Know the timeline
Investment banking internships are decided much earlier than most parents expect. Banks open summer analyst applications more than a year before the internship: Morgan Stanley took applications for its summer 2027 banking internship from January 1 to February 15, 2026. Before that, freshman and sophomore programs (insight days, early-ID programs and diversity summits) open in the fall. If your student is a freshman or sophomore, this year is when to start.
What actually gets students interviews
Grades and a clean resume get a student into the pile. What moves them to the top is that someone at the firm knows their name: an analyst or associate they talked to, often an alum of their school. Those conversations come from short, personal emails asking for 15 minutes, sent to many people, with polite follow-ups. It is a volume game, and it is the part most students fall behind on during the semester.
What you can do this week
Look up your student's school on Paperclip to see how many alumni work at the banks, consulting firms and private equity firms, and at which ones. Share the freshman and sophomore programs guide with them, and pick two or three programs with deadlines this fall. Ask who they have talked to at those firms, not whether they have applied.
What help costs
Coaching teaches a student how to network and interview; they still send every email. A done-for-you service sends the emails for them.
| Option | What you get | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Mergers & Inquisitions | Resume editing, or resume plus pitch feedback, after a $497+ course | $300 to $500 |
| Management Consulted Black Belt | 8 to 10 hours one-on-one | $2,250 |
| Wall Street Oasis Academy | Coaching program | $7,000, or $11,000 with offer guarantee |
| Paperclip Concierge (gift) | Emails alumni and professionals at the firms your student picks, from their inbox, every weekday, plus interview prep | $149 a month or $549 a semester |
What to leave to your student
Let your student send every email and take every call. Bankers want to hear from the student, in the student's own words, and a parent contacting a firm directly can hurt more than help. Your role is the timeline, the encouragement and, if you choose, paying for help with the parts that take the most time.
Frequently asked questions
How can I help my college student get an investment banking internship?
Know the timeline (applications open more than a year ahead, freshman and sophomore programs open in the fall), help them see which banks hire from their school, and make sure they are talking to people at those firms. You can also pay for help with the networking, which is the part that takes the most time.
Should parents contact banks for their student?
No. Let the student send every email and take every call. Bankers want to hear from the student directly.
Is investment banking coaching worth it?
It can be for a specific gap, like technicals or interview practice. It does not send the emails that lead to interviews, and no one can honestly guarantee an offer. Published coaching programs run from $2,250 to $11,000.
Can I buy Paperclip for my student?
Yes. Parents can give Paperclip Concierge for $149 a month or $549 a semester. Your student claims it with a link, picks their firms and connects their own inbox, and Paperclip emails alumni and professionals there for them every weekday.
Sources and editorial notes
Templates and workflow suggestions are original Paperclip examples. They do not promise replies or job offers. Employer requirements can change; check the current posting before applying.