Research: Does MA thesis matter?

Hi all,

I'm plotting my summer. Feel free to stab at anything below.

I applied for every SA position under the sun (yes, I know, I should be more specific next time) after being relatively late in the game in terms of deadlines for research positions. So, After a final interview for a BB IBD (is it common not to hear back at all after a final interview? it's been nearly two weeks since my last round), I decided I may do better specializing and getting my MA thesis out of the way instead of interning.

I know nobody's gonna have a whole lot of time to read a 75 page MA thesis, but when interviewing for research (in my case, fixed income research) positions, how can this play a role in my candidacy? By the way I'm looking for a BB FI or currency research role, but middle market firms are cool too.

Also, since I'm getting a degree in int'l econ, should I pad things up by studying for the CFA level 1 exam? What kind of folks am I competing with here?

The way I look at is that instead of doing a training program for something that I'm not sure about, I can specialize and conquer a FT role in the fall.

3 Comments
 
Best Response
huaerjielvzhouHi all,

I'm plotting my summer. Feel free to stab at anything below.

I applied for every SA position under the sun (yes, I know, I should be more specific next time) after being relatively late in the game in terms of deadlines for research positions. So, After a final interview for a BB IBD (is it common not to hear back at all after a final interview? it's been nearly two weeks since my last round), I decided I may do better specializing and getting my MA thesis out of the way instead of interning.

I know nobody's gonna have a whole lot of time to read a 75 page MA thesis, but when interviewing for research (in my case, fixed income research) positions, how can this play a role in my candidacy? By the way I'm looking for a BB FI or currency research role, but middle market firms are cool too.

Also, since I'm getting a degree in int'l econ, should I pad things up by studying for the CFA level 1 exam? What kind of folks am I competing with here?

The way I look at is that instead of doing a training program for something that I'm not sure about, I can specialize and conquer a FT role in the fall.

WHO THE FUCK WRITES A 75 PAGE MASTERS THESIS?????

EPIC FAIL

 
Affirmative_Action_Walrus
huaerjielvzhouHi all,

I'm plotting my summer. Feel free to stab at anything below.

I applied for every SA position under the sun (yes, I know, I should be more specific next time) after being relatively late in the game in terms of deadlines for research positions. So, After a final interview for a BB IBD (is it common not to hear back at all after a final interview? it's been nearly two weeks since my last round), I decided I may do better specializing and getting my MA thesis out of the way instead of interning.

I know nobody's gonna have a whole lot of time to read a 75 page MA thesis, but when interviewing for research (in my case, fixed income research) positions, how can this play a role in my candidacy? By the way I'm looking for a BB FI or currency research role, but middle market firms are cool too.

Also, since I'm getting a degree in int'l econ, should I pad things up by studying for the CFA level 1 exam? What kind of folks am I competing with here?

The way I look at is that instead of doing a training program for something that I'm not sure about, I can specialize and conquer a FT role in the fall.

WHO THE FUCK WRITES A 75 PAGE MASTERS THESIS?????

EPIC FAIL

Umm..... just about every one ?

 

Voluptatem atque laboriosam sint dolor. Et aut saepe commodi alias molestias. Suscipit enim optio quos perferendis est non enim. Facilis qui ab iste porro nostrum. Enim sed dolores pariatur aliquam eum in.

Facere placeat et et repellendus delectus veniam. Aliquam hic et aut quaerat. Ullam animi nobis reiciendis illo et doloribus. Et id beatae eos doloribus.

Laboriosam omnis modi quia consequuntur accusamus labore. Porro quibusdam eius repellat sit distinctio quae praesentium. Deserunt earum neque dolorum mollitia deleniti voluptates.

Non sint sunt est. Quae earum consequatur pariatur eum amet.

Men will not always die quietly.

Career Advancement Opportunities

July 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

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Evercore No 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 01 98.3%
  • BMO Capital Markets 13 97.7%
  • Banco Santander 01 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 98.3%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.7%
  • JPMorgan 01 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (46) $258
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (14) $159
  • 1st Year Analyst (80) $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
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
3
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
4
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
5
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
6
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
7
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
8
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
9
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
10
Mimbs's picture
Mimbs
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...”