Morgan Stanley West Coast Offices (Menlo/SF)

Rising sophomore at a California target with several alumni across the MS California offices (Menlo TMT, San Francisco FSG / Industrial Tech / HC). Curious about recruiting processes for these offices, exit opportunities for NYC/SF/LA, and relative strengths/weaknesses between the two, as someone interested in exiting to PE/Credit-focused shops. Not deadset on recruiting for TMT, but am interested in the space. 

I know there's a lot of information regarding MS Menlo on WSO, but I haven't seen too much on the SF office, though I am aware SF works with Menlo often given the tech-focused deals they cover in sponsors and health-tech. 

Would really appreciate any further information

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Was at another top BB in SF and have had friends at both Menlo/sf

Menlo- notorious for its culture, you will get grinded. Analysts get interviews anywhere and exits have been stellar. Without a doubt at par with GS/Q for tech

SF- very lean analyst classes across cov groups, chill culture and extremely strong exits per capita (UMM/MF). Exits aren’t as strong as Menlo, more so due to personal preferences / selection bias I’d suspect, but are on par with NYC

Recruiting- both offices run their own processes and, as all SF/Menlo groups, are very specialized towards the coverage group you’re interviewing for. Hirevue -> R1 (technicals only) -> technical/behavioral Superday

 

Both offices will likely be on-campus for cali targets for coffee chats / informal r1's in the fall. speak to whoever you can, see which groups you get along with best, and make your choice on which group to recruit for from there. obviously if youre interested in tech its more likely that you'd have a better conversation w ppl in menlo, and the same if you were interested in HC for SF.  Your choice should depend more on what you are personally interested in, exits are more or less similar between the two offices if you work hard enough.

 

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