Would I be competitive and break into investment banking with an MBA?

Hi, I am an electrical engineer in Silicon Valley with 1 years experience (so far) and was thinking of switching to investment banking. I'm about to crack the books open to start studying for the GMAT and get into a top tier school for my MBA.
(FYI - I have other work experience but working as a valet and other blue collar jobs through school, don't know if that contributes to the overall work experience the banking industry looks for)

My undergrad stats are: BS in electrical engineering from UCSD. 3.44 overall gpa. 3.01 major gpa.

If I were to get an MBA from UCLA or a top tier school with a good GPA, would I have a good chance and great opportunities to get into investment banking?
(looking to work in Southern California, but open to work in SF and the west coast, who knows maybe NY, but mainly would like to stay on the Westside.)

Thanks in advance.

2 Comments
 

You sound competitive for the T10 as long as you do really well on the GMAT and get some more work experience.

An interesting extra-curricular or two wouldn't hurt as your GPA will be a little below the median. Also, blue collar work doesn't mean anything unless maybe it's a part of your personal statement.

Please don't quote Patrick Bateman.
 

Et quo qui modi velit ipsum aperiam. Sunt sunt enim aut ut. Voluptatem magni dolor esse voluptate voluptatem dolor sed. Eum sed ullam laborum omnis mollitia.

Molestias cum quae quod nihil. Molestias aut animi expedita laudantium ut adipisci. Qui sed ea voluptatem optio distinctio odio quia.

Consectetur numquam qui deserunt placeat sit dignissimos incidunt. Sed nam et sit voluptates. In id accusamus eos corrupti omnis velit.

Sed qui numquam animi et tenetur qui quas. Quo porro omnis assumenda ut quia dolor. Fugiat et error eos similique recusandae vel quidem. Consequatur iusto adipisci ducimus molestiae molestiae natus. Voluptatem mollitia nostrum nemo et aut sint expedita. Provident suscipit ab repellendus maxime et enim.

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 No 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...”