How well do Buy-side Equity Research Associates place into top MBA programs?

How well do research associates from large shops like Fidelity/PIMCO/BlackRock place into H/S/W and other M7s compared to IB + PE or MBB candidates? Are buy-side candidates also lumped into the same "finance candidate" bucket and compete with people from IB backgrounds? Curious as someone about to enter a 2-year rotational program out of undergrad at one of the firms above. 

Also, is there a difference of b-school chances between the asset type that you cover (fixed-income, equities, alternatives)? Is there more desire for candidates from FI backgrounds than equities?

Would appreciate any insight.

11 Comments
 

Anecdotal evidence, but know a few people who were associates at Fidelity/Wellington/similar firms. Most of them placed in M7 but not HSW- think the main ones were Sloan and CBS. Not sure how much of this is their geographical interests/school focuses (seems like tons of AM people come out of CBS) vs not getting into HSW, but these are people with solid undergrad pedigree and roles at really strong AM firms. 

 

Chances are on par with IB + PE and MBB candidates. Lots of large AM folks come from a top MBA program and many only recruit from top MBAs so there's a strong relationship between large AMs and b-schools. Top schools sometimes do info sessions just for one firm. No diff. in terms of asset class. What I've seen make a difference is who you end up working with and what school they went to, they often have more pull with the schools. I know of an investor that basically sends all his associates HBS, it's almost rigged.

 

AM MBA placement is excellent. Our firm consistently sends kids to M7 with Columbia, Booth, Wharton, and HBS standing out as frequent destinations. Just like any other pre/post-MBA career track, AMs will get juniors frequently admitted to B-schools they frequently hire MBA grads from. Any of the big names or reputable “boutique” managers will do excellently, of course assuming candidates are well rounded (good academic background, good scores, interviews, etc)

 

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