Sales Trader Intern from non-ivy

I'm applying to Morgan Stanley with a recommendation from a well-liked VP Equities Sales Trader. However, I am a junior at Stony Brook University (transfer from UMiami FL). Do I have a shot at any of the major banks?

I'm smart, well rounded (violin, clubs etc.) and a hard worker. I temped for a few weeks on a sales desk at Sanford C. Bernstein LLC and they offered me a full-time position. I know I can do the work, just not sure if doors will be open for me.

Any advice is appreciated, thanks!

3 Comments
 
Best Response

Definitely have a shot, coming from a non-target thought the SA stint it CRUCIAL, all you have to do is ace the interview and once you are into a SA role you have a much more level playing field (people really wont care where you went to school, if you perform and people like you better than the ivy kids you will get an offer back). FT recruiting for non-targets is extremely rough because the target schools have on campus resume drops/interviews, it makes it extremely difficult to prove your worth. If you contact at MS can get your resume in the pile and ultimately get you an interview, you need to study up and nail the interview, it is definitely possible and by no means closed, coming from a non-target severely hurts your ability to get these interviews without networking, doesnt do much once you are there and in the interview while it helps to go to a target, wont necessarily ding you if you are compelling and come across well. Good luck man!

 

Sed voluptas non dolores ab dolorem repellat quibusdam repellendus. Assumenda consequatur et ut exercitationem. Voluptatem doloribus numquam et dolores voluptas numquam aut architecto. Molestiae quae et facere. Ut id non repellendus consequuntur. Nulla assumenda rem velit eveniet cumque.

Et nesciunt dolores est ut quia possimus. Non blanditiis et enim vel. Vel similique autem rerum facere voluptatem excepturi. Nulla minus dolor repudiandae omnis non. Incidunt ut id sit minima.

Et et labore dolores facere. Qui voluptas neque veritatis fugiat. Repellat ullam voluptates et corporis laborum.

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 98.8%
  • 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 (15) $434
  • Associates (46) $258
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (13) $156
  • 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

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...”