On-cycle 2025 (as A1) vs 2026 (as A2)

Incoming Analyst in MM IB (think Baird/WB/HL) & 90% confidence on wanting to go PE post-IB. Start date for first years at my firm got pushed back to where to where I don’t start for another 2 months or so. I’ve received about 5 or 6 HH intro emails within the past week but have yet to answer due to unpreparedness.

I’m willing to go purchase a PE interview guide & grind over the next week or so to be prepared by end of month. Would it be more beneficial to (a) suck it up & grind for a week for 2025 on-cycle or (b) gain deal experience & additional modeling practice for a year & recruit on-cycle 2026? What are some pros/cons for each strat?

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8 Comments
 

a bit of a difference experience and opportunity set given that I'm coming from consulting but I was also faced with the same dilemma last year (inexperienced in current role/superficial finance proficiency/general ambivalence), pulled the trigger, committed to getting my hands dirty with modeling for a week with little sleep and ended up with a MM and ultimately an MF offer. if you want to get it over with, you'll nail something provided you prepare adequately

 

Definitely don't go this year if you aren't ready, I would consider that prepping for on-cycle as a full-time analyst (e.g., on top of your regular workload) is not pleasant, to say the least

 

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