Hi all,
Curious to get people's thoughts on MBA programs. I am coming from a non-finance background and I am hoping to use my MBA to pivot into an IB role in New York. I am choosing between LBS, Darden, Ross, and Johnson.
I am leaning towards LBS for the international experience but would like to come back and work in NYC after graduation. I am an American so work authorization is not an issue.
Thoughts on the programs?
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Following* Will probably have to choose between similar MBA schools when I apply
I would go LBS.
Darden is the best for NYC banking on that list
Cornell - Johnson: IB - 16% - ~44/274 salary: $131,373 bonus: $56,516 Northeast %: 51
UVA - Darden: IB - 15% - ~50/334 salary: $128,573 bonus: $49,659 Northeast: 25%
Michigan - Ross: IB - 7.2% - ~29/407 salary: $126,190
**I believe the %s for northeast are all job function, and while self selection plays a role, it also affects alumni base
I would cut Ross, and then consider which location/people you’d enjoy more between the others. Someone else would know more about coming back to recruit from LBS
I would say Cornell and UVA are probably your best bet. Both programs have targeted recruiting by virtually every NYC BB and some EB. Can't speak for LBS and Ross... I would also add nobody is likely to put too much of a premium on the "international experience" of studying at LBS in NYC... just my $0.02
All are schools that can get you into IB so I'd pick where you feel most confortable but would put Johnson at Darden above the others.
A few items to consider: 1) At Johnson you'll be expected to recruit in person weekly in NYC--if you feel like you are best networking one-on-one this may give it an advantage 2) Darden, given it's distance, does most of the networking through phone calls, with bankers making multiple trips to the school and students doing a "Week on Wall Street"--so if you prefer that approach Darden probably is your best bet
I'd note that both these schools are core schools at most, if not all, Wall Street banks, which means you will be competing for a set number of dedicated spots for your school--so you won't be at an advantage or disadvantage at either in terms of proximity to New York.
3) Ross can certainly get you to NYC but also will have Chicago positions recruiting there, so if you like that optionality that may be a good bet. They are similar to Darden in that recruiting is done largely on the phone, with a Week on Wall St Trek duing the fall. 4) I'd honestly rank LBS last--while it's a good school and you can make the leap to the US, the LBS business school alumni network is much smaller than the other schools on Wall St (would guess it's much more pominent in London finance), which is even further exacerbated when you consider Cornell, Michigan and UVa also have very large undergrad alumni networks in the US, which also helps if you went to the b-school, albeit to a lesser degree. Also, if LBS is on the "15-18 month" MBA plan that most European business schools are on, you won't be able to do an internship, which is critical in getting a full time offer.
Wouldn't hurt to try Columbia and NYU Stern. Lots of representation from these schools in NY as well
Agree with what others have said. All are great options and can allow you to break into banking.
However if you are set on NYC banking, I would give the edge to Johnson and Darden. If you want an international experience, most top U.S. business schools will give you the option to do a semester exchange with an international business school.
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