Been on my mind recently... In the path that many of us have chosen, IB -> PE -> MBA -> PE/etc. is there ever a time when you could step away from it all for a bit and still be able to return? I'm talking about taking like a year off to travel/work at a surf shop at the beach/whatever floats your boat. The only time I could see it remotely working would be immediately prior to business school. But even then, is it realistic to do that? Could you gain admission to a top MBA and then defer for one year under the guise of personal growth/work ethic/broadening horizons/etc? Could you gain admission and immediately quit your job and get 8ish months to yourself without serious repercussion? I'm sure schools wouldn't love it, but would they allow either of those? Seems like a massive risk to take that leap prior to applying even if you could spin it somehow... Any of you guys done something like this or know people who have? Thanks for the input
Trending Content - Investment Banking Forum
| +202 | UBS Accused of Favoring H-1B Workers While Cutting U.S.-Born Employees | 50 | 13h |
| +105 | IB Energy Drink Tier List / Ranking | 72 | 14m |
| +88 | PJT M&A Group Selection 2026 | 13 | 1d |
| +81 | ONLY THESE BANKS OR YOU STRUCK OUT | 28 | 12h |
| +40 | Firm Thinks I'm Lying About Offer | 17 | 26m |
| +38 | Feedback for internship first desk at IBD BB - personal fit, "don't be too confident" | 28 | 1h |
| +29 | Does BofA still pay its associates rat pellets? | 14 | 1d |
| +29 | Stay at Weak Dealflow Team or Lateral? | 7 | 1h |
| +19 | Updated JPM Group Rankings | 31 | 14h |
| +19 | VP Deal Origination Credit | 2 | 1d |
Career Resources
I took a year off for international travel and personal development, and it was a bit of a pain in the ass to get back in the work force. I quit a post-MBA level job, but I would recommend doing it after you gain acceptance to B school but before you start the program. That would make a lot more sense than what I did.
It was one of the best things I have done from a personal growth perspective, but it hurt my career trajectory somewhat for a few subsequent years.
I mean MBA applications are usually due on Sept/Oct, Nov/Dec, and January for Rounds 1, 2, and 3 respectively. Then the programs usually start in mid August, meaning if you were to apply Round 1, you theoretically have a 8~9 month gap in between. Now the question is will your employer be chill with you leaving right after you submit your applications.
I'd do it when you have an MBA offer in hand. I know of quite a few people who deferred for a year and spent that "gap year" doing something non IB / PE related.
Regarding staying in industry, taking a year off, then coming back right after....I have never seen it done and would imagine that returning becomes difficult.
Inventore officia sed asperiores quia temporibus magni. Nostrum aliquid ea eveniet dolore. Ut vero aperiam assumenda ut. Tempora repellendus sunt excepturi. Nulla nulla iure maiores qui voluptatum.
Cupiditate quia facilis itaque dolorum. Eos aut ea dolor illo. Sapiente enim velit aut in doloribus.
Vitae id similique rerum. Nostrum natus et quaerat praesentium.
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...