Sophomore non-target, Goldman Sachs application, realistic options (BO vs. MO)
Hi
So everyone here talks about IBD and that is my ultimate goal as well but I am a sophomore at a non-target (send a couple kids to IB each year, some at BBs in NY).
My school's application deadline for GS is tomorrow night (well tonight technically, 12/5) and I was wondering what some realistic places were that I could apply to?
You can apply to up to 3 areas and right now I have NY Area and Finance. Not completely back office, more middle, isn't it?
But I have a 3.7 GPA (going down slightly after this semester, glad I'm applying now haha)
ok work experience, unpaid internship (not really finance but interesting). Pretty good school activities/involvement.
So I feel like I could competitive for some BO/MO roles, but have no idea which ones to apply for.
Would like to go to NYC or Chicago after graduation but would prefer NYC.
Is PWM one of the easier ones to get? Doing a search suggests that it is almost a "waste" to do pwm as a soph but their still could be some inner firm networking, right?
What other groups? I'm a finance major but I'm kind of open to whatever.
Operations? Seems like its shit on here, but would it be good as a soph? Merchant Banking/Private Equity? Global Investment Research?
Love to do GS IBD as a soph, but that is just unrealistic.
What should I be aiming for? What do you think I have a realistic shot at?
Thanks
As a non-target, go for a BO position (ideally the finance division) - it'd be more realistic to obtain. Once you're at Goldman (assuming you get the offer), network until you can get some allies on the inside to push your resume forward for internal mobility. This is one of the only ways you'll have a shot - while internal mobility is by no means easy, you can be sure that HR will at least read your resume. Coupled with allies and a great recommendation from your VP, you should be able to secure an interview at the least. Note that there are many risks - if your VP is a real a**hole, he may not allow you to apply for IBD or FO roles. In that case, forget it and move to another bank.
Networking from the BO is very much underrated, especially in an internship position. When I was there I had a 100% hit rate in networking - every single person from analyst to partner responded positively and arranged either a phone call or meeting when I asked.
Of course it can't hurt to apply for IBD or ER, but just don't put all your eggs in one basket. And don't bother applying to the merchant banking division - I think there were maybe 2 or 3 interns last summer in the NYC office within MBD. Or maybe that was in all offices - I'm not sure. It's a crapshoot and probably requires connections.
Good luck!
GS pwm is definitely a good place to be as a sophomore (if you can get it) and very competitive.
Every option the OP listed besides operations was FO
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