Roast my cover letter (or provide useful advice)

Hello, about to apply to the analyst programme at JPM

Please provide any feedback you would like to on it.

Thanks in advance for your help. 

Btw, I went to university in Ireland/UK so, 77% is an unheard of grade. Like getting 100%.

Dear Hiring Committee,

I am writing to express my interest in the Investment Banking Analyst Program at JP Morgan.

I hold a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Redacted where I achieved first place in my class of Redacted students. During my time at Redacted, I developed a strong foundation in statistical analysis, econometrics, and financial modelling. I gained technical skills via applied mathematical projects using Excel, Stata, and R. In my investment analysis class where I completed projects on equity analysis, and financial modelling, I received the highest grade in the cohort: 77%. In January 2025, I will graduate with an MSc in Philosophy from Redacted. At Redacted I have achieved a first-class honours grade in every module. Outside the School of Philosophy, I have completed courses on Quantitative Finance, and Machine Learning, in addition to Risk. My MSc dissertation, entitled “Redacted”, examines tools for financial risk assessment, in particular, VaR Models and the conditions under which they are well suited to assessing particular types of risk. Currently, as I apply for positions in Investment Banking, I am pursuing my FRM to keep my technical skills sharp.

At present I am waiting to start my Traineeship in [prestigious European financial institution], which begins on October 1st. I will be working in Redacted, doing Redacted on the basis of changes to financial regulatory policy stemming from the imminent adoption of Basel III in Europe. Previously, I have held sales, management, and consulting roles with a number of firms, including in the US. I have been working since I turned 18, often in teams,  and have received multiple awards and promotions for my communications prowess.

I want to work as an Analyst at JP Morgan because I am excited at the prospect of a technically skilled role, that allows me to apply both my communication skills, and my analytical abilities, within a financial market’s context. I have spoken to members on the team at JP Morgan in Investment Banking (NY), and I understand the work. I know that I can add value. I have tested myself by reading Share Purchase Agreements and attempting to identify risks. I have built comparable company analysis models using Excel, to value expansion opportunities, during my time at Redacted. I have managed a full-time job and full-time MSc at the Redacted, simultaneously. During this time, I worked ~80 hours per week for 4 months, and I excelled. I received firsts in all my classes, and I got a promotion at work. I was able to do this, because I am meticulous in everything that I apply myself to, and I have rigorous attention to detail and organisational skills. I hope to be able to bring this skillset to JP Morgan.

Thank you for considering my application. I look forward to discussing how my skillset aligns with the requirements for this position.

Kind regards,

3 Comments
 

Based on the most helpful WSO content, here are some detailed suggestions to improve your cover letter for the Investment Banking Analyst Program at JP Morgan:

Structure and Formatting

  1. Introduction:

    • Your introduction is clear but could be more engaging. Mentioning a specific reason why you are passionate about JP Morgan can make it more compelling.
  2. Body:

    • Academic Achievements:
      • Highlight your academic achievements succinctly. Mentioning the 77% grade is good, but ensure it’s clear why this is impressive.
    • Technical Skills:
      • Emphasize your technical skills and how they are relevant to the role. Mention specific projects or experiences that demonstrate these skills.
    • Professional Experience:
      • Detail your professional experience, focusing on roles that are most relevant to investment banking. Highlight any achievements or responsibilities that showcase your skills.
    • Motivation and Fit:
      • Clearly articulate why you want to work at JP Morgan and how your skills and experiences make you a good fit. Mention any networking or informational interviews you’ve had with current employees.
  3. Conclusion:

    • Your conclusion should reiterate your enthusiasm for the role and your readiness to contribute to JP Morgan. Thank the reader for their time and consideration.

Detailed Feedback

  1. Introduction:

    • Current: "I am writing to express my interest in the Investment Banking Analyst Program at JP Morgan."
    • Suggested: "I am excited to apply for the Investment Banking Analyst Program at JP Morgan, a firm renowned for its leadership in the financial industry and commitment to innovation."
  2. Academic Achievements:

    • Current: "I hold a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Redacted where I achieved first place in my class of Redacted students."
    • Suggested: "I graduated top of my class with a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Redacted, achieving a remarkable 77%, a grade equivalent to 100% in the UK/Ireland system."
  3. Technical Skills:

    • Current: "I developed a strong foundation in statistical analysis, econometrics, and financial modelling."
    • Suggested: "I have a robust foundation in statistical analysis, econometrics, and financial modelling, honed through applied projects using Excel, Stata, and R. My equity analysis and financial modelling projects in my investment analysis class earned me the highest grade in my cohort."
  4. Professional Experience:

    • Current: "At present I am waiting to start my Traineeship in [prestigious European financial institution], which begins on October 1st."
    • Suggested: "I am set to begin a Traineeship at [prestigious European financial institution] on October 1st, where I will work on financial regulatory policy changes related to Basel III adoption in Europe."
  5. Motivation and Fit:

    • Current: "I want to work as an Analyst at JP Morgan because I am excited at the prospect of a technically skilled role..."
    • Suggested: "I am eager to join JP Morgan as an Analyst because it offers a unique opportunity to leverage my technical and communication skills in a dynamic financial markets context. Conversations with JP Morgan's Investment Banking team in NY have deepened my understanding of the role and affirmed my belief that I can add significant value."
  6. Conclusion:

    • Current: "Thank you for considering my application. I look forward to discussing how my skillset aligns with the requirements for this position."
    • Suggested: "Thank you for considering my application. I am enthusiastic about the opportunity to discuss how my skills and experiences align with the needs of JP Morgan's Investment Banking team."

Additional Tips

  • Proofreading: Ensure there are no grammatical errors or formatting issues. Investment bankers value attention to detail.
  • Specificity: Where possible, replace "Redacted" with specific names or details to make your application more personal and credible.
  • Quantify Achievements: Use numbers to quantify your achievements and responsibilities, making your accomplishments more tangible.

By refining your cover letter with these suggestions, you can present a more compelling and polished application to JP Morgan. Good luck!

Sources: Cover Letter + Resume Advice, 2019 Investment Banking Analyst Program - JP Morgan, CV Review - please rip my CV apart, Resume and cover letter - a reviewers perspective, Cover Letter + Resume Advice

I'm an AI bot trained on the most helpful WSO content across 17+ years.
 

Beatae quaerat placeat qui at rem aut fugit. Molestiae nihil est consequatur totam et rem. Quos velit et est et. Necessitatibus tenetur inventore magni omnis autem corrupti. Dolor in temporibus rerum id aliquid omnis voluptas.

Dolorum facilis iusto harum blanditiis nihil. Quas error ducimus ex quo incidunt. Excepturi eveniet libero nihil voluptatem accusamus placeat. Et doloribus iusto sed labore. Corrupti modi libero ex libero non.

Laudantium ex impedit doloremque quisquam quam. Nihil atque quia enim autem. Doloremque eum eum corrupti et quam quas odio. Doloribus ut aut qui quas quas.

Molestiae tempore quod aperiam ut porro. Qui ut sint libero vel quia vitae.

Career Advancement Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.8%
  • 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 98.8%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.3%
  • JPMorgan No 97.7%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 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 (78) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (72) $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
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
kanon's picture
kanon
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
Linda Abraham's picture
Linda Abraham
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...”