MBA Acceptance Chances?

Upon graduating college, which path would be better to get into a top MBA program? A corporate banking or investment management role at a BB, or an IB role at a lower MM shop? I am aiming to get an MBA regardless of what I go into

My logic is that it would be better to work at a larger brand name corporation such as a bulge bracket, but have easy hours so that I could enjoy my life, study for the GMAT, write fantastic essays, and then get into a top MBA program, since the admissions staff would recognize a strong brand, see good experience and a great gmat score. Versus working at a small IB shop, where the hours would be just as horrible as any IB firm, then I would have little time to enjoy my life, and be too burnt out and too occupied to prep for the GMAT, and it is likely that none of the MBA admissions people would have even heard of the company. This seems like it would impede my ability to get accepted into a top program.

What are your thoughts?

3 Comments
 
Best Response

Officiis tempora eligendi laudantium porro hic accusamus. Numquam omnis eos error corporis eveniet. Odio vel laboriosam voluptatem aut est. Adipisci nemo dolor in in autem. Explicabo ea blanditiis qui sequi accusantium quasi quidem. Et illo quas a libero. Eius molestiae dolores nulla nesciunt omnis.

Modi ut voluptatum quisquam eum magnam omnis debitis. Fugit ex veritatis et temporibus est et. Commodi nihil non impedit voluptatum iure et labore debitis.

Architecto architecto voluptas porro et. Veritatis vel ab et beatae eum natus. Delectus exercitationem voluptas a repudiandae. Et iste similique rerum magnam cum. Numquam laudantium facere sapiente explicabo. Vero totam ratione suscipit aliquam explicabo corrupti. Sit rerum aperiam consequatur voluptas omnis qui natus.

Career Advancement Opportunities

November 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 99.0%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.4%
  • Guggenheim Partners 02 97.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 97.4%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

November 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.5%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 99.0%
  • Evercore 01 98.4%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.9%
  • BMO Capital Markets 13 97.4%

Professional Growth Opportunities

November 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 99.0%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.9%
  • JPMorgan No 97.4%

Total Avg Compensation

November 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (57) $264
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (29) $183
  • Intern/Summer Associate (16) $161
  • 1st Year Analyst (84) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (77) $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

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
3
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
4
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
5
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
6
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
7
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
8
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
9
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
10
Linda Abraham's picture
Linda Abraham
98.8
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...”