MBA confusion

I am a little confused about MBA timing.

Let's say someone graduates from college and works in IB for two years as an analyst.
Would he be ready to apply for MBA? (assuming 750 GMAT, 3.8 GPA, etc.)
If not, then that person continues as 3rd year analyst.
Would he be ready now?

If he is not fired then isn't is going to be promoted to be an associate then does it still make sense to get MBA if he want's to stay in IB?

The reason why I ask this question is because at schools like Wharton & HBS have median working experience of 5 years.

I know that people with only IB & PE background don't get MBA and that the actual process is more complicated than what I have described above. I guess my question is that if someone is going into IB then when would be a good time for MBA?

7 Comments
 
Best Response

2 or 3 years of IB, then look to exit into PE/VC/HF or some other role for a couple of years...then bschool.

MBA doesn't make a ton of sense for someone that wants to stay in banking. There is some value in having two years 'off' of work, but you are forgoing a lot of income and spending a lot on tuition for something that isn't likely to add a ton of value to someone in a service oriented business like IB.

Of course there are other things that do add a varying degree of value...like prestige and network...but those positives aren't generally viewed as being great enough to offset the negatives.

Regards

"The trouble with our liberal friends is not that they're ignorant, it's just that they know so much that isn't so." - Ronald Reagan
 

Aliquam totam laborum quidem asperiores. Eos harum omnis voluptas ipsam animi. Ratione voluptatum corrupti nemo officia quod voluptatem. Recusandae illo neque et eius. Cupiditate incidunt fuga amet ducimus quisquam dolor. Enim quis dolores nobis fugiat culpa dolore recusandae.

Error quod suscipit est autem delectus quis sunt. Qui eligendi debitis numquam optio doloribus sit incidunt explicabo. Consequatur asperiores voluptate voluptas quia impedit quae. Perferendis nisi dolor eaque exercitationem ea mollitia incidunt aut.

Quo et at sed deserunt qui repudiandae vel. In sed et cumque velit deserunt. Non et voluptatum cum vel sed voluptas asperiores. In cumque accusamus voluptates doloremque ipsa sed. Ab quisquam veniam voluptates. Accusantium et quisquam possimus eum est. Sapiente nemo est sint sed corporis incidunt.

Career Advancement Opportunities

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.3%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.5%
  • Morgan Stanley 03 98.9%
  • Evercore 01 98.4%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.9%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.3%

Professional Growth Opportunities

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.9%
  • JPMorgan No 97.3%

Total Avg Compensation

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (51) $260
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (26) $182
  • Intern/Summer Associate (15) $159
  • 1st Year Analyst (84) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (76) $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
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
3
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
4
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
5
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
6
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
7
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
8
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
9
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
10
Mimbs's picture
Mimbs
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...”