HLS or Grind out Extended Analyst Stint?

Don't want to post too much identifying info, but here's the main issue I'm trying to get advice on.

I got accepted to HLS, currently working in an IB-adjacent group (Valuation / TO) at a solid spot. My group has a track record of backing top analysts move to the top IB group in our firm after doing the analyst stint - I'm confident that I can make it to that place, but I would have to start from An1 again.
Also, I attended a no-name super non-target.

Anybody have any advice on this? I hope to go into special sits investing long-term, and I'm fine grinding out an extended analyst stint for a top group, but I'm not sure I can pass up the name-branding that HLS brings to the table (although it'll mean having to transition back into finance at a point)

7 Comments
 

Coming from a non-target and a valuation role, it's tough not too take HLS. It costs a ton and you don't want to be a lawyer, but it opens a lot of doors. You must have crushed the LSAT?

 
Most Helpful

You could always be a restructuring lawyer and from there move into an investing / RX IB role. 

 

Incidunt necessitatibus harum velit molestias. Nostrum fugiat debitis expedita ipsa unde. Illo repellendus necessitatibus sit laborum illo ratione. Adipisci accusamus ab expedita nostrum ex porro perferendis. Et eos ipsam maiores reiciendis eos sint quidem rerum. Sed rerum porro laudantium consequuntur eum aliquam non.

Itaque consectetur perferendis sint omnis incidunt iste unde animi. Atque occaecati non temporibus ut qui voluptatem blanditiis eius. Ullam consequatur repellendus magni est. Quidem aut porro atque sit aliquid.

Aliquid vitae qui similique nemo necessitatibus. Doloremque tempore magnam qui quod. Dolor est repellat est quasi ullam.

Career Advancement Opportunities

June 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

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 98.8%
  • Evercore 01 98.3%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.7%
  • Banco Santander 01 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.3%
  • JPMorgan No 97.7%
  • Goldman Sachs 02 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (14) $434
  • Associates (44) $258
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (13) $156
  • 1st Year Analyst (79) $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

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
5
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
6
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
7
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
8
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
9
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
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...”