How Would a Gap Semester Affect Recruiting Next Summer?

I can't be alone on this one. I'm a rising junior at a target school that is not bringing many students back to campus in the fall and is having entirely virtual classes. I don't have any offers for next summer in hand (got some superdays in spring/summer but kinda slacked on networking and interview prep and wasn't committed enough to banking if I'm being honest). A few banks, a bunch more buyside shops, and all the consulting firms are all still interviewing at my school or will start to interview over the next couple of months.

I'd strongly prefer to take a gap semester (possibly year) because most of my close friends are doing so, I have some cool opportunities lined up to do (not necessarily finance), and I want to get as much of a normal college experience as possible. However, I'm worried some recruiters and interviewers might frown upon it next recruiting season, mostly because I took a gap year before college as well (it wasn't a rich kid "find yourself" kinda thing--I had a few cool internships and only traveled a little bit). I was going to reach out to my school's career center to get their thoughts, but I honestly thought you beauties might be able to offer more help. 

And so...I present to you...my first ever post on WSO.

4 Comments
 

Aye same!!! Gap year clubbbb. And I caddie so I talk to a ton of men in finance/IB: they all applaud me for my decision and have helped me tremendously. My advice is just own your decision. I’m working for my university’s endowment so I have some work experience while away from school.

 

I don't think its wise to graduate in December as you miss some recruiting opportunities and have some differences of being out of the normal cycle, so would recommend no gap at all or a full gap year. 

Cheers -

"If you always put limits on everything you do, physical or anything else, it will spread into your work and into your life. There are no limits. There are only plateaus, and you must not stay there, you must go beyond them." - Bruce Lee
 

Vel commodi eaque officia sunt amet consectetur et. Reprehenderit optio amet voluptatibus voluptatem.

Facilis optio ab incidunt officia. Sint ut dolorum odit. Sunt placeat voluptatem qui voluptatem recusandae. Saepe et accusamus quaerat corrupti.

Labore aliquid occaecati et sit eaque hic rerum. Velit molestias pariatur et et accusamus vel iste.

Consequatur reprehenderit odio voluptas. Nostrum odio maiores blanditiis vitae vero. Eum quidem consequatur impedit.

Career Advancement Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • 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 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 98.3%
  • JPMorgan 01 97.7%
  • Goldman Sachs 02 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 (79) $150
  • 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
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
4
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
5
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
6
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
7
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
8
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
9
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
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...”