What are some differences between college and the real world (IB PE)?

I'm still in college but from what I've gathered ... 

1. Once you're in IB, your college and GPA don't matter at all - it's based on your work performance and politics (okay obviously it does for MF PE/bschool... but ultimately it doesn't matter)

2. Everything learned in college is largely useless save 3-4 courses

3. Who you know is more important than what you know (tech maybe not so - probably should pick up a CS course to feel it out and make some CS /eng friends)

4. Harder to make friends as an adult

5. More money less free time

6. Golden handcuffs I assume otherwise there would be more entrepreneurs (feel like most people here deep down want to start a company because I sure as hell do) 

perspective from eco/math at a target

1 Comments
 

Est dolore deleniti id ipsum. Mollitia impedit ut voluptatum cum recusandae voluptatem neque ea. Modi veritatis quia qui.

Neque id animi quisquam est ut nostrum voluptatibus. Minima ut sed eius aut laborum voluptas nam. Voluptas dolorem necessitatibus porro iste consequatur dolores. Quos blanditiis magnam ducimus tenetur et.

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

Career Advancement Opportunities

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.3%
  • Morgan Stanley 08 97.8%
  • Goldman Sachs 02 97.2%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Evercore No 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 01 98.3%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.8%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.2%

Professional Growth Opportunities

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 98.3%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.8%
  • JPMorgan 01 97.2%

Total Avg Compensation

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (48) $259
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (25) $178
  • Intern/Summer Associate (14) $159
  • 1st Year Analyst (83) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (75) $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
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
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
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...”