SA 2025 - target student with strong academics but no experience
I'm an undergraduate at a target uni (oxbridge), and I've been going through previous years' threads on SA in London. It just seems like I have no shot despite strong academics (5A*s A level, 2:1 in first year - one of my courses I was in the top 3% for) because I don't have any relevant experience.
I wasn't lucky enough to land a spring week (I applied quite late and didn't apply to many, I was just completely spent in the first term of uni with finding my place and 30+ hours/week spent training for two uni sports teams). I did an internship this summer at a search fund, but it was mostly just cold emailing potential clients and I didn't really learn much relevant stuff. I've been working through Rosenbaum, stay up to date with the news, prepare my answers for questions like "why ib" or "why this bank" using the resources available online. But with the number of people applying for SA internships in London, and the number of them that have springs weeks/managed to get relevant experience this summer, all at good unis with solid grades it just feels like I have no shot.
Is there anything I can do other than just apply, putting in as much effort as possible, and hope for the best? I feel like I just messed up before I even got to uni by not being a complete hardo for springs weeks because I didn't realise how important they were
Hey,
Are those two uni sports at an elite level? Often, you can leverage off elite/professional athletic careers to get through - some firms actively seek these people and lower grade boundaries for them as well.
Have you won any case competitions/are you on any academic teams - case, debating, etc.?
They’re not at an elite/professional level. I’ve talked about the experiences that might be helpful from them (teamwork, discipline etc) where possible but it’s not really the same as being a professional in the sport.
I’ve got some relevant academic extracurriculars, such as debating but nothing like case competitions.
I’m not worried about grade boundaries as I think I’m a good enough student on that front. My concern is just that I have 0 experience and pretty much everyone I see applying has multiple spring weeks or an internship in their first year summer (through family connections).
Ah okay - that's good - make sure you have a couple sentences on those transferrable skills from sports on your cover letter.
Make sure you apply to any and all banks you can find. Though, if you're not penultimate (which I think you aren't from your post), you'll be better off spending your time trying to get something like CF at a Big 4 or fund experience.
Ah I am penultimate, I’m on a 3 year course and going into second year next month.
I’d like to avoid doing a masters if possible, it’d be quite expensive and I’m not sure I could afford it.
Cold email and network as much as you can. I know of someone who once got GS with no experience because they literally networked like crazy and prepped like crazy. The fact you're from Oxbridge is good - reach out to alumni and ask for catch ups. Someone knowing you/vouching for you can make all the difference.
Don't feel like you have to go down the Masters path - you can always try to break in laterally.
Best of luck!
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