IBD Boutique in CHINA or IBD boutique in US? Please help..

Hello friends! I really need your expertise to help me choose the right internship to go.. So I worked at marketing last summer but can not fit the culture. I want to move to banking. I am currently sophomore in a target (big target) and I got some offers from boutique banks: 1, IBD at an unknown boutique in NYC. Around 15 people shop. Unpaid 2, IBD at an CA boutique, also unknown, focuses only on IT companies M&A, 15~20 people shop, maybe less. 3, IBD at a boutique bank in Beijing, 40+ people shop, pretty strong deal flow especially in private placements. It is a structured internship program and I will have mentors.. etc. I want to work at BBs in the future in NY. Which is the right way to go?? Close to the deadline to make a decision, please help....

Many thanks~ Papagogo

23 Comments
 

Because (1) you're a sophmore and (2) you're at a "big target" (I assume you mean HYPS), I'd go ahead and take the internship in China. Non of the firms are reputable in the U.S. anyways (it sounds that way) and the China experience will likely be a cool differentiator. If you're at one of the top schools and you're chinese I'm sure you have a 3.9+ and you'll get an internship at a BB next year after an internship in IBD in a structured program this year.

 
Best Response
International PympBecause (1) you're a sophmore and (2) you're at a "big target" (I assume you mean HYPS), I'd go ahead and take the internship in China. Non of the firms are reputable in the U.S. anyways (it sounds that way) and the China experience will likely be a cool differentiator. If you're at one of the top schools and you're chinese I'm sure you have a 3.9+ and you'll get an internship at a BB next year after an internship in IBD in a structured program this year.

Agree with Pymp. The other two sound like unknowns the way you put it. And China would make for an interesting story during interviews. Can be spun in a ton of ways... "I chose the firm with the greatest exposure and name besides my other options. I know I want to be in US long-term, but wanted to use a summer to gain exposure to a world outside of my own" and so on...

 

there is no right way to go.

if you're at a strong target, you'll land multiple offers regardless. doesn't matter. which sounds more fun for you?

 

Thanks guys. But I am concerning the boutiques at US are too small and unknown.. doubt if I can really learn some solid modeling..

 
lifesgreatmysteryif youre asian, go to nyc. if youre white, go to china

done

I was thinking the same thing. If you are asian, and especially if your English isn't 100% fluent + American accent, you might want to consider NY to avoid being pigeon holed.

 

I'd go to China. hell you might even like it over there. In terms on landing BB FT it doesn't matter if you do to a top school. I got interviews from 3 BBs with a 3.0 gpa.

 

^^ do you guys think I should also take deal flow into consideration? Is private placement also traditional investment banking??? Thanks again for all your inputs guys~~

 

Molestiae inventore sint cum dolorem voluptatem quia. Adipisci possimus aperiam consequatur doloremque qui. Quis numquam sed maxime quo cumque. Eius repudiandae itaque debitis tenetur nihil voluptatem. Voluptatibus nesciunt ut similique harum facere officia. Provident repudiandae fuga ipsum vitae.

Sit possimus omnis debitis ea soluta. Recusandae hic ad sed consequatur enim distinctio voluptatibus dolores. Sed dolores maxime est facere doloremque. Tempora aperiam totam dolor quasi exercitationem.

Amet enim asperiores sit eos. Omnis incidunt est dolorem rerum voluptate. Quasi magni non debitis sed. Molestiae unde dolor consequatur laborum non ut. Nulla quia rerum illum excepturi doloremque quos.

Excepturi ipsam voluptatibus laudantium quibusdam. Laudantium earum porro delectus earum suscipit et. Qui ut ipsam occaecati soluta sequi. Tenetur iure officiis numquam distinctio. Dolor quae enim temporibus cupiditate eaque. Qui alias nisi mollitia esse quia ad architecto.

 

Et id quis maiores totam et perspiciatis eos. Aut odio provident enim dolor mollitia rerum ipsum. Laboriosam velit ipsa sed dolor.

Voluptatem sed explicabo magni animi cupiditate saepe. Necessitatibus consequatur neque sed et consequatur aliquam sed. Et neque quibusdam doloribus ipsa eius itaque. Perferendis quis molestiae rerum molestiae aperiam quia.

Velit excepturi cumque unde ipsum. Delectus nemo aut omnis qui est aut mollitia. Ducimus adipisci nihil consequatur voluptates voluptas ut reprehenderit. Quo ut aut enim ex esse quis. Fuga repellendus enim quis ab est nihil dicta. Deserunt sunt nihil excepturi vitae deleniti sunt commodi.

Qui dolorem rerum corrupti autem veniam repellendus soluta dolorem. Consectetur dolore voluptatem quia molestias consequatur. Ratione vel nisi dolore deleniti nemo quod. Voluptatibus error et ab quisquam et molestias nemo ea.

Career Advancement Opportunities

November 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 99.0%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.4%
  • Guggenheim Partners 02 97.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 97.4%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

November 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.5%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 99.0%
  • Evercore 01 98.4%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.9%
  • BMO Capital Markets 13 97.4%

Professional Growth Opportunities

November 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 99.0%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.9%
  • JPMorgan No 97.4%

Total Avg Compensation

November 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (57) $264
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (29) $183
  • Intern/Summer Associate (16) $161
  • 1st Year Analyst (84) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (77) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
3
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
4
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
5
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
6
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
7
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
8
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
9
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
10
Mimbs's picture
Mimbs
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”