Should I write a senior thesis?

Currently attend a top school and have the opportunity to write a senior thesis next year. Going to SA at one of the better industry boutiques this summer (where I'll hopefully secure the return) and eventually hope to go into growth equity or L/S HF. Seeing as the main incentive behind writing a thesis (at least for me) is that it's the only way to get latin honors at my school, should I grind one out to try and graduate Cum Laude/Magna Cum laude? How much would that kind of distinction even matter down the line (i.e., for getting interviews at top buy-side shops)? 

 
Most Helpful

One thing to consider is that you can use this sort of thing on resumes and in interviews. Make your senior thesis on something that might be of interest to future employers. Useful when you're first starting out.

Also, great to point to other areas of interest for later on. Suppose your Senior thesis is something tech related or about emerging markets. It's something you can point to when interviewing for a L/S position in those fields for example to show a long held interest in the area.

In addition, consider that something like Magna Cum laude can follow your whole career.  I've seen lots of short company bios where it says ..."graduated University XYZ magnum cum laude"..On the other hand,no one ever says on their professional bio "...graduated University XYZ with a 3.9 GPA" for example.

 

Rerum temporibus qui a. Dolores aliquid quo id et quia est ad. Doloremque aut et error quaerat distinctio quibusdam.

Sint ut est numquam esse ut. Possimus aut eos sunt porro id. Voluptas est delectus voluptate impedit eveniet. Et neque inventore possimus delectus corporis. Sunt labore corrupti magni.

Career Advancement Opportunities

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Jefferies & Company 02 99.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 19 98.8%
  • Harris Williams & Co. New 98.3%
  • Lazard Freres 02 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 03 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Harris Williams & Co. 18 99.4%
  • JPMorgan Chase 10 98.8%
  • Lazard Freres 05 98.3%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.7%
  • William Blair 03 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Lazard Freres 01 99.4%
  • Jefferies & Company 02 98.8%
  • Goldman Sachs 17 98.3%
  • Moelis & Company 07 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 05 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Director/MD (5) $648
  • Vice President (19) $385
  • Associates (86) $261
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (14) $181
  • Intern/Summer Associate (33) $170
  • 2nd Year Analyst (66) $168
  • 1st Year Analyst (205) $159
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (145) $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
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
5
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
6
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
7
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
8
kanon's picture
kanon
98.9
9
bolo up's picture
bolo up
98.8
10
Jamoldo's picture
Jamoldo
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...”