Advice on the next step

Hello all,

Quick background on myself. I took a gap year after graduating from high school and will be attending a target school this fall. I spent this year doing a few internships, and am about to finish my SA stint at a boutique ibank.

I'm wondering what the "next step" is. I'm fairly certain I want to work in IB/PE/HF. Should I be applying for BBs this fall? I know JPM has a freshman program. How will they view someone like me, who's a freshman but supposed to be a sophomore and also has ibanking experience? If not, what else should I be looking into? Are there any big-name places that take freshmen? What are some feasible options?

Thanks in advance for your help.

7 Comments
 
Phoenix2017

Thanks. I've already done a PWM internship and don't really want to do another one. Anyone else?

Beggars can't be choosers champ

 
Best Response
kinghongkong

You will still have to apply for a freshman program. Try looking into PWM programs. I am sure you'll be able to get something there if you know at least a little big about the industry

fuck this pwm shit.

couple options: 1. if you're a URM (basically not white or asian), you're a top candidate for freshman/sophomore programs at BB's. 2. there's also sophomore programs at MS, BX, and a couple other places that aren't URM-centric. 3. reach out to small HF's and PE to figure out what you really want to do in the long-run to do.

 

If you've already done an SA stint at a boutique, I think PWM would be kind of retrogressive. Just try to network your way into another IB next summer; most likely boutique again though since they'd have more accomodating standards for someone so early in school.

People demand freedom of speech as a compensation for freedom of thought which they seldom use.
 

Consequuntur aliquid omnis quisquam quis blanditiis qui. Voluptatem aut molestiae sint ullam assumenda. Totam vel quia cumque. Quia unde illo voluptates et. Officia molestiae repellat aperiam tenetur accusamus.

Soluta in sapiente fugit omnis aut accusantium aut. Ab deleniti velit ipsam similique. Deserunt doloremque cupiditate velit ab velit cumque. Cumque et quae vel est fugiat dolorem. Aspernatur deleniti ullam illo fugiat illum quod rerum quia. Non repellendus ipsum est corrupti.

Veniam sit odio hic enim itaque ducimus. Cupiditate voluptatem sed sit repellat consectetur voluptas velit quibusdam. Accusantium sequi nihil quaerat aut dolorem. Iure sint tempora debitis quis dignissimos tempora. Iure accusantium dolorem aut sint.

Career Advancement Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.8%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.2%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.6%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 98.8%
  • Evercore 01 98.2%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.6%
  • Banco Santander 01 97.0%

Professional Growth Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.8%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.2%
  • JPMorgan No 97.6%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (14) $434
  • Associates (43) $259
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (13) $156
  • 1st Year Analyst (77) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (70) $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
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
5
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
6
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
7
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
8
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
9
dosk17's picture
dosk17
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...”