2nd Year HF Analyst Contemplating MBA vs. IR Masters

I am currently a HF analyst (2.5 YOE) at a fund ($3-5bn) doing capital structure investing (equities/HY/ad-hoc distressed stuff). Due to my international background, I am waiting for my last attempt of getting the H1B work visa lottery in April 2023. The lottery is notorious for its low probability (<20% every attempt) so I may end up in a situation of student visa running off and being forced out the US after April.

Given the low chance of getting the lottery, my base case is now going back to school to extend the visa status and potentially participate in the lottery again after my graduation. I am a fundamental analyst now but I also have an interest in international relations and global macro. So I am considering to position my grad school period as a transition to macro research/investing if I need to tell the story in the future.

Given my time constraint (must have an grad school offer before mid 2023), I am now exploring different optionality. One path is applying to Masters in IR/Applied Econ at Columbia SIPA, Johns Hopkins SAIS or other policy school. I am also exploring the possibility of getting a M7 MBA.

My background: Mid 20s Asian male. Graduated from a Ivy with 3.5 GPA (Transfer). Haven't taken GMAT/GRE yet (verbal is tricky as English not my first language). Went straight to a tiny PE shop after graduation and then the current firm. Can get recs from an econ professor and a family office head.

A few questions in my mind now:

- What is my chance of getting into a M7 with my background?

- Are policy schools like SIPA/SAIS viewed positively in macro research/investing recruiting? Or is MBA more preferred in recruiting into macro? My goal is to at least secure a macro research job at a bank after graduation. More ideal if straight to macro HF.

My medium-term goal is to continue my career in the US so I am quite committed to make this work. I appreciate all your perspectives! 

1 Comments
 
Most Helpful

Cupiditate qui esse a quisquam sint ad. Nobis modi temporibus tempora officiis ut repellendus. Error voluptatem consequatur amet iste eos error. Rerum non sed ab ut amet labore architecto quaerat.

Quas amet iste expedita mollitia porro. Consequatur labore aut quod dolorem et qui. Minima dolorem dolores asperiores aspernatur nobis ea culpa.

Voluptas iste nobis necessitatibus maiores. Tempore culpa consequuntur qui voluptas iusto. Et est voluptas odio enim a libero consequatur. Ducimus et voluptate consectetur dolorum quod est omnis.

Career Advancement Opportunities

October 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.9%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.4%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

October 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.5%
  • Morgan Stanley 03 98.9%
  • Evercore 01 98.4%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.9%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.4%

Professional Growth Opportunities

October 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.9%
  • JPMorgan No 97.4%

Total Avg Compensation

October 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (57) $264
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (28) $184
  • Intern/Summer Associate (16) $161
  • 1st Year Analyst (84) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (76) $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
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
3
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
4
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
5
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
6
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
7
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
8
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
9
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
10
bolo up's picture
bolo up
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...”