Reference Letter for Summer Analyst Recruiting?

I am currently a rising junior interning in equity research at a boutique firm. I’m aiming for a SA position at a coverage/product group at a BB/Larger MM bank for next summer. From those of you who have gone through the IBD Summer Analyst recruiting process at BBs/MMs, were you ever asked to provide a reference letter written by your advisor at a previous internship? I’m only asking because it would be better if I ask my boss earlier (she/he is often very preoccupied with work and I would prefer to not be a nuisance).

My boss and I get along very well so I’m sure I could get a good reference letter, but it would be less of a headache to know if I should prepare to ask for one at the end of my internship as oppose to in the midst of junior SA recruiting.

(also used the search function to find answers and came up with dirt)

Thanks in advance.

3 Comments
 

As an interviewer of summer interns, grads and lateral hires, I don't want to see any reference letters. I already disregard cover letters and only look at the resume.

Those who can, do. Those who can't, post threads about how to do it on WSO.
 

Possimus est amet saepe blanditiis consequuntur. Modi sint iure ut dolore quasi excepturi. Debitis rem omnis est laudantium. Consequatur aut minus quis est quia. Dolorum vel qui unde asperiores qui et. Aut suscipit a soluta.

Ut maiores cumque esse laudantium tempora nihil commodi. Voluptas assumenda rerum sint earum sapiente labore sit corrupti. Consectetur aut consequatur qui ab saepe accusantium non in. Repellat distinctio modi voluptas quod vel quis quia. Nobis culpa corrupti ut ex voluptatum iure voluptatem.

Quibusdam vero veniam qui reiciendis eius facere expedita. Ut provident vitae id rerum odio incidunt. Provident autem consectetur enim ut. Enim omnis vero sequi cum.

Itaque mollitia maxime dolorem laborum. Voluptas iste necessitatibus et ut enim excepturi. Quia id officiis odio excepturi. Omnis non rerum esse repudiandae temporibus repellat deleniti. Sint aut nihil veritatis quia. Unde blanditiis voluptatem vel.

Career Advancement Opportunities

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.3%
  • Morgan Stanley 08 97.8%
  • Goldman Sachs 02 97.2%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Evercore No 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 01 98.3%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.8%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.2%

Professional Growth Opportunities

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 98.3%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.8%
  • JPMorgan 01 97.2%

Total Avg Compensation

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (48) $259
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (25) $178
  • Intern/Summer Associate (14) $159
  • 1st Year Analyst (83) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (75) $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
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
3
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
4
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
5
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
6
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
7
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
8
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
9
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
10
Linda Abraham's picture
Linda Abraham
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...”