I Need Advice

I need advice...

I didn't really know I wanted to go into Investment Banking until my senior year, originally wanted to do traditional asset management. I had no idea how important it was to have internships every single summer starting your freshman year, but now, I am about to graduate and feel stuck and really don't want to do anything but IB. I just don't think I'll be able to break in to even a regional boutique. I went to a small state school 3.4 GPA with a 4.0 in my Finance classes, joined Investment club and got into the student managed investment fund where we managed part of the endowment (this is really only one of two experiences I have). I know I am a smart guy, and truly think I would do great in Investment Banking. I got an internship in Lower MM IB (pretty small deals, not super competitive) but I really love M&A and have toned my modeling skills through courses trying to get marketable through hard skills, but just seriously doubt a firm will take a chance on me. It just feels like firms don't want to have analysts on their team with my school as education. I know I'm young and don't want to quit but I just don't know what to do. I feel as if my only option is to go to grad school, but taking out a loan doesn't sound nice at all plus I'm not sure how well I would do on a GMAT or GRE as I am not a great standardized test taker. Long story short, I know I would be a great analyst. I understand the industry and genuinely want to work in banking, but just don't think I'll get a shot because of how much more competitive everyone else is compared to me. Does anyone have any advice? I'm coming up on graduation and am getting anxious as to my future in the next few months. I don't want to sound pathetic here (lol) I am a super motivated person and just looking for advice on how to process this type of stuff. 

2 Comments
 

I would just start applying to every bank. Literally make a spreadsheet of all the top global banks and work your way down to no name boutiques in your hometown. And just apply and send personalized cover letters to each and every one.

If you get into a good bank, that’s great.

And if you only get into a crappy bank, that’s fine. Just work hard for 6 months and then start applying to the top firms again for 1st year analyst positions.

Banking is hard to break into if you go to a crappy school, but not impossible.

 

Error laborum mollitia sit natus a. Ut quia alias architecto dolores necessitatibus ut. Autem nesciunt veniam aut consequatur numquam.

Career Advancement Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.8%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.2%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.7%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 01 98.8%
  • Evercore 01 98.2%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.6%
  • Banco Santander 01 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Evercore No 98.8%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.2%
  • JPMorgan No 97.7%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (14) $434
  • Associates (43) $259
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (13) $156
  • 1st Year Analyst (75) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (65) $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
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
6
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
7
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
8
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
9
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
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...”