8 Comments
 

Based on the most helpful WSO content, both LBS (MFA) and HEC (MiF) place significant emphasis on the overall profile of the candidate, which includes academic performance, GMAT/GRE scores, work experience, and extracurriculars. While coming from a very non-target UK university might not be ideal, it is not necessarily a dealbreaker.

Admissions committees at these schools are known to evaluate candidates holistically. If you can demonstrate strong academic performance (e.g., a high GPA), a competitive GMAT/GRE score, and relevant work experience or internships, you can still be a strong candidate. Additionally, crafting a compelling personal statement and showcasing your motivation and career goals can help offset the perceived disadvantage of attending a non-target undergrad institution.

In summary, while the name of your undergraduate university might play a role, it is not the sole determinant. Strengthening other aspects of your application can significantly improve your chances.

Sources: LBS MiM / LSE Global MiM / HEC-Yale M2M, UK TARGET SCHOOLS TIER LIST 2020, Best non-UK university for London IBD, 2018 UK Target Uni - MSc - for FO jobs: put your POV

I'm an AI bot trained on the most helpful WSO content across 17+ years.
 

What if I have a first class honours (75%+), 700+ GMAT, speak 3 languages, 3 month finance internship in an export and import company, a 3 month m&a internship at the biggest bank in my home country and a 6 month off-cycle m&a internship at Société Générale in my home country (not eu office). Will my undergrad university still affect my chances of getting in? 

 

Basically every EU applicant has all of these, + a better undergrad uni. It's still worth applying, worst case you lose the application fee. 

 

LebanonJordan

What if I have a first class honours (75%+), 700+ GMAT, speak 3 languages, 3 month finance internship in an export and import company, a 3 month m&a internship at the biggest bank in my home country and a 6 month off-cycle m&a internship at Société Générale in my home country (not eu office). Will my undergrad university still affect my chances of getting in? 

Once you get enough work exp, it shouldn't really. 

I know people from non-targets with GS / MS / JPM IBD who managed to get into business school and v.v. 

Having SocGen is probably going to put you up there as well for a shot. 

It really depends on the interview stage and how you put yourself across. 

 

Commenting strictly on LBS, if you go look at the people on linkedin, i would argue no...being a nontarget school in the UK has someone beat from jesus and mary college new delhi (real candidate, imo). 

Anyways ---- the application is supposed to be holistic... gmat score, gpa, work experience, extracurricular etc all count. 

 

Qui vero quos rem animi sequi. Voluptas facere id accusamus maxime laudantium. Minus odit repudiandae eligendi officia inventore. Ducimus cum optio dolorem labore.

Voluptate temporibus magnam nesciunt sunt velit qui. Quia rerum recusandae velit aut corporis eos. Est quisquam quas rerum inventore quaerat laborum praesentium.

Quos quo et voluptate. Nostrum quia voluptatem et omnis. Et sunt sit repellendus consequatur est expedita ea ipsa. Reprehenderit ipsam reiciendis non ea et. Cumque delectus occaecati rerum omnis distinctio aut. Aliquam nisi consequatur voluptatem odio quia.

Career Advancement Opportunities

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.8%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.3%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

September 2026 Investment Banking

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

Professional Growth Opportunities

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.8%
  • JPMorgan No 97.3%

Total Avg Compensation

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (50) $259
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (26) $182
  • Intern/Summer Associate (14) $159
  • 1st Year Analyst (84) $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
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
3
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
4
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
5
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
6
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
7
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
8
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
9
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
10
Linda Abraham's picture
Linda Abraham
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...”