HBS / GSB vs. Lateral

Trying to decide between going to b school (HBS / GSB) vs. lateral to MF/UMM fund in a SA/VP role.

For context currently a SA at another MF/UMM. May be an opportunity to come back after b school, but generally looking for a change in scenery.

How would you think through this?

5 Comments
 

If you want to go to B School, then go. You and everyone else knows that it won’t help you in PE vs. just lateralling. Post-MBA market is tough but you’ll land something. 

So do the calculus: you either lateral and get VP a year or 2 early, or take a 2 year break, have fun and explore, and then go VP track from there. It’s a personal decision. You can’t justify it from a career or financial perspective, so it’s about what you’ll get out of it other than those things. 


Finance people think too hard lol, it’s not always about the optimum thing to do. It’s about what YOU want to do. 

 

Et et error nemo aliquid odio. Ea corporis hic libero et nostrum exercitationem. Dolor culpa sint sint dolorem.

Non et in culpa nulla dolores accusantium exercitationem. Aut maiores quisquam rerum dolorem voluptates temporibus. Laudantium aut libero aliquam suscipit est officia et.

Similique molestiae sunt quis non enim esse dolorum impedit. Quod nesciunt veniam quae dolor et quo. Quas facere ut sint ut illo ut perferendis. Ad doloremque eum voluptas esse. Voluptatem tempore saepe ab omnis omnis quibusdam fugiat. Rerum provident est eaque cupiditate.

Architecto ad at qui sit qui reiciendis ut. Exercitationem nostrum dolores nihil voluptatibus. Aut nemo at qui excepturi aliquid est. Quis voluptatem nulla praesentium ut iusto aperiam iure.

Career Advancement Opportunities

October 2026 Private Equity

  • Blackstone Group 99.6%
  • The Riverside Company 99.3%
  • KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts) 98.9%
  • Warburg Pincus 98.5%
  • Vista Equity Partners 98.2%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

October 2026 Private Equity

  • Blackstone Group 99.6%
  • KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts) 99.3%
  • The Riverside Company 98.9%
  • Ardian 98.5%
  • Warburg Pincus 98.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

October 2026 Private Equity

  • Bain Capital 99.6%
  • Blackstone Group 99.3%
  • The Riverside Company 98.9%
  • Starwood Capital Group 98.5%
  • KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts) 98.2%

Total Avg Compensation

October 2026 Private Equity

  • Principal (9) $653
  • Director/MD (24) $547
  • Vice President (100) $364
  • 3rd+ Year Associate (106) $280
  • 2nd Year Associate (236) $272
  • 1st Year Associate (414) $231
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (33) $157
  • 2nd Year Analyst (97) $134
  • 1st Year Analyst (273) $126
  • Intern/Summer Associate (40) $79
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (357) $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
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
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
7
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
8
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
9
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
10
numi's picture
numi
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...”