Starting a thread for this for this recruiting season. Also was wondering from past students who got into the diversity program: do you have any tips for the personal statement? It states why do you want to do the program? Not sure what to say besides Why Moelis/Why IB type stuff.
| +85 | Drunk VP. How to manage? | 28 | 4h |
| +45 | How do I take my foot off the gas? (AN1) | 4 | 3d |
| +44 | Lazard US Views 2026/2027 | 16 | 2h |
| +40 | Who is the final boss in Houston Energy? (GS, JEFF or EVR) | 9 | 6h |
| +37 | Tomorrow Will Be Better | 5 | 6h |
| +33 | Moelis PCA vs Lower tier BB Coverage | 18 | 3h |
| +28 | Why Do We Turn Comments? | 3 | 11h |
| +22 | UBS’s Investment Bank Is Building an AI Slop Factory | 2 | 8h |
| +21 | How early is to early? | 9 | 1d |
| +21 | [2026 - October] Unbiased Prestige Rankings | 7 | 8h |
Career Resources
Get instant access to lessons taught by experienced private equity pros and bulge bracket investment bankers including financial statement modeling, DCF, M&A, LBO, Comps and Excel Modeling.
All these programs Ive come to the conclusion that they're bullshit - I'm Black BTW. Its all a front to say they interviewed "diverse" candidates when criticized like Apollo was a few weeks back on Bloomberg. You more than likely won't get in through "diversity" at most EB firms like Moelis. Might work at the BBs but chances are slim to none at the EBs. Just do a quick LinkedIn search at the "dIvErSiTy" of the current employees or the leadership section on the firm's site. Most people I know personally that got into Moelis and places like Lazard either got in through legacy admissions, a family friend putting in a good word, or a freak genius that attended a H/S/W kind of school. If they do take a "diverse" candidate, it 90% of the time would be a white or asian girl. I hate to be that guy but if you're kind of average at a non target school, I won't even waste my time with the EBs - speaking from personal experience. Join programs like SEO, MLT, and Inroads if you're truly a "diverse" candidate. Doing so should get you internship and full time interviews with their partners who are mostly BB and MM firms. I did.
Check out last year’s event
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/ER0ZxVNUUAEbDp5?format=jpg&name=large
Im “diverse” and wasnt ever accepted into these programs but still got EB offers through the regular cycle. It does seem like the BB programs are easier to get into (though they also look for people to fill their many non-IB divisions)
I see, thanks that really helps! And based on that picture lol I def won't get in, they only had a few males. I'll just drop my resume to these "diversity" programs and not spend any time but will focus on regular cycle obviously.
I am black so I would like to ask how these diversity programs work and how to use them to your advantage to get into ibd at a BB
Thank you, that helps a lot! I'll def just focus on MM and BBs; I've heard similar things that you said about EBs. And yea I'm in Inroads but will also look into MLT and SEO because I wasn't aware of those. Thanks!
Facts
I am black so I would like to ask how these diversity programs work and how to use them to your advantage to get into ibd at a BB
I usually just say I’m a Nigerian price looking to work/source deals. It’s gotten me into most of the so called diversity programs
think PJT SF filled their class with the women's program last year
If you're kind of average at a non target school, you shouldn't get into any of these banks, regardless of programs
As "average" as the guy that got in through nepotism and family connections
Are there Inroads-type programs for grad/professional students?
Do I have to network to get into this program if I have a BB sophomore internship, two AM internships (one at a huge brand) and a top GPA and good ECs?
You won’t get in due to yield protection. See the 2020 thread for this program; several people with BB sophomore internships were rejected without interview due to yield protection as Moelis assumes you’ll go back to BB for junior year.
so for those that have IB internships, to what level do they let people in usually? Those that have a MM IB internship?
Has anyone heard back yet?
Got a first round via email this afternoon. Anyone else?
Edit: If you get a first round, what are the chances you'll actually get into the program?
No idea, but they only accept a handful into the program so it's obviously competitive. Congrats on the first round though, I didn't get an email so probably got dinged. Did you network a lot for the program?
Do they do it on a rolling basis or were all invites sent out at once?
I just got an email invite today for an interview, so I assume rolling
When did you apply?
Has anyone been rejected?
Do they ask any diversity-related questions (e.g. how can you bring diversity to the firm) during the interview?
Anyone knows if we are supposed to be assigned to an interview time slot or choose one by ourselves? I filled out the form for interview request but didn't see a place to choose time slots...
For me, they had a spot to choose interview times specifically, so I chose a slot. However when I chose my slot a couple days ago there was only one slot available; not sure what that means.
Shoot I never saw a place to choose time slots and didn't get any confirmation after completing the form. Now the form is closed...
If I didn't get an invite yet, do I assume I was rejected?
Yes, I just had my interview today and my interviewer said the last interviews are tomorrow. The interview was weird tho, he asked some obscure technical question even tho the email said the interview would be behavioral, so doubt I’ll get it anyways
Same here - had my interview Monday and they asked me a few technical questions even though email said all behavioral.
.
do you get to interview early for SA22?
If you get into the program, then yes, but even after the interview, it's highly competitive to get into the program; at least that's what my interviewer implied
Are you saying it’s highly competitive to get into the internship program or the YLDP program?
I applied 1/5 and interviewed a couple days ago. (I’m a black male, btw) All questions were behavioral. Pretty standard stuff...
Smart move, just looking out for you
Not sure how. Just trying to help
Thanks. First post ever and I blew it
Any acceptances yet? I have not received any emails after the interview, but I don't think my interview went super well
They said acceptances would come out this week. I thought mine went okay, but we'll see.
Anyone hear back?
No
Just got an invite today
.
Just received the invite
Are y'all planning on doing the early or normal interview? I'm weighing the pros vs cons and trying to decide bc early interview may mean higher chance since you're just competing with YLDP, but obviously you will be less prepared than the normal interview in April
To those invited, are you guys core or noncore schools? Getting a bit nervous here.
I'm a core school but didn't receive an invite - Im p sure for both core and noncore schools the invites were sent out so we didn't get it
I was just wondering if noncore went out first since the poster below confirmed they were noncore. Do you know people at core schools who got the invite? If so, then RIP us.
I go to a noncore and got the invite
How competitive was it this year?
Not sure what you mean by that question. It's a diversity event at a top EB, so obviously it was competitive, but obviously, no one knows the exact acceptance rate.
Does getting rejected from this affect our chances at the actual internship program?
No idea - I also didn't get an invite. I think if we get the first round interview and get a different interviewer we could still definitely have a chance? Idk tho, just network and apply and see what happens
Do you think it'd affect our chance at getting the first round interview though? Thinking it might be in the system next to our name...
Hi guys, went through the program last year. No it does not, and all banks claim that rejection from the diversity program does not affect regular recruiting. No idea what happens in practice, but that is what is said. Banks tell diversity candidates they are still in the running for regular recruiting
Are all invites definitely out? Had my first round on 2/2 and my interviewer told me in an email afterwards that he'd be in touch again shortly and I had an ED push my name to recruiters (I'm noncore w/ no alumni from my school) but have not heard anything since
Just got a rejection email. Check your inbox?
hmm that's interesting I haven't gotten a rejection email either.. are you core or noncore?
I know many of you are new to the game but don't hinge on the fact that not getting a rejection is surprising or a good thing. I went through recruiting for SA 21, and technically still haven't heard from a BB and an EB after having superdays at both places.
Lol, that makes sense. So not hearing back = a rejection?
Yes, most of the times, that's the case.
Any YLDP participants hear back from first-round interviews yet?
You guys already had first rounds?
yeah had mine on Friday.
Had my first round on Thursday, got the superay invite that night. Got the superday on Tuesday
Core or non-core?
I'm noncore and didn't get a super day inv yet...anyone else in the same boat? or did any non cores get a super day? kinda nervous
Enim consequatur eaque est consequatur quis animi necessitatibus. Ut modi perferendis esse provident eaque. Sunt eos molestiae rem nesciunt qui temporibus officia repellat.
Fuga sed non blanditiis illum. Sit quisquam voluptate et aspernatur nam blanditiis.
See All Comments - 100% Free
WSO depends on everyone being able to pitch in when they know something. Unlock with your email and get bonus: 6 financial modeling lessons free ($199 value)
or Unlock with your social account...
Eum porro atque ullam a. Ut vel similique iusto in natus sed aliquam.
Ut quibusdam sequi eveniet eum sapiente sed possimus. Consectetur repellendus quasi et similique placeat quae. Ipsa aut iusto consequatur. Optio incidunt distinctio laudantium sequi. Ipsa atque in dolorem vel aut adipisci.
Labore qui magni voluptatem molestias autem quo. Et facere enim illo dignissimos in in. Ut fugit est quo hic tempore qui. Quasi sequi et ratione. Corrupti non eum et blanditiis. Eveniet modi delectus quis quia commodi. Quaerat illum temporibus illo et maiores doloremque possimus.
Voluptate est facilis qui voluptas libero. Nam non facere perferendis ducimus earum exercitationem. Sed rem sequi exercitationem ad facere cupiditate. At voluptatem illum qui at praesentium dolorem.
Tempora blanditiis suscipit earum eos iure distinctio. Commodi repellendus officia qui qui quisquam qui ab.
Corporis nihil nulla consequuntur molestiae explicabo excepturi. Reprehenderit rerum beatae natus nihil. Deserunt dicta porro enim saepe sunt. Porro quia numquam quasi. Officia porro quasi sunt voluptatem rerum. Tenetur odit qui aliquam porro voluptas. Ea nulla dolorum rerum maiores cumque laborum sed.
Neque non ipsa aut ut voluptates eos consequatur. Et temporibus voluptates atque sit ullam eligendi occaecati. Sed distinctio voluptates vero et et error. Quaerat laboriosam quod eum quia et molestias in non.
Dicta vitae labore eius sed praesentium architecto. Et eligendi possimus aut qui. Aut quod fugit incidunt esse. Unde ducimus tempore doloremque vitae sunt vel enim.
Incidunt officiis animi qui magni repudiandae aperiam. Quidem deserunt inventore ut nostrum minima rerum ullam. Porro deleniti consectetur et ut minus repellendus. Hic modi tenetur alias eveniet quia rerum. Et et voluptas ea hic saepe. Modi libero tempore voluptas quo officia molestiae assumenda.
Pariatur inventore vero ut quas qui. Ea dolore fugit dolorum consequatur in ratione facilis. Necessitatibus dolorem a mollitia vel.