Sophomore IB SA 2027 Recruiting Advice

I’m a sophomore finance major coming from a non-target. I have yet to land my Summer Analyst 2027 IB internship. I started networking back in September of 2025 but don’t think I utilized the network to the best of my abilities. I think that I failed in asking everyone to speak with mor people after which was a fault of my own. Additionally, when it came time for applications in December I think I was too late (eg. if an application opened on a day I may have submitted it 4,5, or 6 days after it opened). That is another fault of my own. However, I know that the recruiting cycle is not yet over.

1. Any advice on how to move forward and land something as we’ve crossed the halfway point in the cycle would be very helpful.

This is where my situation gets interesting. I went to a private high school with very strong and connected alumni. I hadn’t fully utilized the network until recently. However, I am utilizing it now and getting chats setup with some very senior bankers at reputable firms. My thoughts process is “the best time to plant a tree was 100 years ago; the second best time is now.”

Question 2: As these calls with senior bankers are filling my calendar starting this week and moving forward, how should I go about them. My thoughts process process is to hop on the call asking to learn about their career, try to show who I am, what I know, and where I am at in recruiting, and put the ball in their court. If an ad hoc internship comes from it then great. If no internship comes from it, I will still have industry veterans in my network who could be tremendous help at random points in my career. My main thought and question right now is that if I am connecting with very senior bankers at a bank who’s 2027 SA recruitment process has already moved forward, should I just approach the call as establishing a connection and learning and not focus even minutely on working at the firm?

Regardless of the responses I get on here, I am going to continue establishing these connections as I realize that only good things can come from it. However, I do want input on the reality and possibility (if it’s there) of getting the 2027 summer analyst position out of making these connections and chatting. Your responses and help will affect how I approach these calls so any advice is appreciated.