Struck out on every process...how do I move forward?

Went through three different processes that progressed to superday and had a couple of other first rounds. Not a single one converted. Now I'm sitting here contemplating the last four years of my life having lost every bit of hope, and I'm actually about to crash out of college both academically and literally. And before you say pivot to consulting, I can't even do that because my target school is an absolute non-target shit show in the consulting world. 

What options do I have at this point? I just feel so lost and feeling like I fucked up my life irreparably. 

6 Comments
 

Easier said than done... I can't afford to get another 200k dollar MBA on top of an already 300k dollar investment in my undergrad education. It just literally isn't financially possible. And the lateral market won't get better for years, considering the current administration. If even those already in IBD are having a hard time lateraling, it's guaranteed to be multitudes harder as someone in a non-ib role trying to break in. 

 

Not in banking but my advice for you would be to do some introspection as to why you didn't convert those processes. I'm in consulting and struck out with MBB myself, so I can kind of relate to your feeling. But sitting around moping or crashing out isn't gonna solve anything.

Do some introspection, try to improve on your weaknesses (clearly interviewing/networking was at least part of it if you got superdays), and keep trucking forward. You may not get the sexiest job right out of undergrad (I didn't either), but you have to realize that your professional career is a long-term battle. You're not doomed. 

 

Apply to 1000 jobs, network with Alumni, get 1 interview for every 100 jobs, get 2 offers, choose one. 

"If you always put limits on everything you do, physical or anything else, it will spread into your work and into your life. There are no limits. There are only plateaus, and you must not stay there, you must go beyond them." - Bruce Lee
 

Animi laudantium voluptatibus qui consectetur debitis ipsum. A ea similique nemo ullam et et. Dignissimos quasi sit rerum.

Just say no to consulting

Career Advancement Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.3%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.7%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 98.8%
  • Evercore 01 98.3%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.7%
  • Banco Santander 01 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 98.3%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.7%
  • JPMorgan No 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (15) $434
  • Associates (44) $258
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (13) $156
  • 1st Year Analyst (79) $150
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (73) $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
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
3
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
4
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
5
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
6
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
7
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
8
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
9
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
10
bolo up's picture
bolo up
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...”