What experience for MBA? FLDP vs boutique/mm IB

I currently work at a FLDP in the midwest and would like to get some opinions if I should pursue IB still. I have always been interested in IB and still am very interested, however my first priority is to get into a MBA business schools">M7 MBA. I am 8months out of undergrad from a non-target and, while in undergrad I did not focus enough efforts on networking so naturally I ended up in Corp Fin at a F200. I have been networking since January but as I consider what background would get me into a top MBA best I am looking for some opinions. Is it worth going to a small boutique/lower tier mm over my current FLDP program (Europe international 6 month rotation during 3Q13)? Should I stick it out until I return 1Q14 and start re-networking to try to break in as an IB analyst? Will that be too late since I will have 1.5 years of full time experience? As a personal goal, top MBA is a must. Should I just stay with the F200, try to get senior analyst as fast as I can until I apply for MBA?

14 Comments
 

I guess not a must... but first generation immigrant, came to US for education but went to a non target undergrad since I had a full ride there and couldn't afford out of state. Now I work and saved money and can afford education at top university, I understand you don't learn anything but I'd dish out 100k for my parents to not give up their home country for a non target school. Also could enter IB at an associate level instead so I figured it'd be a feasible option.

 

Congratulations on the offers.

Actually, I just wanted to ask you a question since I am in a similar situation. I have 2 summers of experience of working at banks in various roles and now I am interviewing for a F100 FLDP.

If I get asked why F100 CF and why not Finance/Banks - how should I answer this question?

Thanks.

 

you could talk about how you're not entirely sure where you want to go in your career and an FLDP would be a great experience in the sense that it would allow to you be exposed to a variety of different areas. also, you could talk about how you eventually want to move up the ranks in a large corporation or even some say some bs thing about wanting to be part of company that produces something more tangible than banks

i actually didn't get drilled too hard on that question though

 

This is funny. I was in this EXACT position last year, I kid you not! (It was for an internship though)

I had to choose between FLDP at an insurance company and a boutique (non-NYC). I went with the F100, and leveraged that to land at a MM for FT.

My advice - pick a household name. The insurance company is MetLife I assume? If not, I'm sure its a top household name considering F100

 

Voluptas repellat qui quia molestiae perspiciatis. Sint reprehenderit ut voluptas accusamus ut. Ut adipisci natus atque. Veniam dolorem tempora aperiam non.

Magnam nemo voluptatum aut et. Temporibus aperiam delectus ex quo sapiente earum quidem. Minus expedita ducimus tempore voluptatem quibusdam consequuntur.

Voluptate magni quia ea doloremque id ea officia autem. Quidem et aut fugiat et autem. Vel velit voluptatem similique consectetur. Est qui dolores quae adipisci eum veritatis eaque omnis.

Vero optio deleniti id vel. Qui consequatur non maiores sint. Tenetur nemo corrupti dignissimos error voluptatum reiciendis.

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%
  • Evercore No 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 01 98.3%
  • BMO Capital Markets 13 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 (16) $429
  • Associates (46) $258
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (14) $159
  • 1st Year Analyst (80) $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
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
3
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
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
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
8
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
9
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
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...”