Got a great offer but feeling disillusioned

I'm a sophomore at a target. A month ago I signed with a BB (BofA/Citi), but I can't help but feel depressed about it. I had two superdays that I blew, one at GS and one at an EB (EVR/PJT/MOE), and I really did think I would convert one of them.

I literally put everything into my recruitment process and seeing the folks from my school who got similar offers to me, I know that I worked harder than them and deserved something better.


Anyone have any advice for how to move past these feelings? Also, how hard is it to re-recruit FT from BofA/Citi to a top BB or EB?

6 Comments
 

that's just life, there's going to be an element of luck throughout the rest of your life no matter how hard you prep, also banking recruiting is notoriously unfair, you're going against 10,000+ kids who have the same pedigree as you, worked hard, have great grades, etc.....it's very difficult to distinguish yourself through interviews when everybody looks so similar so you just have to be happy that you landed at a great bank, the real assessment is when you hit the desk and the quality of work you produce from there

 

Relax. I've worked at a top BB, a mid/low BB and a boutique over the course of my career. There really isn't that much of a difference between the firms you listed. If you get into a top group and work with good people at BAML/Citi you'll be fine, so focus on that. 

And yes, re-recruiting / switching banks is always possible when coming from a BB, but you see it a lot more when there is lots of deal activity. 

 

Quia odio et ea et sint omnis excepturi. Et vel quos qui omnis.

Career Advancement Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.8%
  • 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 98.8%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.3%
  • JPMorgan No 97.7%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (14) $434
  • Associates (44) $258
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (13) $156
  • 1st Year Analyst (78) $151
  • 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
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
4
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
5
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
6
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
7
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
8
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
9
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
10
numi's picture
numi
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...”