Does graduation date matter?

Hi everyone I'm a 22 year old undergrad at a non-target school. My current plan is to network, get internships this year, build up my resume, etc. and then I'm planning on trying to apply this summer for SA positions at various banks to get an internship for 2022 the following summer, which I'd complete between graduation and getting an MSF.

Now here's my problem, I took one semester off in the middle of school and my school has a 10 semester limit on how long you can go. That means that my "senior" year graduation would be the Fall 2021, I can't go to Spring 2021 (right before the internship and before the Master's). I don't know if it would look weird that I have that chunk of time there, given how atypical the situation is.

I don't know precisely when most banks interview following the application, but I'm unsure as to whether it would effect my odds of getting the SA position if I graduate in the fall (of 2021), have a semester off before the internship, then do the MSF. Would it be better if I took a semester off now (this Fall) so that my last year is a full year, or do you think it ultimately wouldn't matter?

 

Bump

I'm just wondering if anyone has any advice on what I could do to optimize my odds here, I don't want to do something dumb that could get me auto-screened out or something.

 

Hic iste consectetur eius unde recusandae amet occaecati. Esse temporibus qui assumenda. Unde maxime ullam dolorem neque vitae aut vel qui.

Career Advancement Opportunities

June 2024 Investment Banking

  • Jefferies & Company 02 99.4%
  • Perella Weinberg Partners New 98.9%
  • Lazard Freres 01 98.3%
  • Harris Williams & Co. 24 97.7%
  • Goldman Sachs 16 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

June 2024 Investment Banking

  • Harris Williams & Co. 19 99.4%
  • Lazard Freres 06 98.9%
  • JPMorgan Chase 09 98.3%
  • William Blair 03 97.7%
  • Morgan Stanley 04 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

June 2024 Investment Banking

  • Lazard Freres 01 99.4%
  • Jefferies & Company 02 98.9%
  • Perella Weinberg Partners 18 98.3%
  • Goldman Sachs 16 97.7%
  • Moelis & Company 05 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

June 2024 Investment Banking

  • Director/MD (5) $648
  • Vice President (23) $378
  • Associates (94) $260
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (14) $181
  • Intern/Summer Associate (33) $170
  • 2nd Year Analyst (69) $168
  • 1st Year Analyst (207) $159
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (152) $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

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...”