87 Comments
 

Car accidents. I had two cousins die in their early 20's in one, I've been in a few minor accidents, my younger brother and sister have both totaled a car, and my whole family was in a bad accident when I was a kid.

Horrible luck plus shitty road conditions it seems, but c'mon. That just sounds ridiculous.

Reoccurring dream about being in a "runaway" car too.

Commercial Real Estate Developer
 

Myself

All the world's indeed a stage, And we are merely players, Performers and portrayers, Each another's audience, Outside the gilded cage - Limelight (1981)
 

You guys have weird fears. You can control most of that shit.

I'm also afraid of getting stabbed in the gut. I think it would be generally the worst thing ever.

Or getting herpes or something. Or skin cancer

Commercial Real Estate Developer
 
CRE

You guys have weird fears. You can control most of that shit.

I'm also afraid of getting stabbed in the gut. I think it would be generally the worst thing ever.

Or getting herpes or something. Or skin cancer

What's the point in being afraid of something you can't control? It's like being afraid of death; it's gonna happen.

Plus I grew up in the 80s. We look at herpes like a skateboarder looks at a skinned knee.

 
Edmundo Braverman

What's the point in being afraid of something you can't control? It's like being afraid of death; it's gonna happen.

Plus I grew up in the 80s. We look at herpes like a skateboarder looks at a skinned knee.

Hah, because big things like that happening outside of my control are fucking scary, man. Also, death is inevitable. Death in a horrible car accident or at knife point or wasting away in a cancer ward aren't.

That herpes comment had me rolling though

Commercial Real Estate Developer
 
Edmundo Braverman CRE:

You guys have weird fears. You can control most of that shit.

I'm also afraid of getting stabbed in the gut. I think it would be generally the worst thing ever.

Or getting herpes or something. Or skin cancer

What's the point in being afraid of something you can't control? It's like being afraid of death; it's gonna happen.

Plus I grew up in the 80s. We look at herpes like a skateboarder looks at a skinned knee.

Isn't that the point of being afraid of something though? It is beyond your control?

Although I guess it could easily go both ways. Agree with death, but that doesn't mean you can't be afraid of the unknown. Aren't we all a little?

People demand freedom of speech as a compensation for freedom of thought which they seldom use.
 

Living a life that's already been lived 1,000,000,000x.

People demand freedom of speech as a compensation for freedom of thought which they seldom use.
 

Spiders.

"You stop being an asshole when it sucks to be you." -IlliniProgrammer "Your grammar made me wish I'd been aborted." -happypantsmcgee
 

not living up to the goals that I have created for myself. in other words, failure.

make it hard to spot the general by working like a soldier

i fear for others (family, friends etc.) i fear that will waste my life, because i know im not using it to fullest and that my stay on this planet is limited

 

Afraid to fucking death of spiders. It's come to the point that when I see one in the house, I grab a can of cooking spray and a match, then light that bitch up like an alien from Independence Day.

Generally, I'm afraid of anything with more than 4 legs. It's just creepy.

in it 2 win it
 

Probably going blind. I'd hate to have to live the rest of my life without the ability to see.

CompBanker’s Career Guidance Services: https://www.rossettiadvisors.com/
 
CompBanker

Probably going blind. I'd hate to have to live the rest of my life without the ability to see.

Losing one of the major senses would suck.

I hate roller coasters, but skydiving didn't even phase me - too surreal maybe.

I think the threat of possible imminent death while riding a roller coaster is what gets me. And you're not in control of the ride...

Array
 
VanillaGorilla CompBanker:

Probably going blind. I'd hate to have to live the rest of my life without the ability to see.

Losing one of the major senses would suck.

I had drinks a few weeks ago with a buddy from HSBC who's got anosmia. Can't smell a single thing, which basically renders his taste buds useless as well. Happened to him after a car accident. You can't imagine how much joy it takes out of life.

 

Listening to mainstream music. I prefer to listen to independent music/hipster music in order to show my individuality, completely eschewing the fact that I'm using someone else's music to express myself and thus ruining my individuality.

And Centipedes - so f*cking scary when you see them crawling up your wall.

Calm down.
 

Scientifically speaking, humans only have two natural fears. Falling and loud noises. If you are mentally tough enough, you technically shouldn't be afraid of anything else.

"anyone who believes money is the root of all evil, doesn't have any"
 
Asset Allocation

Scientifically speaking, humans only have two natural fears. Falling and loud noises. If you are mentally tough enough, you technically shouldn't be afraid of anything else.

Hah, how do they justify "loud noises"? I like concerts personally.

People demand freedom of speech as a compensation for freedom of thought which they seldom use.
 
Anihilist Asset Allocation:

Scientifically speaking, humans only have two natural fears. Falling and loud noises. If you are mentally tough enough, you technically shouldn't be afraid of anything else.

Hah, how do they justify "loud noises"? I like concerts personally.

//

in it 2 win it
 

Ever seen a camel spider up close? They eat birds.

Yea, try not being freaked the fuck out by that shit.

"You stop being an asshole when it sucks to be you." -IlliniProgrammer "Your grammar made me wish I'd been aborted." -happypantsmcgee
 

That's fucked up. I'm gonna have nightmares.

"You stop being an asshole when it sucks to be you." -IlliniProgrammer "Your grammar made me wish I'd been aborted." -happypantsmcgee
 
yeahright

@Kassad

Ones like this?

I'm not afraid of spiders and this shit still freaks me out

Lawd have mercy

Commercial Real Estate Developer
 

I would hardly think that losing teeth is that bad, and I eat a lot.

"He that hath a beard is more than a youth, and he that hath no beard is less than a man." ― William Shakespeare, Much Ado About Nothing
 

God.

It is of interest to note that while some dolphins are reported to have learned English -- up to fifty words used in correct context -- no human being has been reported to have learned dolphinese.
 

Thanks to smartasses like you posting things like that, I now have a split-second reaction to stop scrolling when I see anything even resembling a spider.

I didn't see it, but it still scared the shit out of me. Good job asshole lol.

in it 2 win it
 

loss of vision, hearing, touch or speech.

I'm talking about liquid. Rich enough to have your own jet. Rich enough not to waste time. Fifty, a hundred million dollars, buddy. A player. Or nothing. See my Blog & AMA
 

pigeons.also knows as rats with feathers.

Take care to get what you want,otherwise you will be forced to like what you get.
 

pigeons.also knows as rats with feathers.

Take care to get what you want,otherwise you will be forced to like what you get.
 

That would be called Ornithophobia. What a shame, aren't you aware that they are considered to be "Unsung Heroes of War"?

I'm talking about liquid. Rich enough to have your own jet. Rich enough not to waste time. Fifty, a hundred million dollars, buddy. A player. Or nothing. See my Blog & AMA
 
goblan

A world where Chief Keef is the future of rap music

Drink a 40 late at night and drive around with the subs at the right level with this on. Come back and tell me you didn't enjoy yourself.

"Mr. Perkins poses an extreme risk to the market when drunk."
 

Blind squirrel, acorn.

"You stop being an asshole when it sucks to be you." -IlliniProgrammer "Your grammar made me wish I'd been aborted." -happypantsmcgee
 

"The most dangerous risk of all - the risk of spending your life not doing what you want on the bet that you can buy yourself the freedom to do it later."

I consider this a giant red flag for myself. I'd print it out and tape it to one of my monitors, if I did that sort of thing. We are on this path, but at what cost? Ever read "Who Moved My Cheese?" I'd like to think I'm progressing well in my career and gaining the skills I've identified as useful, relevant, or necessary to progress to where I want to be, but there are times I sink deep into my chair and get stuck reflecting on some abstract, philosophical sort of stuff.

Are we doing ourselves a great disservice by stifling our natural creativity, risk-taking, and sense of adventure when we so gladly and eagerly put our nose to the grindstone for hours on end, learning not to question directions in favor of just efficiently and mindlessly grinding out what is asked of us within the deadlines given? Are we really improving our lot in life by spending two years (or more) sacrificing intimacy in friendships, familial or romantic relationships, curiosity and development in intellectually stimulating pursuits, physical fitness, and God/doctors only know what else?

I don't think I'll be one to ever get everything I've ever wanted, frankly because I want it all. But I certainly hope this analyst stint doesn't warp my view of what's important, meaningful, wholesome, or lasting ... or change my ability to ideate, think independently, and continue developing my personality.

I am permanently behind on PMs, it's not personal.
 

For some reason I hate cockroaches and rats. Not a phobia, but I can't stand having one where I live. Spiders are ok, as long as they are not huge.

 

Being buried alive. Holy shit that would suck. You would be sitting there not being able to move, knowing your going to die. If your balls itch, good luck scratching em. Coffins are a cozy fit.

Just sitting there waitin till your body wasted away. Yea, that's my number one fear by a mile.

 

Unemployment and poverty.

"I do not think that there is any other quality so essential to success of any kind as the quality of perseverance. It overcomes almost everything, even nature."
 
In The Flesh

Also, being stuck on a stage with Miley Cyrus.

I know that feeling. Not knowing when to quit.

"It's very easy to have too many goals and be overwhelmed by them... The trick is to find the one thing you can focus on that represents every other single thing you want in life." -- @"Edmundo Braverman"
 
Best Response

There is an old saying in Japanese - "By the time you wish to be a good son, your parents are long gone."

I currently live in New York alone and hardly ever get to see my parents (one is on the West Coast, the other maintains a home in New York but is rarely in town, usually travelling between Europe and Asia). I might get together with my parents once or twice a year (Thanksgiving, Christmas), but that's usually it.

I know it sounds terrible, but I can't even remember the last time I told either my mother or father that I loved them. Nor can I remember the last time I bought one of them a gift (e.g. Father's Day, Mother's Day) or showed them my appreciation.

I know deep down inside that they are getting older and won't be around forever, but somehow "life" (work, girlfriend, friends, other crap) gets in the way of spending more time with them. I need to stop making excuses and just find a way to spend more time with them. Maybe planning a surprise visit on their birthday, cancelling the trip to Europe with girlfriend and spending it with parents instead, etc.

-Deo et Patriae

 

Totally agree... I couldn't even visit my parents when my dad underwent a surgery this year, but I will make sure to support my parents financially - that seems to be the only thing I can do at this point..

The Auto Show
 

My greatest fear is that one day i'll be sitting on the toilet reading WSO on my ipad when all of a sudden a little creature will rise from beneath and bite my derrière. Sheer terror.

In pursuit of four monitors...
 
lfc5192

My greatest fear is that one day i'll be sitting on the toilet reading WSO on my ipad when all of a sudden a little creature will rise from beneath and bite my derrière. Sheer terror.

Oh god that can actually happen?

 

Addiction - I have an addictive personality. Succumbing to it scares the shit out of me. It doesn't even have to be drugs or booze: a roommate recently brought over an RPG game for the xbox. For two weeks straight I was hooked, playing early into the AM hours. Was averaging 4 hours of sleep per night and it began to affect my work.

Drowning - While I'm not really afraid of death, I can't imagine how awful drowning would be.

Complacency - How many people in life know that they can do better but don't care enough to try? That is a disease of the mind, which is far more frightening to me than a disease of the body.

 

Poverty and Mediocrity

Greed is Good. Greed is Right. Greed Works. Greed clarifies, cuts through, and captures the essence of the evolutionary spirit. Greed, in all of its forms, Greed for life, for money, for love, and knowledge has marked the upward surge of mankind...
 

Quia rem labore est autem non aspernatur. Autem ipsam enim consequuntur reiciendis accusamus. Repellat eos suscipit consectetur vel. Totam adipisci ut quasi.

Blanditiis aliquid aliquam beatae iusto excepturi porro. Sapiente quia accusantium illum et commodi numquam ut eum. Quis quo dolores in amet dolore amet cupiditate.

 

Esse corporis facere aperiam. Voluptas dicta nisi modi repellendus et aliquid. Dolor aut corporis commodi. Et perferendis optio consequatur ea nesciunt.

Explicabo voluptatem est explicabo fuga veritatis esse dolore. Accusamus dolor harum iusto nesciunt et id. Rerum fuga ut delectus inventore ipsa possimus. Aperiam fugiat totam esse. Est adipisci mollitia voluptas eum tempore.

Ratione molestiae veniam sit soluta rem. Sit ea qui nisi ipsum non sed quam. Nostrum est repellat quasi iusto debitis. Voluptatem et ipsa sequi et.

Id eaque est deserunt inventore laboriosam ea. Maxime sed porro reprehenderit placeat doloribus nobis sint. Et necessitatibus sed dolores illum aut corporis. Delectus fugit est id optio velit facilis. Vero at itaque id culpa rem.

 

Quidem accusamus labore distinctio molestiae. Ut commodi nemo praesentium aspernatur officia cum mollitia dolorum. Porro recusandae beatae beatae voluptatem. Esse delectus aperiam at eius et. Odit dolorum corporis harum aut nihil qui omnis ipsam. Officiis similique maxime odit maxime harum.

 

Cupiditate porro illum ex exercitationem similique et. Excepturi quis est quo hic sapiente modi. Eius quod dolor cumque qui quibusdam aliquam ipsam.

Neque aperiam in et suscipit voluptatem. Commodi molestias voluptate sed animi et aut. Sed qui quasi ut quo mollitia voluptatum dolor. Voluptatem rerum quis vel et et voluptatibus. Et fuga corrupti repellendus.

I would... but the truth is I can't sell my soul to myself... http://www.investopedia.com/terms/b/blackknight.asp

Career Advancement Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.8%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.2%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.7%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 01 98.8%
  • Evercore 01 98.2%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.6%
  • Banco Santander 01 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Evercore No 98.8%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.2%
  • JPMorgan No 97.7%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (14) $434
  • Associates (43) $259
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (13) $156
  • 1st Year Analyst (75) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (65) $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
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
3
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
4
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
5
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
6
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
7
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
8
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
9
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
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...”