Morgan Stanley LA vs Barclays NYC
Hey guys - the title says it all. I have offers from both but wanted to hear any thoughts or advice.
Trending Content - Investment Banking Forum
| +152 | ONLY THESE BANKS OR YOU STRUCK OUT | 39 | 1h |
| +122 | Why UBS Is the Worst Place to Start Your IB Career | 13 | 1h |
| +113 | IB Energy Drink Tier List / Ranking | 74 | 48m |
| +61 | Firm Thinks I'm Lying About Offer | 20 | 51m |
| +54 | Indiana University Fraternity Pipelines | 33 | 2h |
| +39 | Stay at Weak Dealflow Team or Lateral? | 12 | 1d |
| +36 | Rogo AI | 15 | 41m |
| +36 | Elite Boutique interview questions | 8 | 1d |
| +34 | Suspended for a Year | 11 | 16h |
| +23 | 1st Half 2026 (1H26) RX IB & RX Co. Rankings | 14 | 2d |
Career Resources
Same - sorry! PM me tomorrow?
It depends on future goals. This may seem contrary to popular belief but from my experiences and many of my peers' from uni, if you want to do traditional LBO Private Equity, MS LA is the way to go. If your goal is to stay in banking, corporate development, Venture Capital, or Growth Equity, go with Barclays NYC. Again, it seems contradictory but this is the trend from what I've seen.
Can I ask how you've noticed this? Everyone I've spoken with has said it is the other way. But then again, this is all uni students vs someone who is out there.
I come from a west coast target where I was part of our investment fund that sends half its kids to BBs in NYC, and other half to EB/BB in SF/LA. Finished on cycle last year and based on all my uni peers, my own experiences (mid level BB, like Barclays in NYC), and my coworkers, this was the clear trend. Of course, my world is limited so maybe things are different by the time you are recruiting on cycle.
Would you say generally NYC is a much much better city than LA or even SF for finance?
Studied in West Coast, work in NYC. Both are great places for Finance and if you are in a brand name bank at either location, you aren't pigeonholed.
Congrats on the offers! I have a couple of buddies who worked in MS LA and Barclays; if you want to PM me i'd be happy to help
How would you say culture / lifestyle is like between the two?
Happy to talk as well - I have good insight as to one of the opps.
can you PM me? I'm out of PMs
PM me - work in the west coast and have had buddies at both places
Corporis ea id et voluptatem saepe et animi. Fugiat officia labore adipisci qui et autem. Consequuntur blanditiis ipsum ipsam.
Ratione aliquid id maxime rerum fugiat aliquam quo. Quis qui qui ad qui et placeat.
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...