MSF Program Options – Viability for Breaking into IB
Hi everyone,
Looking for honest feedback as I weigh a few MSF offers. I’m a 35-year-old non-traditional candidate working to break into investment banking, ideally within healthcare M&A, and eventually transition into private equity or corporate development in the healthcare space.
My background:
- B.A. in Economics
- Interned post-grad at two boutique healthcare-focused IB firms
- Pivoted to clinical medicine and completed post-bacc premedical program
- From 2018 to 2021, I was studying for the MCAT while also managing a health complications (diagnosed in 2019)
- I ultimately had surgery in 2021 and received a clean bill of health — that period gave me the space to reflect and reaffirm that my true passion is finance
- Since then, I’ve recommitted fully to IB:
- Earned my California real estate license
- Completed the FMVA certification
- Joined WSO Academy, where I’m currently doing their equity research internship
I’ve built up my technical foundation and I know exactly what I’m working toward — this isn’t exploratory for me.
MSF Program Status:
✅ Admitted to several MSF programs
My Concern:
I’ll be 35 when I start the program and 36 by the time I graduate. I know the typical IB analyst profile is 22–27 years old. I’m not delusional about breaking into a bulge bracket — I’m focused on healthcare-focused boutiques and MM firms where I can add value from day one.
But I want to know:
Is it still viable to break into IB via MSF at 36? Or am I too far outside the hiring window for this to be worth the investment?
Would genuinely appreciate any insight from those who’ve broken in later or know how MSF programs treat older candidates.
Thanks in advance — I welcome all honest takes.
Breaking into investment banking at 36 is challenging but not impossible, especially if you’re targeting healthcare-focused boutiques and middle-market (MM) firms. Based on the most helpful WSO content, here’s what you need to know:
1. Age in IB Recruiting
2. MSF as a Pathway
3. Healthcare Focus as a Strength
4. Realistic Expectations
5. Networking is Critical
6. Long-Term Perspective
Final Take:
It’s not too late, but the road will require persistence, strategic networking, and a clear focus on healthcare boutiques/MM firms. If you’re admitted to Fordham, it’s likely your best bet due to its NYC location and network. However, Boston College and Miami can also work if you maximize their resources and alumni connections.
Your unique background and commitment to this path can set you apart — just be ready to hustle and prove your value.
Sources: Latest age to break into IB, Medical School --> IBanking, Starting as IB analyst at age 27, An old man looking for advice, https://www.wallstreetoasis.com/forum/job-search/ibd-sa-after-graduation?customgpt=1
If I wanted a ChatGPT generated answer, I wouldn’t have posted my question on WSO.
Then don’t post a ChatGPT generated question
I posted a ChatGPT generated question to articulate my question clearly. I wasn't expecting a chatbot to answer. The objective of even asking my question on this forum was to gain insight from people and their shared experiences.
Nothing more.
Why not MBA?? Msf is more for college students that failed to recruit FT and need an extension.
also what was your employment history:
1. between graduating college and post-baccalaureate? unless post-baccs are 4 years
2. between 2018-2025? just saying unemployed & studying for MCAT doesn't sound good to an employer.
Appreciate the questions — here’s the reality.
Between 2021 and 2025, I actively explored multiple paths: I earned my California real estate license, made several serious attempts to enter U.S. MD programs, and briefly pursued opportunities in tech and healthcare consulting. None resulted in long-term roles, but I wasn’t sitting idle — I was navigating real setbacks, gaining perspective, and ultimately realigning my career toward finance with full commitment.
On the MBA — that’s not an option. I don’t meet the minimum full-time work experience required by top programs. As someone in the finance industry, you know that without 2–4 years of W-2 experience, you're not even getting looked at by a T20 MBA. The MSF is the only structured, resume-validating pathway I can take to re-enter the field at this point.
It’s not a traditional path — but I’m not looking for a traditional outcome. I’ve got IB internship experience, technical training (FMVA, WSO Academy), and a clear focus on breaking into healthcare IB. MSF is just the platform — I’ll be doing the heavy lifting.
Holy chatgpt
-
obtaining real estate license ≠ working as a realtor.
So if a recruiter asks "what did you do between the years X and Y?", your answer is "getting a RE license i didn't use and never sold a house. also applied to med school & consulting jobs and didn't get any."
i'm sorry but that is not a good story for IB. putting it through chatgpt doesn't add "clarity" either.
i'm sorry.
why mention a license a horse can get without any work experience? it doesn't seem relevant, necessary, or valuable if you're not working in real estate.
I know someone who's class of 2013 undergrad who's interning at an EB this summer and is class of 2026 of their M7 business school. So they're maybe, what...34 as a summer associate?
I say this to say, its definitely 100% on the older end but you'd have better luck with an MBA. I know it's gonna be pricier, and more time since it pushes your timeline out further. You'd be starting at 36, and a summer associate at 37.
I agree: MBA is a cleaner and more traditional path, especially for someone switching into IB in their mid-30s. If I had 3–5 years of full-time, brand-name work experience, I’d absolutely be applying to M7/T15 programs. But the reality is, I don’t meet the minimum experience threshold, so I wouldn’t even make it past the first filter at most of those schools.
That’s why I’m taking the MSF route. It’s not ideal — I know that. But it’s the most realistic vehicle available to reenter finance with structure, alumni access, and a legitimate platform. I’m targeting healthcare-focused boutiques and MM firms, not bulge brackets, and I’m building a highly specific story backed by IB internships, FMVA, and WSO Academy.
Not the usual route, but I’m not expecting usual outcomes. Just looking to get in, prove myself, and climb from there.
I mean sidebar but ChatGPT for your responses lol.
Not trying to be a dick, but you are too old to be an analyst and no one is going to hire you based off that. Analyst programs are meant for kids from school (or a few years out at most) to take orders and spend a few grueling years to launchpad the rest of their career and perhaps even be the bank's clients down the road (at least theoretically). However, there is A LOT more flexibility at the post-MBA associate level and you'd be able to skip the analyst years if you were able to get into an MBA program and really polish yourself to be a senior banker one day which 95% of analysts from school will not reach. The % retention goes up much more significantly for older MBAs.
If this path is not possible, you need to seriously look into other careers imo.
Yeah OPs given a good explaination why MBA doesn't work for him. I think the hope would be him coming in at the associate level to either a boutique or a MM though.
I get where you’re coming from.
That said, I’ve already acknowledged that an MBA isn’t a viable path for me. I applied to several programs last year — some even granted GMAT waivers — but I was ultimately rejected due to a lack of full-time, quality work experience. So while I understand your logic, the post-MBA associate route just isn’t on the table.
I’ve heard the “you’re too old” argument before — same thing I was told when I was pursuing medicine. But I kept showing up, adapting, and moving forward.
Because at this point, what other option do I have left if I’m committed to building a career in finance?
I’m not chasing prestige or a traditional path. I’m chasing a shot — one door, one seat — to prove I belong and deliver. If that path truly doesn’t exist, I’ll accept it and pivot. But I’m not going to walk away without exhausting every angle.
Why do you want IB so bad? You’re going to be crushed as an analyst and pretty much give up the remainder of your 30s for mediocre analyst pay. I suppose if it all works out you’d be associate after that which is good but again that’s going to be a grueling 2-3 years and employers have no incentive to hire you for such a role.
There’s many goals you can have in life, but understand that if after all your efforts you finally break in, you haven’t really “made it” that’s when the grind just starts. I’d rather put the effort at this point into something that can actually gives a real big payout outcome.
Evidence suggests that you won't, since you posted this same set of questions 3 months ago. Overwhelming consensus was that the path doesn't exist.
In fact, 3 months ago I said to you:
"The worst thing you could possibly do at this juncture is to spend another year or two pursing some other academic pursuit, or going to get an MBA or whatever, just to come out the other side 2 years older and deeper in debt and still with zero experience.
We both know that's likely what you'll do, and you'll be back here in two years to complain about it, but I am taking this shot right now for you to try and help you avoid that outcome because I do, truly, honestly, want to see you change your trajectory.
What you need to do is demonstrate an ability to work at something successfully. That is what is missing from your resume. You have no skills and you have no experience, and you have nothing that suggests you know how to hustle.
Go get a job selling cars, or sell real estate (you already have a license). Do something, anything, for a year or two that will show that you can go to work every day and do what you're told and actually accomplish something. That is what will open doors for you at this point in your life. Get a job and go to work."
It genuinely makes me sad that you're doing exactly what I thought you would do, the literal worst possible choice you could make at this point in your life. You're a 35 year old man who's never had a job. When you graduate from your MSF you'll be a 36 year old man who's never had a job.
Go get a job.
You're willing to do anything except... get a job. Which is the only thing that will help you in the situation you're in.
X
Thanks for putting together such a clear and honest profile — it shows a lot of reflection and intentionality, which is key when making a pivot like this. Here's a candid breakdown of your situation:
✅ What You Have Going for You
🚩 Challenges to Address Honestly
🎯 What’s Viable? And How to Make It Work
Yes, breaking into IB at 36 via MSF is possible, but only if:
🔄 Alternative to Consider (If You Haven’t Already)
Deferred MBA or Specialized MBA programs (1-year track) at places like Emory, Vanderbilt, or even Columbia’s J-term (for those with entrepreneurial/finance experience) could be worth exploring — especially if Fordham doesn’t pan out. You’re very borderline for MSF vs MBA.
Bottom Line: Honest Take
If you land Fordham, accept immediately. If not, BC is viable, but you’ll need to be relentless on the networking front.
Happy to help you map out a tactical plan (emails, networking strategy, firm lists, etc.) if you move forward. You're clearly serious, and this path can work — but it’ll demand hustle and precision.
Let me know how you'd like to proceed.
This is the stupidest thing I've ever heard, you're 35, joined the WSO Academy (lmao) and are considering a MSF, even bigger lmao. Neither of these things are 1. meant for people that are 15 years out of university (I dont give a fuck what the recruiters at WSO or the MSF's told you, they'll say anything to get ur money, no bank in the world wants to recruit a 35 year old analyst which is literally the only role that someone would recruit an MSF grad for). Also ur MSF isn't even a target or semi, at least try Georgetown. Regardless, none of this well help you break in whatsoever, as everyone else is telling you the only option is an MBA
agreed. no recruiter/bank/firm will be impressed by WSO academy. why bother mentioning?
i guess it's somewhat interesting on a high school/college resume but not valuable for a 30+ yr old 😅😅😅
MBA isn't an option for me.
—
^^^ facts. you can be successful & happy in other areas of finance. IB analyst is NOT worth the hassle at big age of 30+.
honestly OP can make decent money in insurance sales too at this point. better than nothing
No MBA would want to take their chance on someone who is 30+
no bank would take a chance on a 30+ person for an analyst position either. whereas, most people doing an MBA are like 27+
Where’s your logic?
I’ve literally mentioned time and time again that an MBA is just not an option for me. I have spent so much time on this thread explaining why.
I’ve tried for an MBA and I haven’t been successful.
dozens of people have mentioned time and time again that IB is not an option for you 😭 bro they spent time explaining how it's not possible for you either.
you've tried for IB and it's not successful. so what now? It's okay to explore other options that are fulfilling and financially lucrative and makes you money.
Other options will allow for greater chances for success/money than chasing IB right now.
Why are you so loyal and tied down to IB when it's a one-way relationship right now?
Could you suggest any viable alternatives if you firmly believe that IB is just not possible for me?
I’m eager to see just what your advice is, and since you’re so confident that IB is just not an option, why don’t you help me find something else.
if you cannot get into an MBA program, what makes you think you can get into IB, especially as a non-traditional applicant from a non target school with a mediocre GPA with 0 relevant background?
get into IB is leagues more difficult than getting into an MBA program.
Are you at least employed in something else to pay the bills while you try to get into IB?
You should still doing something else productive/meaningful to show employers & schools that you have skills & drive to work.
It's much harder to break into IB without 0 work experience. Even accounting gigs or managing an Aldi would add more credibility than unemployment.
I’ve just this entire thread explaining my background.
I'm not asking about your background/past experience. I'm asking what your current situation/employment is. What are you doing Right Now that is showing productivity/drive?
Not even working at McDonald's or doing any freelance work?
wrap it up unc
I walked in a casino and sat on a table. The dealer told me "your odds at this table is 1 out of 10." I would not play such table, but maybe someone else would.
In your case, the odds is 1 out of 100, but someone may try.
seriously, i'll personally give you a referral if you can give me a convincing answer as to why you would make a good banker and why I should pick you over other applicants - what is the X factor and value add that you have that other applicants don't.
Deleted
giving you a chance and this is how you respond?
I think this guy used someone's LinkedIn profile and ragebaited it for this post
What does that even mean?
I haven’t used anyone’s LinkedIn other than my own.
Acutally after reading your posting history, and viewing your LinkedIn, I think you're either the greatest long standing troll of all time or seriously delusional.
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