Studying for GMAT or PE

Thinking about graduating a semester early/being a part-time student my last semester of college. Would studying and taking the GMAT be recommended as I know my score would be valid for 5 years so that I could apply to a deferred MBA program? Or should I just prep for on-cycle PE recruiting as I know the timeline gets earlier every year?

8 Comments
 

Thanks. How many hours a week would you say are typically spent studying for the GMAT? Also would you recommend applying to a deferred MBA program if I wanted to recruit for PE after a few years in IB?

 

It's always better to decline a deferred MBA acceptance in the future than to wish you had an acceptance to decide on

 

Was in the exact same position as you 1 year ago. Only applied hsw - have friends w 725+ gmats, great offers and essays accepted to none or just w. I focused all my time on apps and got my ass kicked when on cycle came around. A top fund significantly helps out when doing mba regardless and as you’ll learn Harvard isn’t looking for another banker / private equity guy in deferred round. I’d recommend focusing on PE prep, becoming strong so when recruiting comes around, you get a top fund and down the line H or S

 

Nisi saepe modi aliquam doloribus. Nihil libero inventore reiciendis soluta ea. Ullam maiores id eum voluptas molestiae voluptatum similique. Id maiores consectetur eius ipsam. Enim quo debitis nostrum architecto aut ut voluptas. Ullam error provident aliquam et ullam assumenda. Ut excepturi et aut aspernatur quis nam est voluptatem.

Quisquam aut occaecati aperiam saepe quibusdam. Molestias nesciunt facilis non reprehenderit id rerum sint amet. Aut autem excepturi commodi quas consectetur et quis. Temporibus iste quae magnam et ut praesentium. Ea et deleniti fugit nobis eveniet quo nihil.

Dolores dolorem optio quae aut sit aliquid et. Veritatis neque tempore provident rerum sunt. Inventore corporis explicabo sunt voluptatem labore. Doloremque repudiandae qui accusantium et neque et adipisci.

Tempora omnis tempora eos alias nobis deleniti. Fuga vitae eligendi qui sit in voluptatum. Harum iusto possimus corporis perferendis eum. Distinctio nostrum excepturi voluptas ut. Laudantium eos unde ut aliquam doloribus ea commodi aliquid. Earum officiis aspernatur ab ut sequi officia.

Career Advancement Opportunities

August 2026 Private Equity

  • The Riverside Company 99.6%
  • Blackstone Group 99.2%
  • KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts) 98.9%
  • Warburg Pincus 98.5%
  • Vista Equity Partners 98.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

August 2026 Private Equity

  • Blackstone Group 99.6%
  • KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts) 99.2%
  • The Riverside Company 98.9%
  • Ardian 98.5%
  • Warburg Pincus 98.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

August 2026 Private Equity

  • Bain Capital 99.6%
  • The Riverside Company 99.2%
  • Blackstone Group 98.9%
  • Starwood Capital Group 98.5%
  • KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts) 98.1%

Total Avg Compensation

August 2026 Private Equity

  • Principal (9) $653
  • Director/MD (24) $547
  • Vice President (99) $363
  • 3rd+ Year Associate (105) $280
  • 2nd Year Associate (235) $272
  • 1st Year Associate (413) $231
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (33) $157
  • 2nd Year Analyst (97) $134
  • 1st Year Analyst (272) $124
  • Intern/Summer Associate (38) $81
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (355) $61
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
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
5
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
6
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
7
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
8
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
9
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
10
Jamoldo's picture
Jamoldo
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...”