Goldman Sachs Reports Record Low Internship Acceptance Rate Below 1%
Goldman Sachs Accepted Less Than 1% of Intern Applicants This Year. Here’s What Set Candidates Apart.

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Goldman Sachs has accepted less than 1% of applicants for its 2026 summer internship program, continuing a trend of selectivity for the third consecutive year. The firm emphasizes a diverse intern class, viewing them as future leaders, with 40% of partners having started as interns.
- 01Goldman Sachs accepted fewer than 1% of applicants for its 2026 summer internship program, marking a significant decrease from a 5% acceptance rate a decade ago.
- 02The current intern class comprises 2,500 individuals from over 500 universities, representing 90 nationalities and speaking more than 70 languages.
- 03Goldman Sachs aims to recruit candidates with diverse backgrounds, including high-level athletes and accomplished musicians, moving beyond traditional elite school candidates.
- 04The investment bank's selectivity reflects a broader trend among elite employers, with other firms like JPMorgan also reporting lower acceptance rates.
- 05Goldman plans to hire 2,500 full-time employees in July, aligning with pre-pandemic hiring levels, focusing on skills like emotional intelligence and leadership.
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Goldman Sachs has reached a historic low in its internship acceptance rate, admitting fewer than 1% of applicants for its 2026 summer program. This marks the third consecutive year of such selectivity, with the firm receiving hundreds of thousands of applications globally. According to Jacqueline Arthur, head of human capital management at Goldman, this low acceptance rate reflects the strength of the opportunity and the caliber of talent attracted. The current intern cohort consists of 2,500 individuals from over 500 universities, showcasing a diverse range of backgrounds, including high-level athletes and accomplished musicians. This shift in recruitment strategy indicates a move away from solely targeting candidates from elite institutions. The trend of increased selectivity is not unique to Goldman, as other top firms like JPMorgan have also tightened their acceptance rates. In line with its strategic recalibration, Goldman Sachs plans to hire 2,500 full-time employees in July, focusing on essential skills such as emotional intelligence and leadership, which are increasingly valued in the evolving workplace.
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The highly selective internship process at Goldman Sachs indicates a competitive job market, affecting aspiring finance professionals seeking opportunities.
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