Ok to let managers know you are applying to bschool?

So I'm approaching the end of my 1st year as an analyst at a BB and am getting ready to take the GMAT this summer with a plan of submitting bschool apps this fall for admission in fall 08. My question is how open should I be about my plans at the office. I'd need to ask for recommendations which would be a dead giveaway that I'm applying..but I'm concerned that this is a signal to my manager that I'm leaving after 2 years and he shouldn't consider me for a 3rd year promote or a big 2nd year bonus.

Also, anybody have tips for balancing the gmat with work? Anyone have any reviews of Manhattan GMAT?

9 Comments
 
Best Response

I'm going to have to disagree with Jimbo. When interviewing, my bank specifically pushed that they have great exit ops and write great recommendations for outgoing analysts. They know that it is a 2 year gig and don't -expect- me to stay on. Also, there are a ton of people who don't stay on to pursue other jobs rather than b-school after their two years finish. You think they start interviewing after the 2 years are up? Nope, they line up jobs 6 months in advance.

My point is, it is expected that you are leaving. Staying on for the 3rd year would probably give you an advantage but not staying on won't put you on the shit list.

As for the GMAT, I just registered to take the test mid June before work starts. My book search told me that the Official Guides and the Princeton Review were the best books. I ordered the OG and a set of Manhattan GMAT (more specialized) books. I'm just going to plow through them and pray for the best. Because your time is limited I suggest you spend 90% of your free time studying. A big part of being successful is repeated exposure and practice.

Goodluck!

CompBanker’s Career Guidance Services: https://www.rossettiadvisors.com/
 

It's good to hear you had that happen Comp. Friends of mine who went to bschool and told their managers about it definitely got dinged on their bonuses.

I see you haven't started yet. If you take nothing else from this, remember that what ppl say in interviews and what happens in real life can be different.

 

Jimbo

I thought that the majority of 2nd years don't make it to 3rd year? So, why would the manager be pissed off for coming up with a viable alternative instead of hoping for the slim chance of a 3rd year stint?

 

Jimbo,

After accepting the offer I had a chance to talk with a number of the current analysts. Because it was a small shop, almost everyone was familiar with what the other analysts were doing after their 2nd year was up. I'm quite sure it was not just some technique to entice me to accept their offer.

And yes, I certainly agree that what you hear in interviews should be accepted cautiously. Fortunately for me, I was given a chance to have lengthy conversations post-acceptance.

CompBanker’s Career Guidance Services: https://www.rossettiadvisors.com/
 

Pariatur molestias fugit quia. Illo dolor excepturi eos qui. Quos consequatur impedit est eius.

Veniam mollitia voluptas ut beatae aliquam iure. Ut quidem nemo deleniti cupiditate aut. Et eum laboriosam culpa tenetur et. Consequatur et exercitationem veniam dolor. Et provident ut dolor rerum laboriosam assumenda.

Est itaque sint amet facilis ullam velit. Ducimus quas magni aut vitae. Fuga occaecati nihil et ipsum ad rerum omnis.

Officiis quam et asperiores voluptas rem. Quidem est ea odit omnis incidunt laudantium. Ullam rem eos totam harum ut. Ut hic et cupiditate nisi voluptatem. Reprehenderit et quam quo quidem dolore fugit blanditiis. Dolor enim maxime nostrum distinctio et et quia. Minus et aspernatur est reiciendis laborum.

Career Advancement Opportunities

November 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 99.0%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.4%
  • Guggenheim Partners 02 97.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 97.4%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

November 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.5%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 99.0%
  • Evercore 01 98.4%
  • Banco Santander 04 97.9%
  • BMO Capital Markets 13 97.4%

Professional Growth Opportunities

November 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 99.0%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.9%
  • JPMorgan No 97.4%

Total Avg Compensation

November 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (17) $409
  • Associates (58) $261
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (29) $183
  • Intern/Summer Associate (16) $161
  • 1st Year Analyst (84) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (77) $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
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...”