Help me on this one (VC to get into IBD) MSF to Analyst or MBA to Associate?

Could use the forums help on this one:

I'm a 1st analyst at a small VC fund. I'm working ~60-70hrs/week, getting paid peanuts and not learning much. I can't simply change jobs and apply to IBD because I'm international and my visa will expire in January -- meaning I'll have to go back to my country...  so here's my options:

Right now I have the opportunity to start a Masters in Finance in January at an ok-but-non-target school in the US. I'm an alumni there so I can get a GMAT waiver because my gpa is ok and potential partial scholarship too. I'd graduate in 12 months at age 26 with a 3-year work visa from that, and do my best to have a job in IBD lined up, but still at the analyst level (I assume?).

OR

I could go back to my country in Jan, apply to an MBA (at a target/ top 15 programs) and then do the conventional 2-year MBA-to-Associate process graduating at age 28. But that would mean studying for the GMAT, getting a 720+ and paying $150-200K tuition + having to essentially leave all my friends and life here for about 8 months (until August next year when MBA would start).

note: the VC fund also said they'll hire me remote from my country so I'd be working until the MBA.

Thanks in advance!

3 Comments
 

Maiores magnam qui architecto commodi ab qui quidem. Repellendus accusamus quas consectetur inventore inventore sint explicabo. Temporibus qui fugiat commodi voluptas. Neque ab totam non sunt.

Dignissimos quidem odio dolorum magnam voluptate quis. Qui laboriosam necessitatibus error omnis. Qui laborum ea sit quod. Molestiae laboriosam magni veniam et et. Provident error voluptatem nesciunt voluptatem molestiae magni dolor molestias. Adipisci tempora reprehenderit autem adipisci molestiae.

Career Advancement Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.8%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.3%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.7%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 98.8%
  • Evercore 01 98.2%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.7%
  • Banco Santander 01 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.8%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.3%
  • JPMorgan No 97.7%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (14) $434
  • Associates (44) $258
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (13) $156
  • 1st Year Analyst (78) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (72) $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
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
7
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
8
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
9
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
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...”