MBA worth it after top EB?

I'm an incoming SA at a top EB (EVR / CVP) and am considering applying deferred to business school. Coming from a target school (although not H/P/Y/S), would it be worth it to apply to one? Is this even a sought after path any more or one that would substantially help me considering the opportunity cost? I would largely only be considering HBS or GSB if that helps. I might be thinking about this too far out, but the applications would be due this year.

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The deferred programs are really aimed to attract non-traditional MBA candidates (STEM, humanities majors) who won't be back in 2-4 years like most finance guys will. 2+2 type programs are a real uphill battle being an overrepresented major (assuming finance/econ) and overrepresented career. HBS literally says on their website preference is given to people in career paths that don't lead to an MBA.

As for the value of the MBA, it's a tossup. If you want to stay in banking, don't even consider it. Some PEs still kick their associates out and require them to go to B school or a new firm, but I'd say that cohort gets smaller every year. MBAs are becoming less and less important to move up in PE.

It doesn't hurt you to apply, and some finance guys do sneak in but it's an extremely small percentage. My only pause is that the recommendation letter process is a bit arduous and it'd be hard to ask the same people to write letters again in 2-3 years. The GMAT is also good for 5 years - I wouldn't take it right now because you're wasting 1.5 years of that time frame with still being in college, but if you're really bored senior spring and want to knock it out while still in "study" mode that's not a bad idea.

 

Appreciate the reply.

Definitely makes sense. Still not sure what the next step would be, but it can't hurt to at least apply and have that in my back pocket as an option later on.

 

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