Going to Grad School to IB

I’ve got a few options moving forward and this one seems to be stumping me a bit.
I’ve been in REDACTED most of my career, REDACTED trading on the sell side, now a buy side junior PM on the REDACTED at a top 10 asset manager. And unfortunately comp isn’t keeping me convinced this is a place to stay for the next 5 years.

I’ve always been interested in pursuing an MBA and banking, but due to personal/family issue during undergrad, my plan took a turn.

Been working full time since graduating in 29 - now I’m turning 32 this year and have a strong application at REDACTED.

Given my background in TRADING and age - do I have a shot to get into banking? Ideally stay in the south (Dallas, Charleston etc), not interested in going up North.

REPE is the end goal - Done a few private deals, a few running my own on the side, and the whole loan experience i believe would make me a great candidate.

Thanks for any insight.

6 Comments
 

You're going to Vandy or you have just applied to Vandy? You might consider Duke and UVA as well if you want to remain in the south. 

"If you always put limits on everything you do, physical or anything else, it will spread into your work and into your life. There are no limits. There are only plateaus, and you must not stay there, you must go beyond them." - Bruce Lee
 

Quos saepe quod quisquam nulla quas. Consequatur ducimus mollitia qui provident voluptas ab aspernatur. Consequatur perspiciatis similique est voluptas quod. Repellendus deserunt est porro illum rerum.

Suscipit quia possimus molestiae voluptas culpa officia. Illo autem non omnis.

Career Advancement Opportunities

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 08 97.8%
  • Goldman Sachs 02 97.3%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.5%
  • Evercore No 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 01 98.4%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.8%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.3%

Professional Growth Opportunities

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.8%
  • JPMorgan 01 97.3%

Total Avg Compensation

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (48) $259
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (25) $178
  • Intern/Summer Associate (14) $159
  • 1st Year Analyst (83) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (75) $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
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
kanon's picture
kanon
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...”