Is 25 to old to start IB

Hi Guys,

My plan after my software degree is to do an MBA at a top tier college and planning of finishing my CFA qualification by then.

Once I finish my MBA I will be between 25-27 depending if all goes to plan. Do you think this is to old to get into IB or AM?

Also by that time I will have around 5yrs experience in software development

Thanks

11 Comments
 

In any case, MBAs start in IB as associates. 25 would be several years younger than the majority of your associate cohort.

If anything, I would be more concerned about getting into a sufficiently strong MBA program to begin with. I understand you have a unique situation since your undergrad is part time, but typically you would want at least 3-4 years of professional experience out of undergrad. Even if you technically fit that profile, it may throw off adcoms at top business schools, and make them think you aren't experienced enough to make the cut.

To answer your question: no, 25 is young to start in IB as an associate.

 
Funniest

How is this even a question?

If you started at 22 fresh out of undergrad, you'd be at the analyst level for 2-3 years, making you 24-25 before starting associate.

A typical mba student has 3-5 years of work experience before starting a 2-year program. That puts the typical MBA associate age at 27-29 upon entering.

I know IB isn't quant-heavy but this is elementary school math.

 

No I started my degree when i was 19 PT which is a 5 yr course so I would be 24 when I finish from there. After that I would do either a 1 year or 2 year MBA which would bring my age to 25-26. Also I started working full time at the age of 18 in software and planning of stopping software at 24 (when I finish my undergrad) which would bring me to 6yrs full time experience.

 

Molestiae sapiente ut harum velit ea. Vero necessitatibus possimus et. Enim provident maxime facere. Et velit aliquid sit illum eaque minus velit.

A odio ex asperiores et. Itaque laboriosam ut in corporis corporis velit et. Nihil sint quo rerum cumque. Deleniti quis vero sit modi perspiciatis voluptatum perspiciatis omnis. Id neque itaque corporis ratione qui dolorem nihil.

Career Advancement Opportunities

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.3%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.8%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.2%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Evercore No 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 01 98.3%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.7%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.2%

Professional Growth Opportunities

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 98.3%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.8%
  • JPMorgan 01 97.2%

Total Avg Compensation

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (46) $258
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (14) $159
  • 1st Year Analyst (80) $150
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (73) $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...”