PE Bro Accepted to GSB/HBS/Wharton - AMA

This website has been helpful for my development so figured I’d give back. 

Little bit of background. Target undergrad -> BB IBD -> UMM PE. White male. Zero connections going into finance / did not come from a wealthy background. 
 

Why I am getting to MBA: 1) Prestige, 2) Network (social + professional), 3) Travel and create lasting memories, 4) Recruiting (PE / HF). 
 
Why I didn’t lateral: PE lateral market has been mostly dead the past few years. Couple good HF spots opened up, but not sold on that path. I was totally willing and eager to eat the opportunity cost for HBS / GSB. In the long run, the marginal savings compounded at x% won’t matter financially to me, but if it does, I’ve got bigger issues at hand 

Wharton would have been a tougher pill to swallow (less prestige) but likely still positive ROI given bleak lateral market.  

Happy to answer anything on recruiting, IBD, PE, MBA, etc 

4 Comments
 

I get the prestige / network / travel factors, but would you say the key reason you’re going is for PE / HF recruiting opps?

As in if that wasn’t a benefit but the others still are, you would not go. Digging on this, seems like a big driver is the current tough lateral market and you’re hoping the market in 2 years improves as well.

 
Most Helpful

Minus architecto nihil sunt iste repudiandae odio. Incidunt distinctio quo cumque maxime consequatur aut dicta. Accusantium ipsum omnis commodi sint.

Delectus rerum dolore minus possimus rem. Cumque esse magnam illum quidem. Consequuntur et eum accusantium praesentium. Aut dolor corrupti in quia. Quaerat sunt quis necessitatibus assumenda nihil quo. Dolorem nulla rerum voluptates qui error.

Accusantium eum sunt similique itaque incidunt. Aperiam quidem ducimus ut molestias. Voluptas tenetur fuga quam corrupti. Cupiditate omnis sit voluptatibus harum consequatur deserunt accusantium vitae.

Natus harum adipisci unde. Pariatur suscipit laboriosam quas aperiam voluptatem. Ducimus mollitia amet vero ratione doloribus. Sit aut hic vitae accusantium. Consequatur voluptates asperiores ut libero ut reiciendis qui et. Hic molestiae optio maiores corporis ut ipsam vel. Fugiat voluptatibus numquam id est animi animi quo.

Career Advancement Opportunities

August 2026 Private Equity

  • The Riverside Company 99.6%
  • Blackstone Group 99.2%
  • KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts) 98.9%
  • Warburg Pincus 98.5%
  • Vista Equity Partners 98.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

August 2026 Private Equity

  • Blackstone Group 99.6%
  • KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts) 99.2%
  • The Riverside Company 98.9%
  • Ardian 98.5%
  • Warburg Pincus 98.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

August 2026 Private Equity

  • Bain Capital 99.6%
  • The Riverside Company 99.2%
  • Blackstone Group 98.9%
  • Starwood Capital Group 98.5%
  • KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts) 98.1%

Total Avg Compensation

August 2026 Private Equity

  • Principal (9) $653
  • Director/MD (24) $547
  • Vice President (99) $363
  • 3rd+ Year Associate (105) $280
  • 2nd Year Associate (235) $272
  • 1st Year Associate (411) $231
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (33) $157
  • 2nd Year Analyst (97) $134
  • 1st Year Analyst (272) $124
  • Intern/Summer Associate (38) $81
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (356) $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
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
3
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
4
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
5
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
6
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
7
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
8
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
9
dosk17's picture
dosk17
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...”