How Likely: MBA career switch from S&T to IBD

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Not enough details to give you an accurate assessment of your profile. However, it sounds like your job experience is good enough for most top schools. If you can get a promotion before leaving (or even just a slight bump in title) that would also help. Other important considerations for bschool applications include your undergrad school/GPA, GMAT score, community involvement, international experience, background/ethnicity/gender, recommendations, and essays. There is plenty of on campus recruiting for IB at pretty much all T15 schools, so once you get in it should be fairly easy to get an IB associate internship/FT offer. The higher ranked the school, the better your odds are of landing at a "top" firm. Most BBs recruit from all top schools, but some of the EBs and MM firms only recruit at certain schools, especially the ones known for finance.

 

In the eyes of business school admissions, BB S&T is regarded as "ticks the box in prestige and smarts, but big ? surrounding leadership/cultural fit". So the onus is on you to prove that you fit with the general top MBA mentality via your ECs and your essays.

In parallel, you'll need a GMAT. The GMAT is what determines what tier of school you can realistically position yourself for.

If you get into a Top 15 program, you will absolutely have a shot at IBD. IBD recruiting is a networking game that rewards stamina and cultural conformity/fit. Plain and simple.

The truth is you're the weak. And I'm the tyranny of evil men. But I'm tryin', Ringo. I'm tryin' real hard to be the shepherd.
 

Do you think LGBTQ will be a hindrance for me in terms of entry to IBD? I know all the bulge brackets push for diversity & inclusion, but I'm wondering how much of a deficiency my sexual orientation will be in terms of fitting culturally with certain banks/groups in BB IBD. I'm not the flamboyant type of guy, but I do not hide the fact that I'm LGBTQ if someone asks me who I'm dating.

Also, would it be too early if I apply to B-School during my 2nd year as analyst? So by the time I matriculate I will have 3 years under my belt. I'm asking for the strength of my candidacy in terms of admissions to MBA & recruitment for BB IBD.

 

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