9 Comments
 

Depends where you are, what firm etc - but often hundreds apply for a single open spot (at least that's the case in Australia).

In 2013 (I believe) GS said it had 17,000 applications for 350 intern spots (if I recall correctly). Not sure if IB only but I'm guessing it was. This is US btw.

 

Wow dude, I think I can bring our pieces together.

Goldman Sachs is regarded as the top investment bank on paper. So, everybody in the investment banking hopeful population (17,000) are going to apply there. Then Vettery, said the investment banking analyst class of 2012 had 1,400 analyst. That means there are 17,000 applicants and only 1,400 of them get jobs. Wow.

 

When I was recruited, and this is post-GFC, HR told us they had >10,000 applications online for the grad program and had only extended ~300 invites to the cocktail party which was essentially the second round interview stage. Think we ended up with less than 25 grads in IB roles, probably 20-30 in retail and another 50 in back office. Most of the IB roles went to kids who had already done internships. It really is a giant fucking lottery and I'm sure it's even worse in the states..

 

No, you misunderstood.

Goldman Sachs is the top investment bank so everybody who wants an investment banking job will definitely apply their. Notthehospitaler said that 17,000 applied.

Then Vettery said the entire investment banking class of 2012 (GSM, JPM, Lazards, the bank across the street, etc.) was 1,400.

 
Best Response

This is incorrect. People don't all apply to GS because many know they have no shot. Vettery (I'm pretty sure) also hasn't included all the IB boutiques etc out there in their calculations.

Applications for IB will be greater than 17000 for sure, but assuming there are also more than 1400 spots. Keep in mind Vettery may take IB to include capital markets, S&T etc as well - meaning the actual IB spots are far fewer than 1400.

@"diverse_kanga" based on what I've heard/read, I actually think IB is more competitive in Australia, purely from a numbers perspective.

 

Odio non atque eaque placeat placeat iusto doloribus tempora. Unde repellat nihil pariatur consequatur fugit. Non illo nulla facere facilis. Quasi quia molestias vel veritatis quibusdam nam aut reprehenderit. In fuga qui sed voluptas animi ad voluptatem. Dolor id et occaecati sunt.

Quo ducimus repellendus aliquid quibusdam soluta vel in. Vel numquam qui vitae repellat et quia quibusdam et. Fuga molestiae libero vitae. Exercitationem recusandae sit ut.

Career Advancement Opportunities

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.9%
  • Goldman Sachs 02 97.4%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.5%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 98.9%
  • Evercore 01 98.4%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.9%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.4%

Professional Growth Opportunities

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.9%
  • JPMorgan No 97.4%

Total Avg Compensation

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (55) $261
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (28) $184
  • Intern/Summer Associate (16) $161
  • 1st Year Analyst (84) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (76) $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
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
3
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
4
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
5
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
6
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
7
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
8
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
9
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
10
bolo up's picture
bolo up
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...”