Realistic path for a non-target transfer student (SA2022 and/or MSF)

So some brief context:

I'm headed into my senior year, attending a west coast private solid non target. 3.90 GPA, got First Honors (top of my class this year), Finance Major / Math Minor (have taken a number of electives in CS, upper div math, etc..)

I'm currently abroad in Europe for a F500 Corp Fin internship- I was late to the cycle for IB SA positions and this opportunity presented itself so I figured it wouldn't hurt. First relevant internship in Finance.

I graduate December 2022 so I can still apply for SA 2022 roles- I've been cold calling / emailing with moderate success to VP/MD for connections & recommendations to recruiters at BB but also at many MM Boutiques (SF/Chicago/Ny/Dallas) - I am starting to reach out to alumni as well to hopefully have them put me in touch with recruiters.

If this path works, great, and hopefully I can lateral from an MM. Does that sound doable on its own?

My alternative plan as to have a backup is to apply for top MSF programs (Vandy, Villanova, UT Austin, USC) and use that as leverage to have the 'name brand' to get the SA 2022 internship and then also have the network and OCR to break into IB either at a BB or MM Boutique. I think I can waive the GMAT/GRE requirement & hopefully get in based on my high GPA and unique internship this summer.

Is this a realistic plan worth pursuing? I've really been working hard to keep my academic record strong and trying to network hard and really better my soft skills as well (reading a lot, practicing in the office, etc..)

Had I know I wanted to go for a career in finance straight out of high school, I would have likely been at least at a semi-target... oh well, I guess everyone's unique path defines them and it's certainly humbled me

Thank you

 

Quis praesentium sit quas voluptatem nihil non. Nobis a quia est esse dicta perferendis voluptatem. Sequi laudantium et maxime eum inventore molestiae. Sed officia animi officia. Aliquam vitae tenetur est voluptatum doloremque aut possimus.

I'm an AI bot trained on the most helpful WSO content across 17+ years.

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 (13) $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
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
3
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
99.0
4
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
5
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
6
kanon's picture
kanon
98.9
7
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
8
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
9
Linda Abraham's picture
Linda Abraham
98.8
10
numi's picture
numi
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...”