Value of MBA for BB analysts that went to non-target schools?

Currently deciding if I want to study and take the gmat and apply to some of the deferred mba programs during my senior year of college.

For background, I'm currently a junior at non-target about to start as a SA at a BB that has around 100% offer rate for ft within my group. GPA 3.85, internships at f500 company, mm trading desk, now BB every summer during college.

What kind of roadblocks will I encounter as I progress in my career from a leadership perspective? How much less likely is it that I could stay at a PE fund if I break in after working 2 years as an analyst at my BB?

I'd have to pay for the MBA myself and will graduate undergrad with about $30k debt. Wouldn't consider attending anything that's not M7.

Any advice is appreciated, but primarily looking for advice from more senior members. 

4 Comments
 
Most Helpful

I don't know if I'd approach the question from the perspective of what an MBA gets you. Id approach it from the perspective of where you'd like to be and if an MBA can help you get there.

Problem with the deferred programs is that most college kids just don't know, so its tough to tell a compelling story.

From your standpoint, if you really feel like you want to do something to advance your career right right now. Id advise just networking and talking to people. The best thing about networking when you don't really need anything is that there's no pressure. You can just get an impression of what their day to day is like and if that sounds interesting. Once you get a handle on that, maybe it makes sense to start thinking about how an MBA helps, but I suspect the most important thing will still be networking, get an FT offer, and learning as much as you can over the summer.

 

Quos cum mollitia error. Itaque et sunt et quae enim. Nisi consequatur quis dolores. Aut consequatur cupiditate voluptatem. Voluptatem delectus ad facilis similique praesentium aspernatur ratione consequatur. Id sint quidem eaque dolorem.

Career Advancement Opportunities

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.3%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.7%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 98.9%
  • Evercore 01 98.3%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.7%
  • Banco Santander 01 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 98.3%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.7%
  • JPMorgan 01 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (15) $434
  • Associates (46) $258
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (13) $156
  • 1st Year Analyst (79) $150
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (73) $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
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
5
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
6
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
7
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
8
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
9
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
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...”