If you're not from a BB or megafund are you screwed for M7 MBA programs?

With a 710 GMAT and 2 years analyst stint at a respected regional MM bank in an industry group think (Harris Williams/William Blair/Raymond James/BB&T) is it pointless to even try competing against the guys from BBs and mega-funds at the top MBA programs?

Will the admissions committee laugh at the MM IB experience even with top recommendations from VPs/MDs? Should I focus on tier 2 MBA schools instead?

My top choices are Harvard/YSM/Columbia or INSEAD/LBS but I heard those guys only recruit from Goldman/MS/CS/JPMorgan/BlackRock.

13 Comments
 

Will the rest of your application separate you in any way from those "other guys?" If so, then do it. If not, well, still do it. I highly doubt anadcom is going to laugh at your middle market bank and above 700 gmat score, unless of course your entire attitude is "well I consider myself mediocre. take me?"

Commercial Real Estate Developer
 
Best Response

Where did you go for undergrad and what was your GPA?

Also: White/Black/Asian/Hispanic/Other? Male/Female?

These things make a difference too.

710 GMAT | 3.7 GPA from target school | Black Female | regional middle market bank = pretty good chance at M7 MBA

On the other hand, 710 GMAT | 3.3 GPA from non-target, big state university | White Male | regional middle market bank = going to be tough for M7 MBA, especially since you are going to be competing with the people who have profiles such as:

770 GMAT | 4.0 GPA from target | White Male | Goldman Sachs TMT (2 years), KKR (2 years)

 
CorpFinanceGuy

Fucking amazing the 5 posters above me didn't realize they're being trolled.

If that's the case, the OP is a loser.

Commercial Real Estate Developer
 

Ya, I don't see the trolling aspect of it. Seems like a pretty ordinary question.

"I know you think you understand what you thought I said but I'm not sure you realize that what you heard is not what I meant."
 

Illo eaque voluptatem ipsum non. Officia ut et error consequatur. Aut porro aspernatur praesentium in qui id sed. Suscipit ut in possimus nihil atque sapiente.

Career Advancement Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.8%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.2%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.7%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 01 98.8%
  • Evercore 01 98.2%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.6%
  • Banco Santander 01 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Evercore No 98.8%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.2%
  • JPMorgan No 97.7%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (14) $434
  • Associates (43) $259
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (13) $156
  • 1st Year Analyst (75) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (68) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”