20 Comments
 

1480 SAT and ‘decent’ extracurriculars is no longer enough for T20s unless you’re ranked extremely high in HS (top 1-2%) and go test optional, unless you go to a feeder. Even then, a 1480 SAT is still quite low and with no hooks, it’s very difficult to get into a T20.

 

I’ve been told I look Cuban so…

In reality though I understand that admissions have gotten extremely competitive but I feel that my ECs (to be more specific, pres of a club and a few of state awards at competitions, varsity athlete- not good enough for recruiting tho- and several internships and jobs in the legal industry among other things) and gpa should give me a small chance at t20s if I shotgun. I also have a legacy at Washu.

 

Being completely honest, I think your ECs are below average for the standard T20 applicant. If I were you, I’d apply ED to WashU CAS, go test optional, and try and show as much fit as you can for the school.

 

And DO NOT go test optional. Anything over a 1450 is enough. I got Northwestern and Stern rd with a 1460. By rule anything over a 1450 doesn’t matter too much.

 

That means you’re an affirmative action admit, lol. NYU Stern’s average SAT is 1545, and Northwestern’s is 1550 (both from the most recent admissions cycle). If you got into both RD with a sub-1500, it means you were an AA admit.

 

I feel I have a pretty good shot through ED but I’m a bit unsure if WashU is worth full price when I have a chance at UCLA/Cal at 50k cheaper.

 

NYU would be epic. 

Penn amazing. 

ND nice. 

UVA nice.

"If you always put limits on everything you do, physical or anything else, it will spread into your work and into your life. There are no limits. There are only plateaus, and you must not stay there, you must go beyond them." - Bruce Lee
 

I didn't end up going but FWIW from friends who went to NYU i did hear the culture is pretty bad. Would def recommend making friends outside of stern. Re being successful it really depends on your personality/ability... if you can learn things quickly on your own (technicals/casing), are generally polished/do well in school, and are a normal chill person, you will have no trouble getting IB and plenty from there get MBB. To be honest, being a non hardo would probably work in your favor with behaviorals and internships. Social life may suffer a bit but its also NYC, going out one night a week in NYC is gonna be more fun than 3 nights a week in some shitter college town like south bend. 

 

Et quia dolorem dolore dolor et. Voluptates dolor ipsum officia. Eos maxime eum qui ab ipsa quidem. Fugiat ullam id dolorum nam qui id nesciunt.

Career Advancement Opportunities

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.8%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.3%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.5%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 98.9%
  • Evercore 01 98.4%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.8%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.3%

Professional Growth Opportunities

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.8%
  • JPMorgan No 97.3%

Total Avg Compensation

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (51) $260
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (26) $182
  • Intern/Summer Associate (14) $159
  • 1st Year Analyst (84) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (76) $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...”