u/Effective_Resort_248

Hey everyone,

I'm a 17-year-old from Spain, and I'll be starting university this next year at ICADE in Madrid, pursuing the E-3 program (a highly selective 5-year double degree in Business Administration and Law).

My ultimate goal is to break into Investment Banking (M&A) in London right after graduation.
Since l am planning my strategy early, I want to make sure I map out my milestones perfectly.
Here is a quick snapshot of my profile and where I stand:

• Background: Spanish native, currently 17.
• Languages: Fully trilingual. Native Spanish, fluent English (C1), and fluent French (C1).
• University Pipeline: ICADE is a top target in Spain but not as target as the top ones for London. Additionally, the school has elite exchange programs with US institutions like Wharton and Michigan (Ross), which I am actively aiming to secure in my 4th year.

Given that my program lasts 5 years (unlike the standard 3-year UK degrees), I want to be hyper-efficient with my timing and networking.
I have a few direct questions for the community:

1. Spring Weeks Timeline for a 5-Year Degree In the UK, Spring Weeks usually target 1st-year students on a 3-year track or 2nd-year students on a 4-year track. For a 5-year European double degree, what is the optimal window to apply for Spring Weeks to seamlessly convert them into Summer Analyst (SA) positions? Should I apply in my 1st year, 2nd year, or both?

2. Leveraging Trilingualism for Continental Europe Teams
   How heavily can I leverage my languages (Spanish/French) during early recruiting? Do London-based Bulge Brackets and Elite Boutiques actively screen freshman/ sophomores for their geographic coverage teams (e.g., Iberia or France coverage) during the Spring Week or early SA processes?

3. Networking from Madrid
   What is the most effective way to network with London-based analysts/associates from Spain during my freshman year? Is it better to target ICADE alumni exclusively, or should I reach out broadly to professionals working in the specific industry coverage groups I'm interested in?

4. US Exchange vs. UK Recruiting Timelines If I secure an exchange at a place like Wharton or Michigan Ross in my 4th year, will being physically in the US conflict with the standard London Summer Analyst recruiting cycle, which usually happens the year prior?

I'm ready to put in the work, grind the technicals, and network heavily from day one.
Any blunt advice, reality checks, or strategic roadmaps on how to maximize my time at ICADE to land in the City would be massively appreciated.

Thanks in advance!

Hey everyone,

I'm a 17-year-old from Spain, and I'll be starting university this next year at ICADE in Madrid, pursuing the E-3 program (a highly selective 5-year double degree in Business Administration and Law).

My ultimate goal is to break into Investment Banking (M&A) in London right after graduation.
Since l am planning my strategy early, I want to make sure I map out my milestones perfectly.
Here is a quick snapshot of my profile and where I stand:

• Background: Spanish native, currently 17.
• Languages: Fully trilingual. Native Spanish, fluent English (C1), and fluent French (C1).
• University Pipeline: ICADE is a top target in Spain but not as target as the top ones for London. Additionally, the school has elite exchange programs with US institutions like Wharton and Michigan (Ross), which I am actively aiming to secure in my 4th year.

Given that my program lasts 5 years (unlike the standard 3-year UK degrees), I want to be hyper-efficient with my timing and networking.
I have a few direct questions for the community:

1. Spring Weeks Timeline for a 5-Year Degree In the UK, Spring Weeks usually target 1st-year students on a 3-year track or 2nd-year students on a 4-year track. For a 5-year European double degree, what is the optimal window to apply for Spring Weeks to seamlessly convert them into Summer Analyst (SA) positions? Should I apply in my 1st year, 2nd year, or both?

2. Leveraging Trilingualism for Continental Europe Teams
   How heavily can I leverage my languages (Spanish/French) during early recruiting? Do London-based Bulge Brackets and Elite Boutiques actively screen freshman/ sophomores for their geographic coverage teams (e.g., Iberia or France coverage) during the Spring Week or early SA processes?

3. Networking from Madrid
   What is the most effective way to network with London-based analysts/associates from Spain during my freshman year? Is it better to target ICADE alumni exclusively, or should I reach out broadly to professionals working in the specific industry coverage groups I'm interested in?

4. US Exchange vs. UK Recruiting Timelines If I secure an exchange at a place like Wharton or Michigan Ross in my 4th year, will being physically in the US conflict with the standard London Summer Analyst recruiting cycle, which usually happens the year prior?

I'm ready to put in the work, grind the technicals, and network heavily from day one.
Any blunt advice, reality checks, or strategic roadmaps on how to maximize my time at ICADE to land in the City would be massively appreciated.

Thanks in advance!

Hi everyone,

I’m a 17-year-old student currently at a French school in Madrid (top grades, 9.3/10 GPA). My goal is clear, Investment Banking (M&A) in London, aiming for Bulge Brackets (GS/JPM/MS) or Elite Boutiques (Rothschild/Lazard/Evercore).

I am planning to study at ICADE in Madrid, specifically the E-3 program (5-year Double Degree in Law + Business Administration). I am trilingual (Native Spanish, C1 English, C1 French).

I have a couple of specific questions for those currently working in the City:

1. ⁠Language Edge: Does being trilingual (Spanish/French/English) coupled with an ICADE pedigree help in pivoting away from "Regional Coverage" into more industry-focused groups or global teams?

I’d appreciate any insights from anyone who has gone through the process or sees ICADE interns/analysts in their floors.
Thanks!

How is ICADE (E-3) perceived for London IB (Bulge Bracket/Elite Boutiques)?

Hi everyone,

I’m a 17-year-old student currently at a French school in Madrid (top grades, 9.3/10 GPA). My goal is clear, Investment Banking (M&A) in London, aiming for Bulge Brackets (GS/JPM/MS) or Elite Boutiques (Rothschild/Lazard/Evercore).

I am planning to study at ICADE in Madrid, specifically the E-3 program (5-year Double Degree in Law + Business Administration). I am trilingual (Native Spanish, C1 English, C1 French).

I have a couple of specific questions for those currently working in the City:

1. Target Status: ICADE is widely considered the #1 target school in Spain. How does this reputation translate to London? Do recruiters at BBs and EBs view E-3 graduates as "on par" with top European targets (Bocconi, HEC, HSG) for generalist pools, or is it mostly seen as a feeder for Spanish Coverage teams?

2. The E-3 Value Prop (Law + Finance): Does the 5-year double degree add significant value in M&A interviews? Specifically, is the legal background seen as a competitive advantage for understanding deal structures/SPAs, or is it better to go for a 4-year pure Business degree (E-2) to enter the market earlier (but E-2 has less prestige)?

3. The "Age" Factor: Graduates from E-3 enter the market at 23. In London, where many graduate at 21, is this slight age gap an issue, or does the intensity of a 5-year double degree prove the "stamina" needed for Analyst years?

4. Language Edge: Does being trilingual (Spanish/French/English) coupled with an ICADE pedigree help in pivoting away from "Regional Coverage" into more industry-focused groups or global teams?

I’d appreciate any insights from anyone who has gone through the process or sees ICADE interns/analysts in their floors.
Thanks!

Salut à tous,

Actuellement en avant-dernier année de bac espagnol dans un lycée français à l'étranger (très bonnes notes, profil assez ambitieux), j'envisage sérieusement de rejoindre Paris-Dauphine en économie/gestion.

J'ai quelques questions précises pour ceux qui connaissent bien l'école ou le secteur financier :

1. Prestige et IB : Quel est le prestige réel de Dauphine comparé au "Top 3" des Grandes Écoles (HEC, ESSEC, ESCP) pour viser la Banque d’Invéstissement (M&A), particulièrement à Londres ?
   Est-ce que Dauphine est réellement considérée comme une "Target School" au même titre que les meilleures écoles de commerce ?

2. Ambiance et intégration : Je suis Espagnol mais je parle couramment français (scolarisé en système français depuis toujours).
   Est-ce que l'ambiance à Dauphine est sympa ou est-ce que c'est trop "compétitif/chacun pour soi" ?
   Est-ce facile de s'intégrer quand on vient de l'étranger mais qu'on maîtrise parfaitement les codes français ?

3. Vie à l'université : On dit souvent que Dauphine a un statut hybride. Est-ce qu'on s'y sent comme à la fac ou est-ce qu'il y a un vrai esprit de promotion/école ?

Merci d'avance pour vos retours et vos conseils !

Salut à tous,

Actuellement en avant-dernier année de bac espagnol dans un lycée français à l'étranger (très bonnes notes, profil assez ambitieux), j'envisage sérieusement de rejoindre Paris-Dauphine en économie/gestion.

J'ai quelques questions précises pour ceux qui connaissent bien l'école ou le secteur financier :

1. Prestige et IB : Quel est le prestige réel de Dauphine comparé au "Top 3" des Grandes Écoles (HEC, ESSEC, ESCP) pour viser la Banque d’Invéstissement (M&A), particulièrement à Londres ?
   Est-ce que Dauphine est réellement considérée comme une "Target School" au même titre que les meilleures écoles de commerce ?

2. Ambiance et intégration : Je suis Espagnol mais je parle couramment français (scolarisé en système français depuis toujours).
   Est-ce que l'ambiance à Dauphine est sympa ou est-ce que c'est trop "compétitif/chacun pour soi" ?
   Est-ce facile de s'intégrer quand on vient de l'étranger mais qu'on maîtrise parfaitement les codes français ?

3. Vie à l'université : On dit souvent que Dauphine a un statut hybride. Est-ce qu'on s'y sent comme à la fac ou est-ce qu'il y a un vrai esprit de promotion/école ?

Merci d'avance pour vos retours et vos conseils !

Currently deciding between several European undergraduate options for Investment Banking in London and would appreciate honest input from people working in the industry or who went through recruiting recently.

My goal is very clear: break into BB/EB IB in London directly from undergrad (GS/MS/JPM/EVR/CVP/PJT/etc.). I am not particularly optimizing for law, entrepreneurship or general business careers — mainly pure IB placement.

Options I am considering:

- ICADE E-3 (Spain)
- Stockholm School of Economics – BSc Economics & Business
- Rotterdam School of Management – International Business Administration
- Paris Dauphine – finance/economics related degree

Profile:
- Spanish student from Madrid
- French school background
- Native Spanish + high level English and French
- Very strong grades
- Cost is not a deciding factor
- Would prefer landing IB directly from undergrad rather than relying on a Master’s later
- London is the goal long term, not Madrid/Paris/Amsterdam/Stockholm

Things I care about most:

1. BB/EB London placement strength
2. Access to internships during undergrad
3. Alumni/network in London finance
4. Reputation among London recruiters
5. Competitive peer group
6. Good social/student life is a plus

A few specific questions:
- Which of these gives the highest probability of landing London IB?
- Is SSE materially stronger than the others for London recruiting?
- How much does ICADE’s alumni network compensate for being less internationally known?
- Is RSM still considered a strong semi-target for London?
- Does Dauphine place well outside France without a Master’s?
- If your ONLY goal was London IB, which one would you pick?

Would appreciate brutally honest opinions rather than generic “all are good” answers.

Thanks in advance for your time!!