Need Advice (or Maybe Just a Hard Reality Check) for SA27

Rising sophomore at top target (hypw). 3.9+ GPA. Decided to do a study abroad summer after my freshman year and am now starting to wonder how bad the resume gap will look since I didn’t do an internship summer after freshman year. Have already begun networking with family connections who’ve essentially told me that I should be able to get an internship in something HF-related through them for sophomore summer. What should I do (besides, correct me if I’m wrong, network extra early and start reviewing technicals) to compensate for studying abroad in a language program unrelated to finance in order to have a shot at SA27? For reference I’d be more than happy to take an MM offer if I don’t land any BBs or EBs (though I’ll fs still apply for those). I seriously don’t care if it’s one of the top banks; I’d be thrilled just to land one decent firm. 


 


 

4 Comments
 

you're going to be fine, still in a way better spot with a good GPA at a top target than at least 90% of other applicants for the roles you're looking at. school usually matters more than anything else on your resume. get involved with the typical finance/banking extracurriculars on campus in addition to what you're already doing and you'll be ok. not like you wanked it at home for a summer - you were still studying and becoming a more well-rounded student. banks won't ding you for that. 

 

actually, i disagree that it'll hinder you at all tbh, study abroad can be a great talking point in interviews + shows you have a personality, and they know you were just a freshman. just get a sophomore gig and let them know that during recruiting. if you want something you can do rn to compensate for studying abroad is join finance clubs/student investment funds/or do ib/vc/pe competitions to show interest and/or tangible skills + will be another talking point in interviews (VCIC and NIBC are good ones available to college students).

 
Most Helpful

Just have a good story. Assuming the HF you work at sophomore summer is called "XYZ," say something like "I was skeptical about doing my summer abroad program because I had also become connected to XYZ and was offered a chance to work there, but after meeting a partner/founder for coffee he/she encouraged me to go abroad and do the internship next summer, so that's what I did." That's clear, makes sense, and shows you were proactive in going after opportunities as a freshman, but chose to use your one free summer to pursue something you liked. 

 

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