MS Menlo/GS SF vs Vista PE vs Top EB (EVR/PJT/CVP)

Really fortunate to have received offers/last rounds for SA for the three options topic suggests. I really cannot appreciate the WSO community enough for the help everyone has provided.

In the long term, I want to stay close to tech, whether through tech investing or other opportunities after my analyst stint. I might not want to stay in finance forever, so brand name with top BB could help, but I understand WLB is probably better at Vista compared to tech banking shops. That said, the EB M&A gig is in NY, where people have told me is a better place to start my career. Curious to hear your thoughts.

4 Comments
 
Most Helpful

I’m only a lowly intern so take this with a grain of salt, but here’s my perspective:

MS/GS SF: Best option if you want to pursue  VC, GE, or Corp Dev/Strat on the West Coast. Top VCs and GE shops that hire bankers (e.g. Accel, IVP) only hire out of here and Qatalyst. This will probably preserve the most optionality for you within tech.

Vista: Best option if you know you want to build a career in tech PE. You will get good experience cutting SaaS data and will be eligible for direct promotion to associate. 
 

NYC EB: Best option if you want to go into Buyout PE, Distressed, or Special Sits. Best proximity to headhunters. Can still exit similarly to doing GS/MS SF, but will likely be better for non-tech related roles.

Ultimately, you can’t go wrong here. Congrats!

 

MS/GS is safest given your interest in tech. A lot of folks would recommend Vista, but having a large Analyst class size in banking and building out that network early could do wonders in your future tech career. Not too sure on Vista Analyst class sizes, but I’m assuming pretty small, also they would be in Texas?!? Location wise for tech, still MS/GS. If tech buyout is 100% what you want, then Vista is more of a consideration but it just seems like you want in be in tech in general, no need to quickly jump to buyout. Just my take.

 

Quasi porro exercitationem quasi neque id et. Quisquam neque ipsa quas et illo. Iure quis voluptatem fuga. Tempore rerum amet odit soluta sit officiis qui doloribus. Ipsa velit fugit vitae non nihil facere.

Autem voluptatibus illum qui doloribus sit enim maiores. Iste ad soluta sit laborum. Dolorem nostrum sit error repellat accusamus optio. Consequuntur possimus eos et nobis error animi assumenda.

Optio quia tenetur harum nihil voluptatem molestiae. Accusamus repellat alias necessitatibus. Sed cum omnis accusantium distinctio illum ipsum asperiores.

Career Advancement Opportunities

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.3%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.7%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 98.8%
  • Evercore 01 98.3%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.7%
  • Banco Santander 01 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 98.3%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.7%
  • JPMorgan No 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (15) $434
  • Associates (45) $258
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (13) $156
  • 1st Year Analyst (79) $150
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (73) $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

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
3
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
4
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
5
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
6
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
7
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
8
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
9
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
10
bolo up's picture
bolo up
98.8
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...”