How Many Banks Should I apply to?

Sophomore looking to apply for junior year internship here. In reality, how many banks should I network for and apply to? I don't want to spread myself too thin, but would only applying to BBs be too risky? (At a target right now, have finance internship experience)

13 Comments
 

Network with the banks that recruit at your school, as well as the banks where your alumni are most concentrated. If you want to cast a wide net, network with 2-3 people (doesn’t necessarily have to be alumni) at other banks. The more conversations you have, the more comfortable you’ll be in interviews so it doesn’t hurt you to do a little bit more networking. You’re at a target, so I would hit the EB/BB/MM that recruit at your school, as well as a couple BB/MM that might not recruit on campus.

 

Apply to as many places as you can, without this impeding on the quality of your application. I've made the mistake of applying to ALL and EVERY place, this isn't good. You've got a far better chance if you're well researched about few banks specifically and show you want THEM. I'd also recommend mixing BB and other banks, if this suits you and your plans/preferences.

 
Most Helpful

I would apply to as many places as you can effectively network with and places you’d be ok working at, better to cast a wide net. Even if you’re at a target, there are plenty of Tier 2 and 3 banks that may be on your list, but you very well might not get even an interview with them if they don’t recruit on campus.

The applications are pretty much the same for everyone, same resume, few firms requiring a cover letter. Apart from info sessions (which are unlikely to happen in person this year), networking isn’t all that time consuming. We’re talking about speaking to 2-4 people per bank for 30 mins each over the course of almost a year.

 

Adipisci ipsa est explicabo ullam vel. Enim quia labore ab rerum quam rem. Voluptatem et non doloremque. Voluptas dolorem repellendus architecto incidunt autem. Tempora nemo ad tempora quia iure aut aut.

Career Advancement Opportunities

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 08 97.8%
  • Goldman Sachs 02 97.3%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.5%
  • Evercore No 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 01 98.4%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.8%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.3%

Professional Growth Opportunities

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.8%
  • JPMorgan No 97.3%

Total Avg Compensation

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (50) $259
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (25) $178
  • Intern/Summer Associate (14) $159
  • 1st Year Analyst (84) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (75) $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
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
7
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
8
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
9
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
10
Jamoldo's picture
Jamoldo
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...”