Do I need prior finance internships to be considered at Goldman Sachs?

Hey, good on you for getting ahead of this and putting in the prep.

The short answer is yes, you still have a shot. Goldman looks at the full picture, not just whether you’ve done an M&A internship. What matters is how well you can show that you understand the job, have the skills to do it, and are genuinely motivated to be there.

Your consulting and startup experience can actually be a real asset if you position it right. Talk about moments where you worked under pressure, solved messy problems, or had exposure to business strategy. If you got to see how decisions were made, worked with data, or helped shape outcomes, that’s all valuable. What you want to show is that you’ve built a strong foundation, even if it wasn’t in a traditional IB setting.

That said, you’ll need to prove you’ve taken the time to build up the finance skills. Sounds like you’re already doing that with DCFs and valuation prep, which is great. Keep going with that and be ready to walk through a basic model, talk about a recent deal, and explain concepts like enterprise value or accretion/dilution. You don’t have to be perfect, but you should be confident and clear.

Hope this helps!

Hey there!

You definitely don’t need a prior finance internship to be considered at Goldman Sachs, especially for summer analyst roles though it can help, it's not a strict requirement. What matters more is how well you can demonstrate genuine interest in investment banking, commercial awareness, and an ability to pick up technical skills quickly. Your consulting and startup experience can actually be quite valuable, particularly if you frame it around problem solving, working in fast-paced environments, and supporting strategic decisions all of which are relevant to IB.

GS hires a diverse range of profiles, and plenty of candidates have successfully broken in without traditional finance backgrounds by showing strong preparation, clear motivation, and a sharp understanding of the role. Since you’ve already been building your technical knowledge through self-study and practice (like working on a DCF), you’re on the right track. What will really set you apart is how convincingly you can tie your past experiences to the skills bankers use every day: analytical thinking, communication under pressure, teamwork, and attention to detail.

If you’re serious about the role, use your cover letter and interviews to highlight why you’re making the switch and how your background gives you a unique perspective. And if you can back that up with strong technical prep and a bit of networking, you absolutely stand a chance even without prior M&A exposure.

Hi There,

You can absolutely be considered by Goldman Sachs without prior finance internships, especially if you bring strong analytical skills, a clear interest in investment banking, and relevant experiences that show commercial awareness. 

Your consulting and startup internships already demonstrate strategic thinking, exposure to business challenges, and working closely with decision-makers—these are all valuable and transferable. What matters is how you present them and how well you connect those experiences to the demands of an IB analyst role.

Goldman looks for candidates who are curious, resilient, and fast learners. If you can confidently walk through valuation concepts, understand how businesses create value, and articulate why you're pursuing banking now, you will stand out. Use your application to show initiative—mention the self-study you’ve done and be specific about what you've learned. 

During interviews, focus on how you solve problems, work under pressure, and collaborate with others. Many analysts come from non-traditional paths, but they succeed by showing commitment, readiness, and a strong grasp of the fundamentals.