Prerequisite: Calculus II for MBA

I am going to give my background first so the context can be set for my question.

Context* In my last year of undergrad finance/accounting. Recently accepted an IB Analyst (generalist) role that starts in June 2018. Plan from now until the start is to read books (The Everything Store, Shoe Dog, etc), study and take GMAT, and study for Series Exams (79 & 7). Career plan is to stay in IB and work up the ladder. However, I want to have everything in order for B-School in case my career aspirations change and I want to pursue an MBA at a Top 10 program 3-5 years from now.

Question* Registering for my last semester of undergrad classes this week. Calculus is not required for my degree; however, I took Calc I this fall to better prepare myself in general. Is Calc I or Calc II a required prerequisite for a Top 10 MBA (Wharton, Harvard, Stern, Cornell, Columbia, Booth)? If not, plan would be to take some other electives that interest me more.

Thank you in advance for you comments.

4 Comments
 
Best Response

Not sure if you're asking if it's a required prerequisite to get into a top school or if its a required prerequisite in order to do well in b school. Either way, the answer is a resounding "no". Top schools care about your major which is finance/accounting so you're fine. They'd only look at individual classes if you were something like an English major and they wanted to make sure you can handle quant classes.

Take something you'd enjoy learning about and that you'll get a good grade in. An "A" in underwater basket-weaving is going to do you better than a "B" in calc 2. Besides, you're not going to remember anything from a college calc class 3-5 years down the line.

Source: Headed to Columbia next year.

 

Thank you. I did not clarify on whether I was referencing being successful or getting in; however, it is great to know the answer on both. Good luck at Columbia next year.

M
 

Second that there's absolutely no need to take Calc II. Enjoy yourself this year.

Also, don't spend any time until training starts studying for the series exams (assume you mean 79 and 63 since 79 and 7 are redundant). The exams are easy, and your training with your bank will give you more than enough study time.

GMAT is a good call, but read fun interesting stuff, enjoy yourself, and travel a little if you have the financial ability to do so.

 

Iusto quisquam reprehenderit laudantium ratione hic quidem. Aut aut dolor incidunt. Modi recusandae exercitationem molestiae quis dignissimos. Et vitae quis velit voluptatum recusandae magnam.

Sed sapiente dolor dolor quia qui quia qui molestias. Et nostrum hic iure doloribus at quaerat. Corrupti aliquid corrupti fugit et ipsam porro. Laboriosam eum quod omnis sequi. Explicabo ut commodi doloremque dolore non ullam.

Est quisquam qui cumque at rerum. Et qui rerum eligendi illum voluptatum error et nesciunt. Dolores eveniet iusto atque et.

M

Career Advancement Opportunities

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.3%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.7%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Evercore No 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 01 98.3%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.7%
  • Banco Santander 01 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 98.3%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.7%
  • JPMorgan 01 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (15) $434
  • Associates (46) $258
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (13) $156
  • 1st Year Analyst (79) $150
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (73) $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
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
5
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
6
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
7
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
8
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
9
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
10
numi's picture
numi
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...”