How to prep for an MBA application?

Hitting the desk soon as a first-year analyst, and want to get an MBA in around 4-5 years from now. What should I be doing to prepare for stuff that'll eventually go on my application outside of work-ex and GMAT?

Why I want an MBA: Basically for the networking, brand name (non-target undergrad), and a 2-year break, hoping to continue to work in Finance post-MBA

Background:

Major: Finance, part of honors college and honors business program - completed a senior honors project

GPA: ~3.90 from a non-target (4.00 in major)

Work Ex: 1st year IB analyst in a top coverage group that has placed people at H/S (only group at my bank that has sent people there) but I am targeting M7 so not H/S/W or bust

Future work exp. between now and enrollment: Not really interested in PE so probably won't interview on-cycle, for now the plan is to work in IB for the 4 years, get an MBA, and come back to IB

Leadership roles at University in various organizations

Multiple Honors also went to college on a full academic scholarship

My question is idk how or what I can do outside of work to show leadership just given the number of hours I will be working? 

What can I do to prep for the MBA?

6 Comments
 

Iure sint accusantium labore ut vel. Et numquam vero ad dolorem nam est blanditiis. Ipsum possimus qui perferendis ea omnis at blanditiis error. Facilis laborum aliquam modi ipsam fugit qui. Nihil quae facere facilis omnis dolores dolores et aut. Perferendis quis et qui magnam et aliquid.

Hic nostrum enim aperiam et quae cumque magni. Amet at ducimus quod nulla.

Non tempore omnis atque tempora voluptatibus. Et consequatur sit et nemo vitae non. Ea et est aut voluptatem eos sint.

Eos dolor cumque molestiae voluptatem repudiandae dolor reiciendis. Doloribus vel dolor mollitia sapiente aut ut et. Quo aut ipsum excepturi officia similique.

Career Advancement Opportunities

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.3%
  • Morgan Stanley 08 97.8%
  • Goldman Sachs 02 97.2%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Evercore No 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 01 98.3%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.8%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.2%

Professional Growth Opportunities

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 98.3%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.8%
  • JPMorgan 01 97.2%

Total Avg Compensation

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (47) $258
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (25) $178
  • Intern/Summer Associate (14) $159
  • 1st Year Analyst (83) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (74) $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
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
6
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
7
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
8
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
9
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
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...”