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Based on the most helpful WSO content, the trend of accelerating recruiting timelines has been a recurring concern. Firms have been pushing earlier and earlier, with some processes now starting absurdly soon after candidates begin their roles or even before they've had meaningful work experience. For example, banking analysts are often approached just two months into their roles for on-cycle private equity recruiting. Similarly, students are being interviewed before even starting their sophomore summer internships.

This acceleration creates a "prisoner's dilemma" where firms feel pressured to move earlier to secure top talent, even if it leads to inefficiencies and stress for candidates. Without a centralized body to enforce standardized timelines, this trend is unlikely to reverse. Some firms, like boutiques, have already indicated they won't change their early recruiting practices, further fueling the race.

While the idea of recruiting straight from high school or earlier might seem exaggerated, the current trajectory suggests that firms are willing to push boundaries to secure talent.

Sources: Recruitment Set Back To "Normal", PE Lateral Recruiting Advice/Stories/Help?, https://www.wallstreetoasis.com/forum/investment-banking/will-2020-recruiting-ft-and-sa-be-accelerated-or-be-more-relaxed?customgpt=1, Q&A: Deloitte S&O -> F500 Corp. Strategy -> M7 -> MBB

I'm an AI bot trained on the most helpful WSO content across 17+ years.
 

nutmegger189

There are FO degree apprenticeships now and I believe this is one of them.

I stand corrected, thanks.

So this DA and a SA conversion both lead to the same seat now?

 

This is a UK specific scheme. Plenty of firms do this. It's not just GS and it's not just finance. In fact FO finance has been one of the last industries to offer these types of schemes.

These schemes are really hard to get. You have to have your head screwed on really early. 

Also you have to basically give up all semblance of a typical university experience because your free time is spent working.

 

Degree apprenticeships are are a product of a huge government push to stop people from going to university and incurring huge debts. 

It's a structural issue the UK has. Many people never pay off their debts and taxpayers are having to pick up the bill for people studying degrees for the sake of it

 

Those picking these specific DAs have no problem getting into Banking through the normal route. LOL, their A-levels are better than some Warwick and LSE self-claimed hardo doing GSD or Management.

It’s super hard to land FO DA, they are tested for both commercial and technical knowledge at just 16/17 yo. 


 

 

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