Delaying Graduation for IB / Internships

I'm currently a junior, decided on investment banking over consulting early this fall so I was obviously too late to recruit for those. I go to a semi target in Texas, 3.7 Finance major. I got an internship offer for Corporate Banking for summer 2024, but truly had my hopes set on doing IB.

Wasn't able to get a boutique position as I was too late and saw people said I could delay my graduation by a semester. I'm thinking of graduating December 2025 rather than May 2025 and recruiting again this upcoming cycle. I'll also be adding a minor in statistics to my degree to add some technical skills and give me a reason to stay behind. If I can get an ib internship then I would delay my graduation, but if I cannot then I would stay on track to graduate in May 2025. Is it worth it to delay to rerecruit or should I take my chances in corporate banking and try to recruit full time? If I do decide to delay should I apply to some sophomore ib internships for next summer over the corporate banking even if I already applied to all the big banks for junior year internships? Feeling very lost and would appreciate any advice.

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Did you participate in recruiting at all last year, or did you just recently decide on IB?

Going back through the contacts you've already tried with is not usually the most successful, but if you missed the entire recruiting season and are essentially starting fresh that's a different story. 

If the money isn't an issue I would delay the semester, it's not that uncommon. You can also start FT early so you're not too far behind your class, and are way ahead for oncycle. Corp banking SA -> IB FT is doable in a strong market, but it takes some luck and in a market like this year it'd be very challenging.

I also would consider adding an easier minor as your GPA is already good not but great, no need to have hard math classes bringing it down. I would not renege on the corp banking job (assume it's BB) that's a very strong internship. Just be careful and probably don't recruit for SA 2025 at that bank (also don't tell them at all that you extended graduation, even during the internship) as they will know the dates don't work.

 

I’m not planning to re recruit at the bank but I sent out apps to all the banks I possibly could in the fall. I realized later those positions were already filled and they just kept the applications open. Can I still apply again with my graduation date changed and what if I want to recruit for sophomore sa positions. Can I send in apps to the banks I previously applied to as a junior or would I get auto rejected? And are those positions even still taking analysts or is it another open position that’s been filled?

 

Are you talking about 2024 spots? SA 2025 is just starting now, it'll kick off in earnest around Jan/Feb. You should mostly be networking now, applying is good but it is basically a black hole and you need to be sending hundreds of networking emails and getting people on the phone rather than just sending in apps. It won't have mattered that you applied in a prior cycle, that doesn't factor in.

Sophomore SA is long filled, also I think they are pretty stringent with these as I've never seen a "super sophomore" who extended grad land one of these. Hold onto your current spot as you have a long road ahead of you for junior year internships.

 

considering delaying graduation by a semester and pursue a minor. Would I have to be considered a sophomore to get looks? Or does delaying grad by a semester to December 2025 work fine? Just trying to figure out the safest and best way to make sure I am successful

 

I did this for the sake of more experience to get an extra internship. You might be asked about it but I doubt anyone genuinely cares if you take a 5th year. Things happen and people are usually understanding with this. Just nail your technicals

Intern123321
 

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