Lying about delayed grad to recruit for SA 2026

Hello all,

I missed the recruiting cycle for SA 2025 when I graduate in Fall 2025. I think applying for FT positions would be much more difficult breaking in and I'm not sure what my other options are as it seems almost everything is wrapped up. Would pretending that I grad Dec 2026 by 5-year masters or the fact that I am a transfer (only 2 years on transcript, grad in 3.5) in order to recruit for SA 2026 be a good idea? I'd have more time to prep and another semester to increase my GPA. I also don't have enough money to actually delay graduation by another year. Assuming that I get an offer, what would I do in the time until FT if I cannot start FT earlier?

Thanks for the guidance.

Recruit for SA 2026

Yes
59% (10 votes)
No
41% (7 votes)
Total votes: 17
3 Comments
 

Did you go through the whole interviewing/networking process this time around? May make it awkward if people remember you. 
 

Also, don’t “lie” about anything. If you’re going to take another semester or year then add a minor or certificate or study abroad or something. 

 

Voluptatem deserunt beatae assumenda et eum vel pariatur. Modi reiciendis et quas explicabo praesentium. Provident adipisci autem aliquid corrupti doloribus est. Dolor sed sapiente ad.

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

Career Advancement Opportunities

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 08 97.8%
  • Goldman Sachs 02 97.3%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.5%
  • Evercore No 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 01 98.4%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.8%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.3%

Professional Growth Opportunities

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.8%
  • JPMorgan No 97.3%

Total Avg Compensation

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (50) $259
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (25) $178
  • Intern/Summer Associate (14) $159
  • 1st Year Analyst (84) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (75) $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

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...”