How to declare as a summer analyst candidate?

I networked my ass off this summer during my M&A internship in Atlanta, but it seems like I missed out on FT recruitment for the BBs and elite boutiques. I haven't officially been rejected, but as it is now the middle of October, I don't think my chances are too good. My backup plan has always been to pursue a MSF at one of the top programs as my candidate profile matches or exceeds most programs outside of MIT with its math requirements.

How should I go about declaring as a summer analyst applicant instead of FT? I plan on shooting out a round of emails to the guys that submitted my resume for FT to let them know my plan on Monday then after speaking with them, emailing a recruiter at each bank to ask how I should proceed.

Does anyone think I should wait until I officially receive a denial before moving forward? I am graduating a semester early so it's certainly very pressing.

With my early graduation, I have also considered moving to NYC in January to pursue an off-cycle hire. I have family there and believe I could get a spring internship at a small boutique. Anyone see this as a better option?

Thanks in advance.

- Nervous ass monkey

13 Comments
 
NYKnicks92

well I was about to suggest deferring graduation so you'd be considered a junior and go through SA recruiting again but it sounds like you want to graduate early. So I have no idea.

I have also considered this. I could add an economics major or math major and finish a semester late versus a semester early. I just thought a masters in finance would align with my interests better, but it definitely complicates the process since banks haven't really figured out what to do with MSFs yet.
 
NYKnicks92

I've seen people do it and do quite well since they have an extra summer of solid experience and an extra semester to raise their gpa. I know a guy at GS that got in that way.

I'm not sure how to go about it though but it obv can be done.

Thanks for the advice.

Anyone else have some insight? I'm going to ask some of the recruiters in the morning about delaying graduation to push for another major in economics.

 
Best Response

Also heartily recommend delaying graduation. You can do this a couple ways. - pick up another major, minor, or study abroad for a semester - go part-time for your eighth and ninth semesters - complete the regular number of semesters (8) but take a gap and work, travel, or intern

You do not even to disclose this when applying. Simply list Class of 2015 on your resume instead of 2014. When asked about your internship, refer to it as your sophomore internship. You can look more impressive on paper for getting a decent internship as an underclassman, and given your experience in the recruiting game you will have a significant advantage on all the intangibles and soft stuff relative to your peers.

I am permanently behind on PMs, it's not personal.
 
CodeBlue

Thanks for the advice so far. I spoke with one of the connections I have made so far, and when I brought up delaying graduation, he was worried I might get dinged for not finishing in 4 years even if I do get 2 majors because some people I will be competing against will have completed 2 majors on time. Any idea how to swing this?

Finishing college isn't a race, and your interviewers won't look at it that way. They'll just think it's cool/unusual that you have multiple majors and be impressed with that killer "sophomore" internship.

Delay graduation. Paid off for every single person I know that did it.

 

It really seems like delaying graduation is the best way to approach my situation after hearing the feedback on here. I currently am majoring in finance with a "concentration" in accounting. I could turn my concentration into a major with 12 more hours of accounting. Since I am on pace to graduate this December, should I take the spring off to search for a winter internship then finish up in Fall of 2014 thus making myself a 2015 analyst candidate?

I would technically be finishing in 8 semesters, which is on time, but I could spin it as I wanted to take a full semester as a full-time intern to get better work experience before entering job market.

 

Also, since I have not received any feedback on my active applications, is now an appropriate time to inform HR that I will be delaying graduation and that I would like to be considered for a summer analyst position instead of FT?

I've spent the past 12 months networking with Lazard, Citi, DB, Barclays, JPM, MS, and Credit Suisse for FT recruitment, and if I were to delay graduation and notify HR to change my application from FT to SA, does anybody know when SA applications are due for these banks for non-targets? I'd like to know when I really need to make my decision on my application status to make sure I don't miss out on both FT and SA.

 

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