No return offer from top BB - What Next?

I wouldn’t discount the experience you got. Aim for anywhere that is hiring, regardless of “prestige level”. Just need to be able to answer the inevitable question of why you didn’t get the return offer.

Currently recruiting without a return from a BB/EB. I would say so far people don't seem to care as much as I thought if I handle myself well during the interview, some interviewers have not even asked me about my return status. The fears about kids with no returns are a lack of technical competency and/or being a horrible person, both of which you can address in the interview. EBs are mostly out of the picture because they seem to be mostly done, but BBs are still definitely possible and MMs are doing lots of hiring. Keep your head up and get grinding.

Let’s be clear—no one is not getting an offer as an intern due to a lack of technical competency. People don’t get an offer for 3 reasons:

1) you had an attitude problem

2) you were non responsive 

3) you made errors chronically

Most these could be explained away by addressing it as a learning experience. I.e. “Candidly, I made some errors early in the summer that I never recovered from. I could get a reference for people I worked with later in the summer who said I did good work, but my performance early built a reputation that was hard to recover from”

”the easiest answer can also be: it was a poor culture fit (everyone was an asshole at the place you worked)”

i wouldn't rule out any banks specifically since each of them would take you not getting a return differently, though it is generally viewed negatively. in all of the FT interviews i've had so far, the interviewers have asked if i got a return. i would just spin it in terms of culture/fit