MBA - Better odds as a BB IB Associate or LMM/MM PE Associate?
Are the odds of getting into a top MBA program better as an Associate at a Bulge Bracket bank in NY? Or an associate at a LMM/MM private equity firm (say $1bn)?
Are the odds of getting into a top MBA program better as an Associate at a Bulge Bracket bank in NY? Or an associate at a LMM/MM private equity firm (say $1bn)?
| +219 | UBS Accused of Favoring H-1B Workers While Cutting U.S.-Born Employees | 51 | 17h |
| +110 | ONLY THESE BANKS OR YOU STRUCK OUT | 33 | 2h |
| +109 | IB Energy Drink Tier List / Ranking | 72 | 1d |
| +91 | PJT M&A Group Selection 2026 | 14 | 21h |
| +54 | Firm Thinks I'm Lying About Offer | 18 | 14h |
| +51 | Feedback for internship first desk at IBD BB - personal fit, "don't be too confident" | 29 | 1d |
| +31 | Stay at Weak Dealflow Team or Lateral? | 8 | 2h |
| +30 | Does BofA still pay its associates rat pellets? | 15 | 1d |
| +27 | Rogo AI | 6 | 10h |
| +26 | Indiana University Fraternity Pipelines | 14 | 20m |
Career Resources
.
I would say the perception of the deals you work on at the BB in a good group would be better, but honestly working at a top MM PE firms where you get solid investing experience along with valuable operations experience could be very attractive
My opinion would be the PE route. I graduated from a M7 MBA program and, for whatever reason, it seemed rare for any of my classmates to only have worked in IB. However, a lot of my classmates worked in IB and then MM or LMM PE. The diversity in experience helped them both in the coursework and recruiting.
Thanks! Do you think that might be impacted because you typically don't need an MBA to move up the ranks in banking?
Maybe, but not necessarily. I assume if you leave banking as an Associate to go to business school, you would switch careers.
What are you trying to accomplish by getting an MBA? Especially if you are an Associate at a BB?
Career switch
Career switch into what? It may be possible from your bank
I would recommend PE given the limited info. Primarily because associate level at a BB is what you exit to after your MBA. You run the risk of taking a step down (no matter what your pay will most likely be lower by going the MBA route but I assume you know this)
Delectus quas suscipit eum consequatur. Eius excepturi nemo repellendus aut id eius.
A doloribus eius quibusdam unde fugit ea. Et omnis asperiores beatae at minima facilis. Est ipsum culpa occaecati dolor blanditiis.
See All Comments - 100% Free
WSO depends on everyone being able to pitch in when they know something. Unlock with your email and get bonus: 6 financial modeling lessons free ($199 value)
or Unlock with your social account...