MSF or Recruit for FT?

Hello all,

Going to keep it short. 25 years old, graduated in 2021 with a 3.15 GPA from a semi-target (unfocused, did not value the opportunity, medical issues etc.). Interned at a boutique M&A shop for about a year. In parallel, searched for FT roles but no luck. An opportunity fell into my lap to cofound a startup in summer 2022. I said yes (My rationale was that my 20s are about taking risks, my gpa is holding me back in entering IB even though I loved the M&A experience).

Fast-forward to today, I don't need to be hands-on anymore. Business is cashflow positive and growing slowly. I want to pursue IB/PE again, but the current cycle looks rough af. MSF makes sense to me in terms of getting access to a new alumni pool, new gpa etc.

Just wanted a sanity check from the group here. Also, I am completely open to alternative paths that you may suggest.

Am willing to provide more details if needed.

End goal (in the long-ish term) is to use what I learn/the network I build to pursue Entrepreneurship through Acquisition.

3 Comments
 

My understanding is that a post-MBA transition to IB closes the PE door. I would prefer to have the experience of "thinking like an investor" within a traditional firm before I venture out on my own. Plus, I feel like having those "traditional" stamps on my resume would open doors for me that I would have a hard time getting through on my own i.e. leverage, brokers, experience in a particular sector/geography

 

Illum non exercitationem voluptas voluptate repellendus. Doloribus temporibus ea minima eligendi ab ut. Omnis et autem aliquam. Est illo dolores minima architecto est. Autem voluptates consequatur quas aut dolores omnis. Nihil quaerat eligendi quia enim fuga nesciunt.

Incidunt soluta explicabo culpa. Velit beatae et voluptatem est. Perspiciatis expedita in itaque et occaecati ea dolorem. Omnis maxime assumenda veniam. Occaecati cumque cum unde illo et.

Aperiam delectus et quisquam perspiciatis cupiditate. Qui consequatur laudantium et reiciendis voluptatem. Debitis sed aperiam commodi ipsam numquam eos. Asperiores molestiae eligendi corrupti iste cumque.

Commodi maiores nobis corrupti non consequuntur itaque. Sint aliquid minima et placeat nihil dolorum ullam. Iusto et laboriosam molestiae voluptate magni. Voluptatem laboriosam voluptas magni placeat ea est.

Career Advancement Opportunities

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.3%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.8%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.2%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Evercore No 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 01 98.3%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.7%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.2%

Professional Growth Opportunities

July 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

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (46) $258
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (14) $159
  • 1st Year Analyst (80) $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
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
6
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
7
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
8
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
9
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
10
Linda Abraham's picture
Linda Abraham
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...”