MBA LDP

The only exception that comes to mind was a PhD. One way to avoid the MBA and perhaps still get interviews may be a one year masters (plus your significant experience).

Personally, and as a recent MBA graduate, I think it’s more difficult to get your foot in the door without one as a lot of firms actively recruit on campus, etc. Definitely not an auto-ding but you’d have to do your own networking, etc. for which you’d have to be more creative outside of the structured campus recruiting (I’d suggest the usual….LinkedIn, offer to take people out for a drink to pick their brain, etc.)

I’d say it’s not a ding since most programs I’m familiar with are looking for people with the skills an MBA teaches (well-rounded, etc.) so they like your typical MBA candidate-career switcher with the finance basics.

I’d keep in mind that since these LDP programs are structured, recruiting is calendar based so new hires start together, etc.

In short, not having MBA is probably less of an issue if you have relevant experience and can handle the timing/logistics/independent recruiting aspects.

Poff – hard to say w/o knowing the firm or your background. I only interviewed for 1 LDP and another financial LDP. Non-financial (although finance was one of the rotations) was much more about fit and what I knew about the company (large retailer), as well as what aspects of their business were most exciting. The finance LDP was also about the firm, no tech questions. I have an IB/PE background so firms don’t ask me that but I would be surprised if it’s anything like analyst recruiting given that you have 6 years exp.

Obviously you’ll need to speak to what you know about the company, their industry, why the switch, etc. but the whole point of an LDP is to train and development high performing employees so in my experience, they’re not going to expect you to know finance/valuation minutiae unless you’re coming from IB, HF, PE, etc.

PM me if you need some more concrete suggestions/firms to look into. No idea where you are in the process so rather not post companies, etc. on this thread if it's just something you're considering for next year or so.

That said, if it's imminent, you need to start banging on doors soon. Based on my experience, a lot of the formal campus recruiting starts Nov/Dec/Jan and most of the larger programs are full by early spring. Not to beat a dead horse but I think it's definately possible...just more hoops and more work on your end and not difficult from an experience perspective depending on your background. Then again, everyone I know in LDPs are from my MBA class so I may be overly optimistic. Agree with above poster that if you find lack of MBA is a deal killer, a Master's could be a cheaper, faster alternative.