MBB 2027 PE Recruiting, is Top-Bucket Required?

Beginning second year at MBB and preparing for 2027 recruiting. Seems like things may kickoff by Q1 2026 at which point I will have received my first review and I know HH / MDs may ask for it. If I don't get a top-bucket rating will I not even be able to get interviews? Know this may sound dramatic but also I know how competitive this process is.. :/

Will be focusing on networking hard before anything kicks off, but will I be at a serious disadvantage if I didn't get it in most recent cycle? (FWIW, my teammates all vouch for me as a team member and this was somewhat out of my control given certain staffing particulars, etc. but am looking to get it on the next cycle)

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