Worth applying to Goldman Sachs?

I know a job at GS is the WS holy grail in a many ways. I'd love to apply there, but I don't know if I have a chance in hell of getting hired and don't want to waste anyone's time. Thoughts - should I bother applying? If so, what's the best way? Apply online? I'd love to talk to someone who actually works there to figure out how to get my resume in the right hands.

About me:

Bachelor's degree, International Business, 3.6 GPA NOT Ivy League or Tier 1 (small but respectable private university) Mensa member 7 years in brokerage / financial services industry Series 7 and 63 licensed Former small business owner Multiple leadership roles in ECs

I'd like to apply as an Associate, since I'm not coming directly out of school. Any thoughts on my chances?

All (informed) opinions would be appreciated. Please be gentle! :-)

10 Comments
 
Best Response

You will need contacts within the firm, for sure. The best way to get your resume "in the right hands" will be through firm contacts. Whether that be alumni, or just people you've met over the course of your time in the business, you will need to reach out to those contacts. Since I'm not sure what group you'd be aiming for, or division, that's probably the best advice I can provide. If you are looking to break into IB, you will definitely have a tough time and you will definitely need to use those contacts to the fullest - without contacts, and by applying solely through the online system, I don't see you having a very good shot.

You might, alternatively, consider B school, since you have the WE, ECs, solid GPA, etc - a strong GPA can definitely open up doors, given your background, to big players in the IB space - nothing is ever a guarantee, but it would definitely help strengthen your candidacy, and allow you to make some valuable contacts (and provide you with alumni contacts).

IBanker www.BankonBanking.com [email protected] Interview Prep, Resume Revisions, News, Articles and More - Stop by Now!

 

It's like a catch-22. I don't think I can afford B-school (at least a good one, which I'll need for the resume since undergrad wasn't stellar) without help from an employer or a better salary. I hadn't planned on IB, at least not at first. I'm more interested in real estate or M&A. I know a couple of people (contacts of contacts) who work there and am trying to get closer to them to get advice. I'm having trouble finding many people to talk to, though. Any suggestions on how to actually meet current employees?

 

No MBA... yet. It's in the plans, but I need some sort of financial assistance (fellowships, tuition reimbursement) so that I don't end up with another $100k+ in student loan debt. I've seen some profiles of GS employees with only a BA or BS, so it looks like it's possible.

 

You have no chance if you don't try. I am a bit concerned that you asked a message board this question because if you don't have the fearless gene, I'm not sure you'll enjoy the journey. You have to fail to succeed. So if you really want to succeed, be prepared to fail. If you are afraid to fail, then you don't need me to tell you that you already have.

 

Enim ab quam rem iure et quo laudantium officia. Eos officia quibusdam est dignissimos facere et. Nesciunt ipsam placeat nobis voluptatum doloremque. Quis animi consequuntur non aut qui doloremque.

Cum adipisci iure soluta quibusdam neque sequi nesciunt. Ut voluptatum tenetur aut optio necessitatibus quis. Accusantium ut fugit sequi et voluptas. Possimus totam atque aut illo maxime deleniti. Dolor voluptas dolor quia et velit cupiditate qui.

Ut vero placeat quidem. Sed maxime iusto consequatur officia exercitationem. Magni eos consequatur iusto mollitia magnam. Maxime est ut adipisci minima odit iusto omnis. Architecto sit totam animi culpa dolore voluptatem omnis. Molestiae sunt necessitatibus deleniti nisi deserunt. Quia magnam consectetur qui sed.

Hic laboriosam distinctio dolorem qui. Tempore illo laudantium placeat sint. Qui doloremque vel et eius non. Distinctio aperiam nostrum accusantium laborum et sed architecto non. Repudiandae reprehenderit aut autem suscipit et.

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 (67) $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
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
6
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
7
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
8
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
9
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
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...”