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Anonymous

on Aug 04, 2025

Global

Group selection at Morgan Stanley

Hey all,

I’m currently preparing for interviews at Morgan Stanley and trying to better understand how group placement works, especially if I get to the offer stage. I know group selection can make a huge difference in terms of your experience, learning, and exits, but I’m still a bit lost on how much flexibility you actually have, and how to approach this strategically.

I’ve heard that certain groups at MS are especially strong, but also that it’s super competitive to get into them. I’m interested in M&A generally but haven’t fully narrowed down an industry yet. I’d ideally want to end up in a group with solid deal flow, a strong analyst culture, and decent hours (as much as that’s possible in IB).

How does Morgan Stanley handle placement? Do interns get to express preferences? And are there real differences in how the groups are run in terms of culture, hours, and exposure?

Would love to hear from anyone who’s gone through the process or has insight into what actually matters when choosing a group at MS.

Thanks!

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Rita

Coach

23 hrs ago

Excel in Finance | FREE 15 Minutes Intro Call | Personalised Preparation

Hey! From what I’ve seen, group placement at Morgan Stanley happens after you get the offer. You’ll have the chance to speak with different groups (usually through coffee chats), submit your preferences, and then they try to match you based on mutual interest. So yes, you do have input, but it’s not totally in your control.

And yeah, there are definitely real differences between groups in terms of culture, hours, and deal exposure. Some groups like M&A, Tech, or Industrials have strong reputations but are also super competitive and can be more intense in terms of hours. Culture really varies too, so it’s worth taking those chats seriously and asking honest questions.

If you’re generally into M&A but haven’t picked an industry yet, that’s totally fine. A lot of people figure that out during the process or even once they’re in the role. Focus more on where you click with the people. That often matters more than the group name itself, honestly.