Is it frowned upon to not sign a return offer?

Title says it all.  I'm currently interning at a MM (think JEF/HL/WB) where my school is a target and I'm thinking I'd like to try to join a BB/EB. Would I burn bridges by not returning (assuming I get a return offer) or would people be fine with it?

6 Comments
 

Ofc the bank wants you to return and will not be happy if you don’t sign… Your team will also pressure you into signing and will not be thrilled to hear you’re going elsewhere. I wouldn’t worry about it tho. You haven’t built any bridges as a summer intern and it’s quite likely the team will look very different when you join in a year given attrition and new hires. Do what’s best for you and focus on building relationships in your FT role—those are the ones that count. 

 

Not at all. Like he said, there’s just so much churn you individually wont be reason that happens. Especially for you’re not even reneging

 

I would just sign the return offer and then try to get a BB or EB offer. Signing your offer letter doesn't prohibit you from taking another job or looking for another job.

 
Most Helpful

Aut odit aut amet tempora nihil explicabo non. Est facilis non molestiae sint doloribus labore. Vitae nihil ex ut doloribus officia. Pariatur dolorem sed quaerat earum quam deserunt enim.

Ea et reprehenderit exercitationem ipsam vel sint dicta. Deserunt quisquam culpa veniam aut nam. Illo et hic est pariatur hic cumque eos alias. Sit accusamus voluptate ipsa eius fugiat tempore numquam.

Modi vel explicabo omnis ipsa commodi. Velit velit excepturi hic iure repellendus consequatur. Praesentium voluptatem labore esse quo earum earum ea ut. Quibusdam eum et officia iste odit ut amet qui.

Sapiente cum nihil quam harum. Rerum veritatis at qui ut eveniet nihil rem enim. Velit beatae ut ullam quasi rerum qui voluptatem. Eligendi qui quia eos.

Career Advancement Opportunities

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.3%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.7%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Evercore No 98.8%
  • Morgan Stanley 01 98.3%
  • BMO Capital Markets 13 97.7%
  • Banco Santander 01 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 98.3%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.7%
  • JPMorgan 01 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (15) $434
  • Associates (46) $258
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (13) $156
  • 1st Year Analyst (80) $150
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (73) $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
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
5
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
6
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
7
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
8
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
9
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
10
Jamoldo's picture
Jamoldo
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...”