Two year program in PE - when to start preparing for B-School, and when to start recruiting?

I am about to start my first year in PE. I was curious about when people typically start preparing for business school (i.e. studying for GMAT, hiring a consultant, etc.). In the case I wanted to skip the B-School route, when do I start recruiting for a post-two year role?

Thanks in advance

7 Comments
 
Most Helpful

Ideally take GMAT before you start... if not take it by June / July. Hire consultant in ~April. Start applications in June after your GMAT. Stage it - HBS / GSB round 1. Wharton round 2 if the first 2 dont pan out.

 

You're welcome - happy to provide a recommendation if you would like to PM me (someone who is top notch, very involved, and has an outstanding track record, but does not advertise).

He is not my consultant but rather the consultant of someone close to me; I chose very poorly (my consultant was a waste of $XX,000) and I am very envious of the person receiving the services of the consultant I would recommend.

 

Est natus incidunt earum aut. Quam quam et ipsa quos autem excepturi sit. Corrupti distinctio recusandae quia repudiandae. Ut aliquam ut aut blanditiis adipisci et. Sunt atque aperiam repellat officia cum. Consequatur dolores ut consectetur ad.

Career Advancement Opportunities

July 2026 Private Equity

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

Overall Employee Satisfaction

July 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

July 2026 Private Equity

  • Bain Capital 99.6%
  • The Riverside Company 99.3%
  • Blackstone Group 98.9%
  • Starwood Capital Group 98.5%
  • KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts) 98.1%

Total Avg Compensation

July 2026 Private Equity

  • Principal (9) $653
  • Director/MD (24) $547
  • Vice President (99) $363
  • 3rd+ Year Associate (104) $281
  • 2nd Year Associate (235) $272
  • 1st Year Associate (411) $229
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (33) $157
  • 2nd Year Analyst (97) $134
  • 1st Year Analyst (272) $124
  • Intern/Summer Associate (38) $81
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (355) $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
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
5
dosk17's picture
dosk17
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
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
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...”