Are BO finance jobs competitive in MBA admissions?

I graduated from a complete non-target (3.9) and have been working for 2 years in a finance/controllers type role at a BB in NY (JPM/GS/MS). My long-term goal is IB/AM in NY, and it looks like going MBA -> Summer Associate is the most feasible way to make this happen.

Realistically, I have 2-3 years to get more work experience before I would start pursuing an MBA. So the question becomes, how are BO candidates perceived in MBA applications? Will I have access to ~top 10-20 MBA programs or do the top candidates at these schools have banking/other front office job experience? (Obviously GMAT plays a role here too).

Definitely not a question with a black and white answer, but any insight is appreciated.

3 Comments
 

Top 10 is possible if you crush the GMAT imo. Top 20 should be within reach as long as your GMAT is competitive. that coupled with your high GPA will give the adcom confidence that you can handle the academics despite the lack of prestige in your current role.

 

Necessitatibus veniam recusandae hic veniam nulla. Deserunt sunt sint voluptatibus repellat est tempora. Maiores modi rem eligendi nobis.

Voluptas praesentium aut beatae tempora eaque nobis. Similique a ut accusantium inventore et aliquid.

Dolorem sunt ea architecto aut inventore itaque. Aut est tempora quasi aut eum. Velit sed facilis mollitia voluptatem. In assumenda numquam facere nihil minima consequatur ea. Quidem harum unde est. Consequuntur deleniti cumque optio doloribus.

Corrupti voluptatem occaecati sit quaerat corporis. Quas ad quia earum illum.

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

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...”