I replied to your email separately here. Yes, still apply to MM / regional boutique / In-Between-a-Banks like RBC, Wells Fargo, etc. because you have some good experience, and you might find opportunities, especially outside of NY. If those don’t work out, think about corporate banking, corporate finance at normal companies, valuation firms, Big 4, etc. I would strongly recommend corporate finance and deal-based roles over consulting for VC/GE/PE.

I am currently a junior at Cornell, with a GPA of 3.5. This summer I am working at a boutique REPE firm (fund size ? $350M) that concentrates on the Hospitality industry. Last summer, I interned at a high-tech micro-VC fund (? $25M).

I am wondering what my realistic options are for FT; I am fairly certain based on your articles that BB/EB is reasonably out of the question (although I still plan to apply), but what about my chances at a MM or Regional Boutique?

If not, what are some other good options if I’m interested in pursuing an MBA as well as going into VC/Growth Equity/PE? Am I better off trying to win a Consulting offer in a Finance-related field or trying for Corporate Finance?

Just a note, I am not particularly interested in going into anything RE-related out of undergrad.

Thank you very much in advance! Look forward to your answer.

I would need more information to answer your question because I don’t know your experience/resume, current internship, or what you’re aiming for. If you’re attempting to win a FT offer without a previous internship, yes, you should focus on senior bankers or getting referrals to senior bankers and ask for them ASAP because they have the most hiring power. Also note that FT recruiting outside of summer internship conversions is usually rare and happens more often when banks have under-hired and outside of NY.