT is really rough.

Worst case scenario I'll have 8 months IB experience under my belt going into next fall, best case ~15 months. I have a 3.8 GPA currently. Question is, should I aim for FT recruiting or shoot for an MSF from Vandy (ideally), Boston College, UT Austin, and get access to that alumni network and recruiting opportunities?

 

It's up to you, but if it were me in this situation, I would work for a couple of years and then get my graduate degree. Work experience with an MBA is stronger than just an MBA with no real world work experience

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I'm currently finishing up my undergraduate so I don't have any work experience to enlighten you with. But I'm coming from a similar non-target. What I wish I had done was to apply for a MSF last year in case I don't get a full-time job this year after graduation. I believe when you get accepted to a MSF you have to pay a couple thousand to lock-in your spot. See that as an insurance against the possibility that you don't get the FT offer you want. Otherwise you might be forced to accept an offer you don't really want because you don't have an alternative.

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