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BBs will have better exit ops, comp/bonus, and prestige. Potentially worse culture.
how much worse comp?
Can't give an exact number but based on what I've heard (from Blair employees) comp is lower than BBs. Would still be relatively high of course - check the WSO Company Database.
Remember that comp is different year-to-year. If you've spoken to people recently, they may have been victims of a few bad years (not necessarily, but possibly). The exit opps won't be quite as good as a BB but they place well into the upper MM/mid-MM shops. Check the websites of PE shops you want to get into in Chicago and see if they have Blair analysts to get a better idea.
edit: some of this is stuff you can try to find on your own--the other thing to do is to find analysts willing to speak with you. Since neither I nor notthehospitaler have actually worked there, what we're saying can be discovered by you and hopefully will be as you network.
Thanks MJK
Blair is a solid MM firm and places well into MM PE (not so much MF if that is what you desire afterwards). Comp may be slightly lower than from what I have heard from people I know there, but is still really good and it will not make a difference if you make 10-20k more at a higher paying shop. If you are dead set on Chicago, it is a no brainer in terms of MM IB.
Don't think exit opps at BBs in Chicago are any better than Blair's. Blair has a powerful presence in the midwest and places well at MM shops in Chicago. Can't go wrong imo.
bump
WB has a much larger analyst class than any of the BB's in Chicago. Places well into PE, analysts have gone on to MDP, GTCR, TA, Summit, etc. Comp is in line with competitors (Baird, HL, HW)
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