Would having no extracurricular activities in college raise a red flag when applying for IB internships?

I'm a freshman at a target school and I'm majoring in Economics. I expect to maintain a GPA of 3.7x-3.8x.

In order to help pay for college I have a part-time job. Unfortunately, between the job and studying I have very little free time.

To answer my question, I know having no extracurriculars would be detrimental to my chances of getting an IB internship.

Therefore, I'd like to know the minimum level of extracurricular participation I would need to check off the box. I don't want to be stretched more thin than I already am.

Would joining the investment club and playing intramural basketball suffice? Something else?

I don't know what constitutes a "good" extracurricular activity. But, I want to make sure I get the most bang for the buck.

Thanks.

(and if anyone says "just do what interests you" then I'd be between investment club, basketball, and photography club)

2 Comments
 

Iure aut at placeat delectus vel illum. Officiis et nobis neque esse in quas. Aut quibusdam culpa libero possimus repudiandae impedit. Dolores unde quas soluta et.

Magnam laudantium consequatur dolores laboriosam aut reiciendis. Ea eveniet voluptas ut cum. Nobis omnis amet voluptatem molestias exercitationem pariatur. Dignissimos unde quis laborum veniam voluptatibus ducimus architecto ab. Ut voluptate natus voluptate exercitationem.

charts
Better Odds of Getting Into Investment Banking With WSO
We help you land the role or you get free tuition.

Career Advancement Opportunities

July 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

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Evercore No 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 01 98.3%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.7%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 98.3%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.7%
  • JPMorgan 01 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (46) $258
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (14) $159
  • 1st Year Analyst (80) $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
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
3
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
4
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
5
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
6
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
7
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
8
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
9
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
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...”