How to actually do it as a final year?
Is there actually any concrete way to apply in your final year? Lie on portal and say the truth on CV w/Intended MSc? What is actually the way?
Would appreciate to hear from people with prior experience with this and how they went about it. Thanks.
Edit: I am trying to find the universal way of applying as a final year. I do not want to get autodinged. Neither do I want AI CV scanners to give me bad scores.
As a final-year student, the best way to apply for jobs, internships, or grad programs is to be upfront and consistent—don’t lie on portals or CVs, as that can backfire hard. Instead, clearly state your status like “BSc degree, expected [graduation date]; MSc Field, intended [start date]” in every application, using cover letters or “additional info” sections to explain your plan. Research opportunities that welcome final-year students, and highlight your current projects or skills to show your potential. Reach out to alumni or folks on LinkedIn/Reddit who’ve done this to get real tips—they’ll tell you honesty and clarity worked better than fudging anything.
Hi,
Will give you a real non-AI answer here.
I will first preface by saying that overall it's not easy given that the deadlines are all so early, but mainly that most the firms to which you will apply will have your application (which has some eligibility questions surrounding it) and another application which is of similar calibre to yours (if not better) with no eligbility questions surrounding it. In such a case, they will choose the latter.
The way to get round this is in theory to apply whilst stating that you are doing an Msc. This is actually hard to pull off as the major application window is in August, whilst you will be applying for your Msc in winter time and maybe getting an offer in spring. It is therefore really difficult to be able to say on your application form that you will definitely be graduating on a certain date when you don't even have any offers from any institutions. You should state on your CV that you are applying for Msc, but given that no human ever reads them, you will likely just get dinged from every online application you make. Highly recommend avoiding lying on the graduation date as this could put your reputation at stake - even if you get through to an interview it could come up and get you blacklisted.
This therefore leaves your best (and in some case only) option: You need to network aggressively, and when meeting/speaking with these people explain your situation clearly and with confidence. When you then apply, send them a message saying that you're grateful for their help and have just applied (do not explicitly ask for a referral). If they liked you, they may refer you. Overall, you want to maximise human interaction for your applications as this will allow you to exit the black box pathway, which you will not pass given your situation.
This also means that it is going to be easier for you to gain traction in boutique or smaller firms, where the recruitment is less bureaucratic and formulaic, and people can refer you with meaningful effect.
equally some firms do off cycles - they are mainly occupied by europeans who intern whilst they are still at university, so they can be quite competitive. Still worth trying.
good luck
Thanks for the detailed message.
Most common way I have heard is to put the graduation date in the portal as 2027. Would HR not understand that this is done just to not get autodinged as final year students, if pursuing an MSc, are actually penultimate year students? Surely they would understand this.
As for networking, I have tried and have successfully had chats with people. Problem is that there is no willingess to do so in London and the only chats I have had is with people VERY similar to me.
hey
you obviously can put grad in 2027, but you won't be able to put an institution (the forms will almost always request one). because you won't have an offer from another institution, this puts you in a tricky position.
I am not convinced by your opinion on networking - certainly not how I perceived it.
I mean in the portal, under my undergrad university, I can put the graduation date as June 2027. But then my CV has the actual graduation date of June 2026 with Intended MSc.
Would you have any tips for networking? I am trying and have been sending loads of emails.
i would send outreach on linkedin.
keep short and punchy and have an nice profile.
Make sure you have several backups lined up as well, whether they are boutique firms or small PE shops. Don't put all your eggs in one basket at this point in your career. I have a smart friend who went to a no-name boutique and ended up at the best wc bank team 3 years later
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