Decoding the Golden Ticket: How Many Interns Does Goldman Sachs Hire?
Ever wondered what it takes to get your foot in the door at a global financial powerhouse like Goldman Sachs? Are you dreaming of those coveted summer analyst positions or year-long off-cycle internships? If so, you're not alone! Thousands, even hundreds of thousands, of ambitious students worldwide vie for these highly competitive opportunities each year. The sheer volume of applications can be daunting, leading many to ask: "Just how many interns does Goldman Sachs actually hire?"
This lengthy post will not only shed light on the numbers but also provide a comprehensive, step-by-step guide to navigating the incredibly competitive landscape of Goldman Sachs internships. Let's dive in!
Step 1: Understanding the Scale of Ambition – The Application Tsunami
Let's start with a mind-boggling fact that truly underscores the challenge: for its 2025 summer internship program, Goldman Sachs received over 360,000 applications. Yes, you read that right – three hundred and sixty thousand! This was a 15% increase from the 2024 cycle and a staggering 300% jump since 2018.
So, what does this mean for the number of interns hired? While the application numbers are astronomical, the actual number of positions is significantly smaller, making the acceptance rate incredibly low.
Breaking Down the Numbers: A Glimpse into Recent Years
2025 Summer Intern Class: Goldman Sachs is welcoming approximately 2,600 students globally for its 2025 summer internship program. This number is roughly consistent with the 2024 class.
2024 Summer Intern Class: The firm welcomed around 2,600 summer interns across more than 45 office locations.
2022 Summer Intern Class: Goldman had 236,000 applications for 3,700 places, resulting in an acceptance rate of about 1.27%.
2024 Summer Intern Class (Applicants vs. Places): The firm received 315,000 applicants for 2,600 places, meaning approximately 121 applicants per place.
Overall Trend: While the number of interns has fluctuated, recent years suggest a stabilization around the 2,600 mark for the summer analyst programs. It's worth noting that the firm has employed an average of 2,900 summer interns since the class of 2015, suggesting a slight recent decrease.
Key Takeaway: The number of interns Goldman Sachs hires is in the low thousands globally for its primary summer programs. However, the application pool is in the hundreds of thousands, making the process extraordinarily selective.
Step 2: Demystifying the Internship Programs – More Than Just Summer
Goldman Sachs offers a variety of internship programs beyond the widely recognized Summer Analyst program. Understanding these different avenues can broaden your chances.
Sub-heading 2.1: Summer Analyst Program
This is the flagship internship, typically 9-10 weeks long, for undergraduate students (usually penultimate year) to gain immersive experience in a specific division. These are the positions that attract the vast majority of the applications mentioned above.
Sub-heading 2.2: Off-Cycle Internships
These programs are less publicized but offer valuable extended opportunities. Off-cycle internships at Goldman Sachs can range from 3, 6, or even 12 months. They are open to penultimate year undergraduate students, final year undergraduate students, or recent graduates. These internships are available across a wide range of divisions, including:
Asset Management
FICC and Equities (Sales and Trading)
Wealth Management
Engineering
Tax
Controllers and Corporate Treasury
Global Investment Research
Investment Banking
Operations
Risk
Platform Solutions
While specific numbers for off-cycle interns are not as readily available as for the summer programs, these represent additional opportunities for dedicated individuals.
Sub-heading 2.3: Other Regional & Specialized Programs
Goldman Sachs also runs various regional and specialized programs, such as the Graduate Campus Hiring Program in India for non-engineering degrees, or specific programs for diverse talent. These contribute to the overall intern count, though they may have different timelines and eligibility criteria.
Step 3: Navigating the Gauntlet – The Application & Interview Process
Securing a Goldman Sachs internship is a multi-stage process that demands meticulous preparation and strategic thinking.
Sub-heading 3.1: The Online Application – Your First Impression
Resume/CV and Cover Letter: This is your initial point of contact. Your resume should highlight accomplishments, not just tasks, and quantify everything possible (e.g., "Reduced project time by 15%" instead of "Worked on projects"). A compelling cover letter (up to 300 words) should clearly articulate why Goldman Sachs and why the specific division. Adding genuine interests can also help you stand out.
Multiple Applications: You can typically apply to up to 4 separate business/location combinations in a given recruiting year. However, apply strategically and don't create multiple email addresses to bypass this limit, as your application will be auto-rejected.
Timeliness: Applications are often reviewed on a rolling basis, so applying as soon as programs open is highly encouraged.
Sub-heading 3.2: The HireVue Interview – Automated Assessment
If your online application passes the initial screening, you'll likely be invited for a HireVue interview. This is a pre-recorded video interview where an AI system analyzes your responses.
Format: Expect 4-6 questions, with approximately 30 seconds of preparation time per question and 2 minutes to record your answer. You usually get only one attempt per question.
Content: Goldman Sachs HireVues typically focus on behavioral questions ("Tell me about a time you ..."), assessing your fit with the firm's culture, problem-solving abilities, and teamwork skills.
Tips for Success:
Dress professionally in business attire.
Practice extensively before the actual interview.
Address all parts of the question and provide complete responses.
Let your personality shine and be yourself, but maintain a professional demeanor.
Pay attention to body language and enthusiasm.
Sub-heading 3.3: The Superday (Final Round) – The Decisive Interviews
If you excel in the HireVue, you'll be invited to a "Superday" for summer analyst candidates, or final interviews for other programs. This is an intense, typically in-person (though sometimes virtual) assessment day.
Structure: Superdays usually involve 3-5 back-to-back interviews, each lasting around 30 minutes.
Interview Focus: Interviews will be a mix of:
Behavioral Questions: Deep dives into your experiences, leadership, teamwork, and how you handle challenges. Be ready to articulate why Goldman Sachs and why the specific division in detail, demonstrating genuine interest beyond prestige or money.
Technical Questions: Depending on the role, you may face questions on financial modeling, accounting, market analysis, or specific industry knowledge. While Goldman Sachs is known for emphasizing behavioral fit, a fundamental understanding of finance and accounting is crucial.
Case Studies/Brainteasers: You might be presented with a business problem or a logical puzzle to assess your critical thinking and problem-solving skills under pressure.
Preparation is Paramount:
Know your resume inside out! Be ready to discuss every experience and accomplishment in detail.
Research Goldman Sachs thoroughly: Understand their values, recent financial reports, and news.
Stay updated on global business news: Be prepared to discuss current macroeconomic or business-related events.
Ask thoughtful questions to your interviewers. This demonstrates engagement and curiosity.
Network beforehand through firm events or informational interviews if possible.
Step 4: The Waiting Game and Beyond – Offers and What Comes Next
After the Superday, there's often a period of waiting, which can range from a few weeks to a couple of months.
Offer Rate: As mentioned earlier, the offer rate is extremely low. For instance, in 2024, the acceptance rate for Goldman Sachs internships was around 0.8%. This highlights the immense competition.
What if you don't get an offer? Don't be discouraged! The process is highly selective, and many talented individuals don't receive an offer on their first attempt. Use the experience to refine your application strategy, strengthen your skills, and explore other opportunities. Networking and building your profile are ongoing processes.
FAQs: Your Quick Guide to Goldman Sachs Internships
Here are 10 related FAQ questions, starting with "How to," along with their quick answers:
How to increase my chances of getting a Goldman Sachs internship? Focus on a strong academic record, relevant extracurricular activities (especially leadership roles), quantifiable accomplishments on your resume, tailored cover letters, and thorough preparation for behavioral and technical interviews.
How to prepare for the Goldman Sachs HireVue interview? Practice answering common behavioral questions under timed conditions, record yourself, review your body language and enthusiasm, and ensure your answers are concise and complete.
How to make my resume stand out for Goldman Sachs? Quantify all accomplishments, highlight leadership roles, tailor your experiences to the specific division, and consider including genuine interests that showcase your personality.
How to network effectively for a Goldman Sachs internship? Attend virtual or in-person recruiting events, connect with Goldman Sachs employees on LinkedIn (with thoughtful messages), and conduct informational interviews to learn about their experiences.
How to handle technical questions in a Goldman Sachs interview? Have a fundamental understanding of finance and accounting concepts (e.g., three financial statements, valuation methods), and practice explaining them clearly and concisely.
How to demonstrate interest in Goldman Sachs during interviews? Research the firm's recent news, values, and specific initiatives. Be ready to articulate why you want to work at Goldman Sachs and in that particular division, beyond just prestige.
How to deal with rejection from a Goldman Sachs internship? Don't take it personally. The process is incredibly competitive. Seek feedback if possible, analyze areas for improvement, and continue to apply for other opportunities.
How to find out about Goldman Sachs off-cycle internships? Regularly check the Goldman Sachs careers website under their "Students" or "Programs and Internships" sections. They often list off-cycle opportunities there.
How to prepare for a Goldman Sachs Superday? Practice both behavioral and technical questions extensively, stay updated on market news, prepare thoughtful questions to ask interviewers, and ensure you're well-rested and confident.
How to secure an offer after a Goldman Sachs internship? Perform exceptionally well during your internship, proactively seek opportunities to contribute, network within your team and across divisions, demonstrate a strong work ethic, and be a positive team player.