Hi All,
Getting ready to apply for the upcoming MBA application season (Fall 2024, enrolling Fall 2025), would appreciate your help in understanding what my chances would be for BB summer internships and BB OCR as an international student at a T15/M7.
General Questions:
- How does BB OCR work for international students (non-US Citizens or Residents) at T15/M7 MBA Programs?
- If, for some reason, M7 does not materialize, I may put in an OxBridge application with the ultimate goal of getting a London associate seat. Does BB OCR exist for OxBridge MBAs?
- Are international students "dinged" or not seen as priority given the additional hoops needed (ie visa/H1B sponsorship) ? Is it very common to give out internship & full time offers to international students or is it exceptional?
Specific Question:
- I am an older applicant (31 at time of application, 32 at matriculation, 34 by the time I would finish the (US) program and start in an associate role). I've seen different views on here ("class grandpa", etc.) but since you're in the same room as everyone else, it shouldn't matter. My background (infrastructure developer/operator, then infrastructure "PE"/family office) is quite consistent with what I want to do (Infra/natural resources IB), so not another stretch/question mark. What do you guys think?
I have entirely defendable reasons for being a bit (~3 years) late to the full time MBA party:
- spent an extra year after high school to secure a full ride scholarship from an NOC - a Hunger Games "grade 13" of sorts, super challenging to get (<1% acceptance rate; 100,000 applications, 200 seats)
- Took 5 years to graduate instead of 4 due to mental health issues (mental health was not a thing where I am from) and was required to take a medical leave of absence for a semester. That changed my life forever in a positive way, so I am glad that actually happened (otherwise, probably wouldn't be here today).
- Spent my first 18 months out of college exploring my career options until I came across infrastructure; was smitten since!
Plenty of international students get offers. In fact the American pool of candidates has diminished (consulting and tech have become more popular, especially as banking pay has been muted last 2 years) so it’s a decent time and most banks sponsor
A couple thoughts though—you’d do well to lose the BB or bust focus. 1) It’s a distinction that doesn’t encompass all top banks 2) recruiting is partially a roll of the dice and I’ve seen many who didn’t cast a wide enough net come up completely empty
It’s far easier to get “in” to the banking world and move around as needed as your goals become more defined. Don’t be the guy who emails “lesser” shops at the end of the process when you’ve been cut elsewhere, nothing comes across less sincere and you’ll be dinged immediately
Biggest tip for internationals (which is the hardest thing to “teach”) is try your absolute best to be relaxed and personable. It’s not your fault you grew up in a different environment but the reality is the stereotype that often gets fulfilled is that international students have a tough time with communicating. Sometimes we get absurd / awkward emails, or idioms are missed out on, or there is such a severe disconnect in sip circle convos that it’s easier to pick the guy/girl who is keeping up without effort
Best of luck!
Was thinking BB primarily because their size would imply them having an easier time justifying sponsorship vs. other shops.
Any suggestions on names I should keep an eye on? I assume you mean the usual EBs, if not would appreciate you pointing me in the right direction!
If you mean the Jeffries/TPH/PWP of the world, I'm open to those as well.
Ultimately, would look to do 2-3 years as an associate then move into PE, ideally infrastructure/energy. I don't have the IB background to make the jump directly into PE nor would I be comfortable doing that, want to use an Associate stint to sharpen the skillset.
On the tip for internationals; noted. I was mostly raised in the US & Canada, went to college in the Northeast, so I don't expect that to be an issue. I can imagine this being an issue for others though.
There is many threads that discuss a lack of OCR for IB in London. Normally LBS, but I assume the same point is amplified at Oxbridge. If willing to go T15, why not also an LBS application?
Thanks - Im new here! I have a few professional contacts at MM firms' and bigger banks' London offices from my current role (as a client) that I'll look to keep warm ahead of matriculating. Trust that will come in handy as UK/EU MBA cycles are shorter and no baked-in internship spots.
Not a fan of LBS simply because of high COL + LBS has a bad rap as an easy in. number of people I know in there and their calibers does not inspire confidence in investing any money/time into LBS/UK/EU schools; at that point, I'll just do an EMBA and call it quits on moving to NY/London.
Here's one such thread, and the most recent. https://www.wallstreetoasis.com/forum/school/mba-hire-in-london-vanishi…
I was too lazy to find it earlier.
From what I've seen of Oxbridge students, the caliber is honestly worse and yet all three schools have acceptance rates of 20-30%.
What is your nationality?
I'm from the GCC, very unconventional background though
Would you ever want to go back? I'm a bigger fan of LBS in the alternate situation, esp with your background.
But ofc M7 is king. I think if you post on r/mba and GMATclub you'll get some more diverse answers with regards to being international.
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