Morgan Stanley vs. Citi vs. Bain

Just another college junior trying to figure out what may be my best option. I have MS summer analyst offer, Citi summer analyst offer and a Bain consulting summer offer. Obviously I have to make a decision between banking and Bain, but I'd love to hear peoples opinions between MS and Citi, which is best at what, what groups I should aim for if I choose one of those firms and which is better at particular exit options. At this point I'm thinking either MF PE or B-school (on the west coast) but I am also a very entrepreneurial guy that has previous summer experience at bay area startups and I could see myself heading to one of those if it were the right fit and a great company. Thanks in advance for any and all thoughts on the topic.

12 Comments
 

What group/s MS/Citi do you have offers at? PM me if you don't want to say on here.

Ace all your PE interview questions with the WSO Private Equity Prep Pack: http://www.wallstreetoasis.com/guide/private-equity-interview-prep-questions
 

One thing you should remember: Going from MS summer to Bain FT is easy (for you, since you got their MUCH more competitive internship). The other way around is almost impossible.

As for MS vs Citi... MS is the winner, but IMO: MS M&A > Citi M&A > MS non-M&A > Citi non-M&A

 
randombetchOne thing you should remember: Going from MS summer to Bain FT is easy (for you, since you got their MUCH more competitive internship). The other way around is almost impossible.

As for MS vs Citi... MS is the winner, but IMO: MS M&A > Citi M&A > MS non-M&A > Citi non-M&A

Sorry bro, but you have no idea what you're talking about.

Ace all your PE interview questions with the WSO Private Equity Prep Pack: http://www.wallstreetoasis.com/guide/private-equity-interview-prep-questions
 
Stringer Bell
randombetchOne thing you should remember: Going from MS summer to Bain FT is easy (for you, since you got their MUCH more competitive internship). The other way around is almost impossible.

As for MS vs Citi... MS is the winner, but IMO: MS M&A > Citi M&A > MS non-M&A > Citi non-M&A

Sorry bro, but you have no idea what you're talking about.

Ditto.

 
Best Response
Stringer Bell
randombetchOne thing you should remember: Going from MS summer to Bain FT is easy (for you, since you got their MUCH more competitive internship). The other way around is almost impossible.

As for MS vs Citi... MS is the winner, but IMO: MS M&A > Citi M&A > MS non-M&A > Citi non-M&A

Sorry bro, but you have no idea what you're talking about.

Which part? Bain summer --> MS full time is a lot harder than MS summer --> Bain full time. This is pretty undisputable unless you have no idea how many interns/FT Bain hires vs how many interns/FT MS hires.

MS groups vs Citi groups is subjective.

 

I'd say if you could get MS tech group flip a coin between them and Bain and move on w/ your life. If there's any group that "places" well into VC for analyst it's between MS tech, pre-Qatalyst CS, and obv GS. All of those companies are extremely powerful platforms, so congrats.

Ace all your PE interview questions with the WSO Private Equity Prep Pack: http://www.wallstreetoasis.com/guide/private-equity-interview-prep-questions
 

I would go with MS if you want to get PE exit ops and a tech focus for possibly VC afterwards. The chance that you end up in their tech group is there so go for it. Bain is obviously also a great choice and most of the people I met from there loved their job and had some great exit ops into PE as well. Still personally would go with MS.

"too good to be true" See my WSO Blog
 

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