MBA after IB? When?

Hi,

Should I do an MBA from a top 5 MBA program in the US after x years at a bulge bracket in Dubai? Is the MBA worth the pay cut (considering taxes) in the US for a potential exit into PE/HF? Should I go after 2 years?

5 Comments
 

You won't get into PE/HF from MBA without working in those fields prior to MBA - especially if you are international. Also, APAC/Middle East experience is pretty discounted in the US, even at a BB.

If you want PE/HF best path is to transfer internally to NYC office, work a year or two in the US, and try to land a PE job directly from IB associate. But truthfully the visa/sponsorship situation is very difficult in the US, so unless you already have immigration issues sorted, a spot in US PE is going to be pretty tough to land.

 

Why discounted? I was working in the Middle East and it was the same learning experience and exposure (only smaller deals) I had as in the US?

After how many years should I do the MBA then without internal transfer and If I want to go to PE/HF? Or should I just stay in Dubai due to the huge pay cut and opportunity cost of going to the US?

 

Dignissimos at sit ab. Quia impedit suscipit at sunt aut molestias ipsa. Vero autem quidem sed culpa quam veritatis fuga.

Career Advancement Opportunities

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.3%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.5%
  • Morgan Stanley 03 98.9%
  • Evercore 01 98.4%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.9%
  • 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 97.9%
  • JPMorgan No 97.3%

Total Avg Compensation

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (51) $260
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (26) $182
  • Intern/Summer Associate (15) $159
  • 1st Year Analyst (84) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (76) $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
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
7
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
8
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
9
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
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...”