SA26 - Better off delaying grad for SA27?
Context on myself: Target School (Dart/UChic/Duke types), 3.8 GPA, Strong resume (clubs, multiple internships, etc.), International student, Super interested in Biopharma/Healthcare
Recruiting this cycle did not go as planned. Mainly targeted Top/Mid-tier BBs, EBs, some MMs. 70-something chats all-in and was very networked into some offices I wanted (about 30/70 were through internal referrals).
Did not get interviews at most places, had a superday a couple days ago with a japanese BB, but did not hear back. I have a few options still left over (SocGen, DB, Nomura, etc.). I have good contacts at Lazard as well, but can only get that through accelerating.
If I strike out, which seems likely, should I target smaller banks, or just delay grad and do recruiting again as a sophomore? Consulting is possible but I do genuinely like healthcare banking. Confused about what to do right now.
I could use some advice/opinions if you guys have any. Thanks sm
Based on the most helpful WSO content, delaying graduation to re-enter the recruiting cycle can be a strategic move, especially if you are targeting a specific niche like healthcare banking and have a strong academic and extracurricular profile. Here are some key considerations:
Delaying Graduation for SA27:
Targeting Smaller Banks:
Interim Steps:
Cost-Benefit Analysis:
Consulting as a Backup:
In summary, delaying graduation for SA27 could be a smart move given your strong profile and specific interest in healthcare banking. However, if you decide not to delay, targeting smaller banks or healthcare-focused roles can still keep you on track for your long-term goals.
Sources: Missed SA 2019 recruiting - delay graduation for SA 2020?, Banks Sponsoring International Students - 2023 SA, GPA drop after accepting SA offer and need to send an updated resume . Need your advice!!!!, How to Approach 2020 SA Recruiting as a Junior Transfer to a Target, What to do as a rising senior at a non-target with no IB experience
Del
OP Here — can you be a bit more specific about which banks? Also I’ve heard about people doing this so I don’t think it’s an auto ding.
Can’t I also just get around this by making a new account?
I feel like delaying graduation is starting to be seen as a red flag
But I’ve seen a bunch of people do it successfully this cycle so
Any reason why you think it’s starting to be seen as red flag?
This is just not true bro
Which part isn’t true? That it’s a red flag or that people land offers doing this
bump
Isn’t Nomura already done
I think delaying grad mostly makes sense for people who missed the recruiting cycle or had some tangible reason it didn't work out that they can clearly fix next year (i.e. no experience/internships and can get one in the next year)
It sounds like you were strong on paper and for the most part got auto-dinged for needing sponsorship
Realistically most top BBs don't sponsor anymore, or they maybe have 2-3 international students per class who are special circumstances (LatAm sometimes gets more latitude to sponsor, for example). I don't think anything in your situation is going to change next year; visas are probably not going to be expanded under the current administration. I would focus on the smaller banks and try to land what you can this year.
Please refrain from spreading misinformation. GS, MS, BofA, DB, and Citi all sponsor, as well as Moelis, Evercore, and PJT. There are also quite a few middle market firms and Nomura type balance sheet banks that sponsor. OP will have at least 20 banks that take international students to recruit from. The real concern is the viability of OP understanding what went wrong and actually fixing the problems.
I work at one of those firms and we have a firm rule from HR that we do not sponsor.
Associate 1 is generally right, although I'll say that MS is stingier with sponsorship, rumors about DB not sponsoring this year have come out, and Moelis and PJT don't seem to be sponsoring either (or at least very rare). JPM does sponsor though which is another big one.
Hi -- OP here,
Thanks for your comment, and yes, I think there are a bunch of banks that sponsor and I was networked into but still didn't get interviews for.
As for what went wrong, I guess it came down to picking between me and someone else. Or maybe someone I talked to didn't like me (but I'd say this is unlikely due to how many times I was pushed around internally).
If I don't get IB this cycle, I'll do consulting ig lol, but in case I decide to reclass and do IB next cycle, do you think it's better to:
Would love your input as well as Associate 3's. Thanks again
DB seems like it is case by case now. People from my school who interviewed this year were asked if they needed sponsorship.
did you suck at speaking over the phone?
Not at all imo. Ofc there are some people I wouldn’t get along as well with but most were chill. Over 30 of my calls were thru internal referrals so I’d say I was doing something right
damn did you try to hit the 5 and more at the banks you wanted?
also matters a lot if you spoke with alum who would pull you, from my experience, as a similar semi-target/target only alum on recruitment team would help push me
but i think you should delay graduation by a year, start casing right now for mbb recruitment in the summer, use that as your “sophomore” summer and then recruit again (or even go for the bb sophomore summers catered towards diversity cause now you’re a 2028 grad)
try to pin down what went wrong this year and do better the next cycle, also in interviews don’t tell anyone you’re on a 5 year graduation plan because it looks “bad” just tell them you graduate 2028 and is a current sophomore
also apply to everything under the sun, including those 10B PE firms and less prestigious banks, you can’t be picky, should submit at least 80 apps
once you land offer you can still graduate 2027 and fuck around for a year or ask if you can start directly after internship (i’ve seen this done before)
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